Sunday, September 25, 2005

Contra Costa Times: Cal always a threat when on the run

By Jay Heater
Look at the numbers, and it's pretty obvious that Cal has a Heisman Trophy candidate at starting tailback. Four starts, 76 carries, 615 yards. That's slightly better than eight yards per carry. That player would be a Heisman candidate if it was one guy.  But with Marshawn Lynch -- 29 carries for 193 yards -- having started the first two games before breaking a bone in his left hand and giving way to Justin Forsett, it isn't likely that either will get consideration for any major awards.  However, Cal coach Jeff Tedford finds himself in a pleasant predicament. How does he divide the snaps between his sophomore tailbacks once Lynch is back at full strength?  Forsett has rushed 47 times for 422 yards in his two starts. How do you keep him on the bench? And what do you do with junior tailback Marcus O'Keith, who appeared only briefly against New Mexico State on Friday night due to a thigh contusion, but who has averaged 11.9 yards per carry?  It might turn into the two-tailback system that Tedford utilized when he was offensive coordinator at Oregon. In 2001, both Maurice Morris and Onterrio Smith rushed for more than 1,000 yards.  Cal fans likely will find out soon. Cal's training staff wrapped Lynch's left hand until it looked like a pillow on Friday night. Tedford said that Lynch would have played if anything had happened to Forsett. With another week of practice, Lynch could be ready to go on Saturday against Arizona at Memorial Stadium.

Tedford's pick for a starter probably doesn't matter because the Bears' offensive line has made anyone lining up at tailback look like Marcus Allen. Forsett, who is 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, piled up 235 yards rushing in the 41-13 win over the Aggies. It was the fourth best rushing day ever by a Cal player.  The logical question is whether Lynch would have had 280 yards rushing, or 300?  Tedford really doesn't care, because the only numbers he cares about are 4 and 0.  Forsett agreed on Friday night that he only cares about wins and losses, too. Following Cal's sloppy win over New Mexico State, he pointed out that Cal's 350-pound offensive tackle Ryan O'Callaghan could have "taken it to the house" with the holes that were blown open in the Aggies' defense.  Actually, O'Callaghan probably wouldn't have gotten very far because he wouldn't have himself as the leading blocker. He has crushed anything in his path this season.  The Bears rushed for 311 yards on Friday despite having Lynch and O'Keith unavailable. Anyone who touched the ball found a yellow brick road in front of them.  Forsett averaged 7.6 yards per carry. Quarterback Joe Ayoob scored three rushing touchdowns. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson ran an end around for 15 yards and fullback Chris Manderino burst 14 yards on a simple off Callaghan play. It appears that anyone with legs and eyes can play tailback at Cal these days. "The offensive did a great job," Ayoob said. "There were huge holes."

Ayoob says that Forsett has the talent to make the most of his opportunties. "He can hit the smallest crease and get through it," Ayoob said. "As a quarterback, it's great to turn around and watch him breaking tackles. Two-hundred and thirty-five yards ... that's outstanding."  Those numbers were accumulated without starting left tackle Andrew Cameron and starting right guard Aaron Merz, both out with concussions. They could be back Saturday.  So whomever lines up behind Ayoob might not matter.

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