CAL FOOTBALL
Bruce Adams, Chronicle Staff Writer
Seattle -- Last year it became a romp, with Cal beating Washington 42-12 at Husky Stadium. This year it's the same place but different circumstances. Cal has lost many regulars and is a team with a big question at quarterback. Washington, meanwhile, has a new coach and a new philosophy. One thing probably won't change when the Bears and the Huskies open Pac-10 play today: Cal will rely on its running game. The Bears won last year largely on the strength of a running game that gained 304 yards -- 121 by then-starting tailback J.J. Arrington and a matching 121 by then-freshman Marshawn Lynch. Lynch, now a full-time back, certainly is occupying the thoughts of Washington's first-year coach, Tyrone Willingham.
"We try not to give out our secrets," he said, "but obviously we have a great deal of respect for him and what he has done last year and this year. He is, without question, maybe the best back in the conference. I say that knowing that you have a guy like Reggie Bush (USC) in the conference." Cal coach Jeff Tedford doesn't give away many secrets either. But he comes into the game with Lynch already beginning to live up to expectations after his 147-yard performance in last Saturday's 41-2 win over Sacramento State at Memorial Stadium. And the starting quarterback, Joe Ayoob, is coming off what he readily acknowledges as the worst game of his life. He was pulled last week after failing to complete a pass in 10 attempts as a replacement for injured starter Nate Longshore.
The Huskies have already had their run defense tested, losing 20-17 last Saturday to Air Force, a team grounded in the old-fashioned triple option. Air Force ran 52 times for 218 yards. "They rallied to the ball pretty well," Tedford said. "They just gave up one or two big plays and that was it. They are firing around, they are a disciplined group and they are playing well." Under Willingham, the Huskies have abandoned last year's offense, which was built around the passing of quarterback Casey Paus. "They are probably a little more balanced on offense now, running and throwing the football," Tedford said. This year's starting quarterback, Isaiah Stanback, is an accomplished passer (he was 19-of-27 for 242 yards and one touchdown against Air Force) and also a threat to run. Plus, tailback Louis Rankin ran for 112 yards in his first collegiate start. As for the Bears' balance on offense, that will depend on Ayoob, who needs to play closer to the form he showed in earning All-America honors last year at City College of San Francisco.
Ayoob should have plenty of potential targets in the passing game. His teammate at City College, and also a JC All-American, Lavelle Hawkins joins the lineup after sitting out last week to comply with NCAA transfer guidelines. Robert Jordan, the Bears' only returning starter at wide receiver, is also back after sitting out for disciplinary reasons. They will join true freshman DeSean Jackson, who scored on a 31-yard pass from Longshore and a 49-yard punt return against Sacramento State.
Today's game marks an unusually early conference game. Both teams return to nonconference play next week -- Cal against Illinois and Washington against Idaho. "I'm not a big fan of it," Tedford said. "I would prefer to play the nonconference games and then go into conference play, to gain some experience. But it's that way for both teams, so I guess it's not a disadvantage or advantage either way." Briefly: Linebacker Worrell Williams (ankle) and offensive lineman Noris Malele (knee) are probable; tight end John Rust (hamstring) is doubtful; and Longshore (ankle) and wide receiver Noah Smith (ankle) are out.
Today's game
Who: No. 16 Cal (1-0) at Washington (0-1)
When: 12:30 p.m.
TV: Channel: 7, Channel: 10
Radio: 810 AM
Story line: This game, the Pac-10 opener for the Bears and the Huskies, will reveal much about this Cal team and its prospects for the rest of the season. Joe Ayoob needs to fill the void at quarterback, showing the form that made him a standout at City College of San Francisco. If he doesn't, it could unleash a quarterback scramble and signal an uncertain future for the Bears. Coach Jeff Tedford hoped to have the issue settled last week. But starter Nate Longshore went down, probably for the season, and Ayoob struggled in his Division I debut. Washington, meanwhile, is a changing team -- with more balance on offense under new coach Tyrone Willingham.
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