Friday, November 11, 2005

Contra Costa Times: STACKED BACKFIELDS

CAL AND USC HAVE TWO PREMIER TAILBACKS, AND THEY ALL LIKE TO SHARE
By Jay Heater
Despite his commitment to the USC game plan, there are moments when Reggie Bush ponders -- only momentarily, mind you -- what would happen if he had to shoulder the load alone. As it is -- and as will be on display today at Memorial Stadium, where the No. 1 Trojans will play Cal -- Bush splits time at tailback with LenDale White, a guy who has run for 2,016 yards and 29 touchdowns over the past 22 games.
As good as those two are, they have not cornered the market on rushing talent in today's game. Cal's Marshawn Lynch (842 yards) and Justin Forsett (899) could be the Bears' best chance at recreating the excitement of the teams' 2003 meeting, when Cal beat USC in triple overtime at Memorial Stadium. At a time when coaches search every corner of the United States to find a consistent 100-yards-a-game rusher, USC and Cal have two apiece. And not only do those running backs tolerate a rotation that limits their touches, they actually get along. ``Obviously, when you are being recruited, you're thinking you want to be the main guy,'' Bush said. ``I didn't think about splitting time at USC, but at the same time, it has worked out. We've been doing well the last three years. We might not have been as successful if it wasn't for LenDale. He has accounted for 15 touchdowns this season. Take him out of the equation and we lose a lot of points.
``It's something that you learn to adjust to over time. Rather than complain, I learned to make the best of it. We both learned that we bring something different to the table. It's hard for a defense to play the both of us, because they have to use different tackling styles.'' With 119 teams playing Division I-A football, tailbacks can disappear in the crowd if they are not putting up eye-popping numbers. Bush is a front-runner for the Heisman Trophy, but he ranks only fourth in the conference in rushing, at 113.6 yards a game. Lynch is third at 120.3 yards per game, White fifth at 101.4 and Forsett sixth at 99.9 yards a game.
Lynch and Forsett, too, are complimentary of each other and say they concentrate on team success. ``I feed off Marshawn,'' Forsett said. ``I watch him make a big play, and then he comes off the field smiling. It's exciting. And once he comes off, he tries to help me, telling me what he saw. ``I know that it would be tough if I didn't have all the other guys around me. We are a family here.'' It's a family that worries USC Coach Pete Carroll, whose team has not lost since that game at Memorial Stadium two years ago. ``Forsett is averaging 8 yards a carry and it's hard to imagine that you can do any better than that,'' Carroll said. ``Lynch has the special ability where a clean tackle hits him and it just doesn't factor in. They have a big 1-2 punch.''
But Cal Coach Jeff Tedford worries most about the first punch coming from Bush.``If there is a better player in America, I haven't seen him,'' Tedford said. ``It is amazing what he does. The difference in him this year is that he is much more physical. This year he will put his shoulder down and try to run you over. I've seen him mature with his strength. He used to be just a quick, fast guy.'' Bush said he is just pleased to be a part of an offense that has been rated as one of the best ever. ``It's been a dream season. We've been winning and we've pulled through close games. It definitely has been special. I know I might never again play on a team this dominant. I know that I have a chance to be a part of history. It gives me a sense of pride.''

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