Oregonian: Cal vs OSU Game Overview

BEAVERS TO WATCH

No. 26 RB Yvenson Bernard: The Doak Walker Award candidate has rushed for more than 100 yards in eight of his last 11 games. Last season, in OSU's 23-20 upset of No. 18 California at Memorial Stadium, Bernard carried a career-high 42 times for a career-high 194 yards and scored two touchdowns. It was the highest rushing total in the Pacific-10 Conference in 2005. The Cal defense might key in on Bernard this week, but he probably needs a big game if the Beavers have a chance at an upset. In the last 11 games, the OSU workhorse has rushed for 1,437 yards (130.6 average) and 14 touchdowns.

No. 8 QB Matt Moore: The Beavers' oft-maligned senior could be the center of attention against Cal if the Bears sell out to stop the run -- daring Moore to beat them with his right arm. Moore heard boos last week against Idaho (he completed 16 of 31 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown, with one interception), and some fans think OSU coach Mike Riley should go with redshirt freshman backup Sean Canfield. Moore was 21 of 34 for 196 yards last season against Cal, but he threw three interceptions. Riley said his quarterback has to take better care of the ball and be careful when he throws in the vicinity of Bears cornerback Daymeion Hughes, tied for the most NCAA interceptions with five.

WHAT THE BEAVERS ARE SAYING

"They're better than any team we've faced. They've got good team speed, good athletic ability, terrific talent, a dynamic running game that makes them hard to defend. . . . We need to get better because our opponents' ability level is going to rise dramatically." -- Riley, talking about the challenge facing OSU

"They're a good team, but I don't want to make it all about them because we can beat them. There's things I notice, but that's just me. I might be a little off or crazy or something, but I've noticed they have some things they do that we can beat." -- OSU defensive tackle Curtis Coker, who returns to action Saturday after serving a one-game suspension for violating an unspecified team rule

 

BEARS TO WATCH

No. 1 WR DeSean Jackson: The speedy 6-foot, 166-pound sophomore is one of the most exciting players in the Pac-10. He has seven touchdowns in four games. Last week, Jackson ran back a punt 80 yards for a touchdown in Cal's 49-21 win over Arizona State. In 15 career games, the former Long Beach (Calif.) Poly star has 15 touchdowns -- 13 receiving and two on punt returns. He has caught touchdown passes in six consecutive games, which ties him for the NCAA Division I-A lead. Jackson could make life miserable for OSU cornerbacks Keenan Lewis and Brandon Hughes.

No. 9 QB Nate Longshore: The 6-5, 233-pound sophomore had a rough afternoon at Tennessee in the Bears' 35-18 season-opening loss, but he's been red-hot since, completing 55 of 80 passes (68.8 percent) for 795 yards and 10 touchdowns in his last three games. Longshore leads the Pac-10 in passing efficiency. He had his second four-touchdown game of the season last week against Arizona State. Longshore earned the starting job in the 2005 preseason but broke his leg in the second quarter of the Bears' opener against Sacramento State. He riddled the Sun Devils last week; what will he do against an OSU secondary that has allowed one touchdown pass this season?

 

WHAT THE BEARS ARE SAYING

"It's difficult. It's a tough environment there. We've always had a difficult time playing there. It's not the loudest place in the conference, but it's a hostile environment, no question. They play very well at home." -- Cal coach Jeff Tedford on Reser Stadium, perhaps forgetting that his team won 49-7 the last time it set foot in the place

"I don't know how you play much better than Daymeion's playing right now. It seems like every time they throw the ball his way, he's either getting his hand on it or intercepting the ball. He studies the game so well. When the ball comes in his direction, he has a great instinct to go get it. . . . I would find it very hard to think that anybody could play much better than he's playing right now." -- Tedford on cornerback Daymeion Hughes, one of the best pass defenders in the country

 

TRIVIA

OSU linebacker Eric Moala-Liava'a is linked to an important milestone in the Beavers' football history, and it involves the California Golden Bears. What happened the night of Nov. 6, 1999, and what does it have to do with Moala-Liava'a? For the answer, go to the Behind the Beavers Beat blog at behindbeaversbeat.blogs. oregonlive.com or see The Sunday Oregonian.