Statesman Journal: Ducks face tough challenge this week at Cal

No. 11 Oregon will try to remain unbeaten this season

EUGENE -- The time to celebrate has not arrived for Oregon.  Sure, the Ducks looked impressive in Saturday's 48-13 rout of Arizona State. And Oregon is inching closer to the Top 10 in the polls, checking in at No. 11 this week.  But with a mega Pacific-10 Conference matchup Saturday at No. 16 California that could have Rose Bowl implications, the Ducks can't afford to get complacent. "You can never feel satisfied," tight end Dante Rosario said before Monday's practice. "At that moment when someone feels satisfied with a victory they just had, that's a chance for them to let up on the next game that they're gonna have. "And this definitely is a big game for us coming up."  Oregon certainly made a statement at ASU. It had been two weeks since the Ducks last game, and the 34-33 victory against Oklahoma was surrounded by controversy.

Beating ASU in convincing fashion -- the Ducks amassed 574 total yards to just 175 for the Sun Devils -- may have convinced some folks that Oregon defeated Oklahoma on its own merits, not a few missed calls in the last 72 seconds.  "We kind of proved to the nation that we weren't a joke and a referee couldn't have won the game for us," center Enoka Lucas said. "We just have to come out here and give it our all like we do every week."

While coach Mike Bellotti was pleased with Oregon's performance against ASU, he stopped short of saying that the Ducks have arrived.  "You can take some pride in the accomplishment, but it's the fourth game of the season and two-thirds of the season remains ahead of you," Bellotti said. "So it's more important to focus on the next game and the next opportunity than on what occurred."

Still, with a seven-game road winning streak dating back to the 2005 season, you have to like Oregon's chances at Cal. But depth on defense is a growing concern.  Defensive tackle Cole Linehan suffered a broken foot in the ASU game and is likely out for the remainder of the regular season. The Ducks have lost three starters -- cornerback Jackie Bates (broken leg against Fresno State), linebacker Brent Haberly (broken arm against Oklahoma), and Linehan -- in their past three games.  "We're beyond the point of concern," Bellotti said.

Defensive tackle Jeremy Gibbs (ankle), who missed the ASU game, and defensive end Victor Filipe, out the entire season thus far with a dislocated elbow, could be back for Cal.  Tailback Jonathan Stewart (ankle), who did not practice Monday, is expected to be back at practice today and be ready for Cal. He rushed for 142 yards on 12 carries at ASU. The Bears are coming off a 41-13 rout at Oregon State. They are led by quarterback Nate Longshore, who threw for 341 yards and four scores against the Beavers, and tailback Marshawn Lynch.  Bellotti called Cal "the most athletic team" Oregon will have played so far this season "across the board."  "We've got to treat this like any other game," said wide receiver Jaison Williams, who had a career-high 10 receptions against ASU. "We can't get over excited because often times in the past that kind of hurt us."