John Crumpacker
A fellow named Quizz is going to put Cal's defense to the test on Saturday at Oregon State. Jacquizz Rodgers, the Beavers' dynamic running back, can make defenses look silly with his start-and-stop moves and quickness. The junior has rushed for 621 yards and 10 touchdowns this season to go with 15 receptions for 128 yards and two scores. "He's a guy that keeps you awake at night," Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. Tedford, who has been known to sleep in his office, was asked if game-planning for Rodgers really causes him to lose sleep.
"Well, Clancy is, I'm sure," said Tedford, referring to defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast. "They have plenty of other things that keep me up at night. I have a lot of confidence in our defense. Except for those two games (Nevada, USC), they did an excellent job." Rodgers is only 5-foot-7 but that works to his advantage because he can be difficult to spot behind his offensive line. When he does make contact with a defender, he packs a lot of power in his 191 pounds. He also has the ability to make tacklers miss, and can outrun them, as well.
"The challenge that he brings is really everything," Tedford said. "He catches the ball well out of the backfield, he blocks, he's so strong. If he jumps sideways on you, you've got to get on that or he'll be gone. You can't arm tackle him. You can never go to sleep on him."
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