First look: California
September 29th, 2008, 12:31 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Dan Zeiger
Arizona State at California
12:30 p.m. Saturday; Memorial Stadium; Berkeley, Calif.
California has concerns at quarterback, but no worries about the man who snaps the ball. Center Alex Mack is the Pac-10’s best at his position.
Usually, a 42-7 victory suggests a dominating performance by the offense, but California’s rout of Colorado State last week — yes, Virginia, the Pac-10 can beat the Mountain West Conference — is an exception.
The Golden Bears scored touchdowns via a blocked punt, interception and punt return, camouflaging offensive shortcomings that have coach Jeff Tedford contemplating a quarterback change before Saturday’s contest against Arizona State.
Tedford’s offense is second in the conference and 20th in the nation in total yardage, but first-string QB Kevin Riley completed just six passes for 59 yards against Colorado State and was replaced by Nate Longshore, the starter the last two seasons.
“We weren’t sharp in the passing game,” Tedford said. “If a guy didn’t play well, you have to look at making adjustments.”
California definitely will have a new running back. Jahvid Best, he of the close-up vomit shot in the Golden Bears’ upset loss at Maryland on Sept. 13, suffered a dislocated elbow last week and will miss at least one game. He is averaging 105.3 yards rushing a contest this season.
After the Maryland loss, California responded with more contact during practice.
“Coach Tedford did his part not to let happen again,” linebacker Zack Follett said. “We had tough, physical practices. We did more hitting than we’ve ever done in a week.”
With no game last week, ASU took a similar practice approach, ramping up aggression following consecutive losses against Nevada-Las Vegas and Georgia.
BURNING ISSUE: The injury list has not reached Washington State-level proportions, but the Golden Bears are limping at key positions. Best was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on Monday to determine how long he will be sidelined. He joins guard Chris Guarnero (toe; out for season) and tackle Mike Tepper (pectoral) as spectators on offense. Defensive end Rulon Davis is out for six weeks with a leg ailment, and safety Bernard Hicks missed the Colorado State game with a bruised thigh.
OFFENSIVE SNAPSHOT: It is somewhat remarkable that California’s offense is as statistically-highly-ranked as it is, considering that Riley has yet to find a groove with his receivers. Best was the team’s leading pass-catcher (with three receptions) against Colorado State, and the only wide receiver with more than one catch was LaReylle Cunningham. The Golden Bears, as usual, have depth at running back, so Best’s absence should not be a crushing blow. Backup Shane Vereen is averaging 8.0 yards a carry (35 rushes for 279 yards) this season.
DEFENSIVE SNAPSHOT: California employs a 3-4 base formation, which the Sun Devils have not yet encountered this season. (Northern Arizona used a three-man front, with three linebackers and five defensive backs.) Save for the Maryland game, the Golden Bears have been solid, with the linebacking corps of Follett, Worrell Williams, Anthony Felder and Eddie Young — one of the top groups in the nation — serving as the defense’s engine. Syd’Quan Thompson is one of the Pac-10’s top cornerbacks.
UNSUNG HERO: This selection is unusual, because center Alex Mack is hardly unsung. However, at a position that the casual fan does not give much attention, Mack should be receiving more. It is not a stretch to suggest that he is the best offensive player, period, in the Pac-10. The 316-pounder with smarts and superb blocking skills figures to have a bright NFL future, and as the Golden Bears try to avoid the late-season swoons that have plagued them, Mack will be a valuable leader by example.
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