Bad news for the Bears

Looks like some bad news for the Bears.  Michael Calvin, a WR, had his knee give way during practice and seems like he may be out for awhile.  Though Calvin has not produced much this season, he was expected to become the top receiver on the team.  David Seawright, our kicker, has a pulled groin and is unlikely to play this Saturday as well.  Furthermore, Tyson Alualu, a starting DE and arguably our best rusher, has a leg infection and a fever that has him walking around on a crutch.  His status for Saturday is unknown.  Credit to Jonathan Okanes for the news.

Update: Looks like Calvin is out for the year with a torn ACL.  Tedford also announced Nate Longshore as the starting quarterback for the Arizona game.

RB of the future?

Cal has gone a long time without picking up a commitment from a new player.  That changed today with Dasarte Yarnway, a 6’0″ 210 lbs running back committing to the Bears.  Yarnway is rated as the 23rd best running back in the nation, and a 4 star recruit by Scout.com.  He looks to be both a bigger back and a fast back as well with a 40 time of 4.5 seconds.

ASU v. Cal: Blogging at the Quarters

Since I opted out of buying last minute tickets to the game and making the trek back to Berkeley for the game, a choice I am increasingly regretting, I shall make an attempt at posting periodically throughout the game.

2nd Quarter, 12:30 remaining, 10-0 17-0 Cal:

• Big announcement of the day: Nate Longshore is back in at starter.  Jeff Tedford has been worried about the slow starts the Cal Offense has been having as of late, sighting troubles managing the game in the huddle, as well as some rather poor throws in the last two games.  Those at the stadium were actually in for a big surprise, as Riley was accidentally announced over the PA as the starter.
• Despite Best being injured, the offense has looked quite sharp.  Longshore for the most part has been sharp, despite the bonehead INT on the apparently failed screen.
• Although the offense has been steadily moving down the field, its been much more of a slower-paced, controlled game.  With previous games, there was always that edge, that feeling that the next play could go all the way.  The offense today, both in play calling and execution, seems to be just trying to wear down the Arizona defense.  Very few looks down the field, lots of backfield and short passes.  Look for a big play down the field soon, its long overdue.
• The defense is playing outstanding.  Two forced fumbles, one recovered, a couple huge sacks on 3rd down.  ASU hasn’t had very much yardage yet, either in the air or on the ground, however we’ve barely seen Keegan Herring play yet
• Cal is scoring as I write, to go up 17-0.  Go Bears!  Keep up the defense now.

Halftime, 17-7 Cal:

• ASU had one good drive, capped off by a 30 yard uncontested touchdown pass.  Main difference on this drive was control of the line.  ASU provided much more protection for Rudy Carpenter, and when given that much time to throw the ball, he did well finding receivers down the field.  The key for the rest of the game will be to keep up the pressure and force Carpenter to get rid of the ball early or throw it away.
• Punt and kickoff coverage has been helping out a lot with field position, pinning ASU deep within their territory most of the time.
• Have yet to see good kick returns for the Bears.  Darian Hagan hasn’t been able to hit holes like Best does, and Sydquan Thompson has been dancing around too much rather than running vertical.
• ASU is very much still in the game, especially as they should receive the second half kickoff.  The Bears have to keep up the pressure on Carpenter on defense, and keep grinding down the field and scoring on offense.

End of 3rd Quarter, 24-14 Cal:

• Leaping?  Really?  Personal foul 15 yards?  Thats a pretty ridiculous penalty/call.  I don’t know the specifics of the rule, but ESPN says its for “jumping onto the line”, but to me, it looked like the player jumped straight up, and somebody ran under him.  Anyway, if they’re going to be sticklers and call that, why didn’t they call a penalty on the TD on the offensive line for a “Bush Push”?
• Hagan needs to hold on to the ball.  The Bears lucked out that his fumble on the kickoff went out of bounds.
• Offense seems to have slowed down.  Although they did manage a TD, that was on a short field due to the interception by Conte.