AOL: Jackson #1, Lynch #3 playmakers in college football

AOL Sports has a special feature naming the 13 best playmakers in all of college football. WR/PR DeSean Jackson takes the #1 spot, while RB Marshawn Lynch is in the #3 spot. It is very impressive that Cal has taken not only the top spot but two of the top three spots in this breakdown.

3. Marshawn Lynch, Cal — How dangerous is Marshawn Lynch? He can churn out 150 yards including the game-winning touchdown on two sprained ankles. Speedy, elusive and powerful, Lynch is the best running back in the country. His 6.87 yards per carry is second best among BCS conference runners. And, after he takes you down for a 30-yard touchdown run, he’ll do a couple donuts around the spot he burned you.

1. DeSean Jackson, Cal — In the offensive talent buffet that is Cal football, DeSean Jackson is the one player that keeps you coming back for more. He’s not the statistical monster that Marshawn Lynch is nor the team lynchpin like Nate Longshore, but he is the West Coast brand for excitement and the best playmaker in America. Trying to tackle Jackson is like trying to bring down a cheetah while wearing stilletos… on ice.

The rest of the list: 13 Marcus Thigpen (Indiana), 12 Lamar Woodley (Michigan), 11 Jason Hill (Wazzu), 10 Ray Rice (Rutgers), 9 Aaron Ross (Texas), 8 Calvin Johnson (GA Tech), 7 Brian Cushing (USC), 6 Troy Smith (OSU), 5 Mario Manningham (Michigan), 4 C.J. Spiller (Clemson), 3 Marshawn Lynch, 2 Steve Slaton (WVA), 1 DeSean Jackson.

Lynch named Pac-10 offensive POTW

Marshawn Lynch has been honored as the Pac-10 player of the week on offense. Cal is really racking up the honors in this category.

Lynch, a junior from Oakland, Calif., was a pivotal performer in California’s 31-24 overtime win against Washington. Lynch rushed 21 times for 150 yards (7.1-yard average) and two touchdowns, including a 22-yard touchdown run in overtime to give Cal the win. He added four receptions for 53 yards to give him 203 all-purpose yards. The California offense put up 486 yards in total offense (195 rushing, 291 passing) and had no turnovers. It marks the fourth time in eight weeks that a California player has garnered Pac-10 offensive player of the week honors.

Teammates Desmond Bishop and Tom Schneider were also nominated for defense and special teams play, respectively.

SI: Longshore #7 Top College QB

Sports Illustrated has honored Nate Longshore with the nod for the #7 spot in their list of the Top 15 College Quarterbacks. They write:

The beginning of Longshore’s career was far from easy. First, he broke his leg in Cal’s 2005 opener, ending his season. Then he managed just 85 yards passing with an interception before being pulled from Cal’s 2006 opener, a blowout loss to Tennessee. But since the embarrassment in Knoxville, Longshore has compiled 1,501 yards and 17 touchdowns in six straight Cal wins.

They all still have to bring up Tennessee over and over again, sadly. Nevertheless, this is great recognition for Nate.

DC Gregory wins national award

Defensive coordinator Bob Gregory has been honored by the Master Coaches Survey for his defensive game plan that shut down the high-powered Oregon offense on Saturday.

Nate Longshore now in Heisman Watch

With his injury this past weekend, it appears that Marshawn Lynch has been dropped from the public Heisman voting. However, due to outstanding performances the past five weeks and the blowout of #11 Oregon, Nate Longshore has found his way into the spotlight. He has been added into this week’s final slot for Heisman voting, so go here to cast your vote.

Forsett is Pac-10 offensive player of the week

Running back Justin Forsett, who filled in for injured Marshawn Lynch against Oregon, has been honored with the Pac-10 player of the week award.

Forsett, a junior from Arlington, Texas, took over for injured starter Marshawn Lynch and keyed California’s running game in the Golden Bears’ 45-21 win against No. 11-ranked Oregon. Forsett rushed 27 times for 163 yards (6.0-yard average) with a touchdown run of 23 yards. He added two receptions for 19 yards to account for 182 all-purpose yards. The Cal running game averaged 5.6 yards per carry in amassing 235 yards rushing against the Ducks.

Justin did a great job in Lynch’s place and showed again that he probably is the best second-string RB in the nation. Scouts, Inc.’s Todd McShay agrees:

Week 6 Stock Up
Forsett stepped in for the injured Marshawn Lynch on Saturday night and proved once again why he is considered the best backup running back in the country. The diminutive junior turned in one of his best career performances with 163 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries in a decisive victory over Pac-10 foe Oregon. Forsett is a perfect fit for Cal’s scheme, as he takes advantage of spread-out defensive fronts with his good vision, shifty moves and explosive burst. QB Nate Longshore is improving each week and with weapons like Lynch and Forsett, and wide receivers DeSean Jackson, Lavelle Hawkins and Robert Jordan, Cal has to be considered one of the most dangerous teams in college football right now. Mark Nov. 18 on your calendar, as Cal is a formidable threat to knock USC off its Pac-10 throne.

Schneider wins Pac-10 Player of the Week (ST)

Kicker Tom Schneider has been honored with the Pac-10 Player of the Week award for his special teams play.

Smith, White, Schneider Named U.S. Bank Pac-10 Football Players of the Week: award is career first for all three players.

Schneider, a junior from Walnut Creek, Calif., was perfect on two field goal attempts and five PATs to account for 11 points in California’s 41-13 win at Oregon State.

QB Nate Longshore was again nominated for the award on offense, but probably did not win due to the fact that he already received it twice this season.

Vote for Tedford for the National Coach of the Year Award

Cal fans, head over to www.coachoftheyear.com and cast a vote for Jeff Tedford. The winning coach, besides gaining national recognition in a televised award presentation in December, will also select a charity to receive a $100,000 donation and earn their school $20,000 for their own scholarship fund. Fans can vote every day through the end of the first phase of voting, which ends November 5th.

Vote for Cal’s Pontiac Game Changing Performance

DeSean Jackson‘s second-quarter, 80-yard punt return for a touchdown is one of four plays nominated for Week 4’s Pontiac Game Changing Performance. The University to win this award will receive a $5,000 contribution to their general scholarship fund and place them in the running for the $100,000 Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the Year. Voting began Sunday, and will end on Wednesday night. Go here to vote. As extra incentive to vote, Pontiac is also giving away a $5,000 scholarship each week to one lucky visitor to the site, so hurry up, and go support our Bears. While you’re at it, also don’t forget to drop by here once a week to vote for Marshawn Lynch for the Heisman.

Longshore Pac-10 Player of the Week – again

QB Nate Longshore has been named Pac-10 offensive player of the week for the second time this season.

Longshore, a sophomore from Canyon Country, Calif., directed California’s offense in the Golden Bears’ 49-21 win against No. 18-ranked Arizona State. Longshore completed 18 of 26 passes (.692) for 270 yards and four touchdowns covering 9, 31, 23 and 8 yards with just one interception. All four touchdown passes came in the first half as California built a 42-14 halftime lead. It marks the second time this season Longshore has been named Pac-10 offensive player of the week having also been so honored after his performance in Cal’s win against Minnesota.

DB Daymeion Hughes and WR/PR DeSean Jackson were also nominated for defensive PotW and special teams PotW, respectively.