Cal falls to Arizona 24-20, Rose Bowl still in sights

The Bears fell today in a heartbreaking loss in Tucson, AZ. The offense struggled against a tough Arizona defense who played with great heart, and quarterback Nate Longshore looked uncharacteristically off-tempo. However, the Wildcats were assisted by poor officiating and one particularly criminal pass interference call.

This loss will mar Cal’s national recognition and ranking, and it also takes the team out of the running for the national championship. However, USC already fell to Oregon State. Thus, barring a complete meltdown by either team, the Pac-10 championship (and winner of the Rose Bowl bid) will still be determined by the winner of next week’s Cal-USC match-up.

Hopefully the Bears will gain new focus and learn lessons from this loss and be prepared more than ever for the important game next week. The bottom line: Cal still controls its own destiny. The Bears must recover their confidence and look to beat USC.

Saturday’s match-up: Cal at Arizona

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Saturday’s game in Tucson, AZ is a potential “trap” game against a resurgent Wildcats team. While Arizona is one of the perennial bottom-dwellers of the Pac-10, the Wildcats just defeated Washington State on the road with the return of their starting quarterback Willie Tuitama. With the media focusing on next week’s game against USC in the Coliseum to determine the Pac-10 champion, the Bears have many potential distractions from the game at hand.

However, it appears that Coach Jeff Tedford is well aware of a potential letdown in this match-up and has prepared the Bears accordingly. In addition, history is on the side of the Bears as Arizona under head coach Mike Stoops has been shut out against the Bears with zero points scored.

If Cal come to Tucson ready to play, this should be a blowout – a statement game that will boost the confidence of the Bears before the big day on November 18. Hopefully this will be the case for the Bears.

Here are the media rounds for the game.

ESPN: “Pac-10 Notebook”

So this is the Arizona team that folks imagined in the preseason — the one that welcomed back 17 starters and appeared on the cusp of earning a bowl berth. While improving to 4-5 with a surprising 27-17 victory over Washington State isn’t anything to go crazy about, it’s worth noting that four victories is the program’s most since 2002.

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California owns Arizona. They’ve won the last three meetings by a combined score of 108-14, the last two meetings being Bears’ shutouts. That means coach Mike Stoops has never seen his offense score against Cal.

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Cal is trying to record its ninth consecutive victory. The program hasn’t done that in a single season since starting 9-0 in 1950.

Daily Cal: “With Three More to Go, Bears Take Show to Arizona”

Arizona was coming off a victory against Oregon State and sporting a 2-4 Pac-10 record going into its third-to-last regular-season game a year ago against then-No. 7 UCLA. Against all odds, the Wildcats managed to pummel the Bruins 52-14, at Arizona Stadium.

It may be a different season, but the situation is eerily similar in 2006.

“Those are reminders of what can happen if you’re not ready to play,” Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. “We always talk about the challenges that we have each and every week. It’s no different this week.”

Sports Network: “Pac-10 leading California heads to the desert”

Defensively, is where Arizona has had the most success and last week’s win over Washington State was certainly an example of that, holding the Cougars to a mere seven points in the game. On the year, UA is allowing 19.7 ppg, on 309.3 yards of total offense. The rush defense has allowed just 105.8 yards per game, while the pass defense is yielding 203.6 yards per outing.

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The Wildcats will need to carry over momentum from last week’s win in order to keep this game close. Although the Wildcat defense has played its best against the better offenses it has faced, this Bears’ unit is clicking on cylinders most teams don’t even have. Sports Network Predicted Outcome: California 33, Arizona 14

USA Today: “Weekend Forecast”

You can forgive the Golden Bears a little if they are looking ahead to next week’s showdown against Southern Cal that would likely give them their first Rose Bowl trip since 1959. They’ve got enough talent, though, to win in Tucson with less than their best. California 28, Arizona 14.

ESPN’s Bruce Feldman: “Picks”

No. 8 Cal 28, Arizona 10: The Bears haven’t been quite as sharp the last few weeks, playing down to the level of UCLA and Washington at home. Almost as if they were coasting. They have shutout the Cats the last two seasons, and I don’t see too many reasons why it’ll be much different this weekend even though Zona is coming off its game of season last week after upsetting Wazzu on the road. In that game the Cats still only managed 275 total yards. Thing that has me sold: The struggling UA offense.

Arizona coverage map

Here is the coverage map for Saturday’s matchup at Arizona (in red) on ABC. This is even less coverage than last week’s UCLA game, but regional coverage blanketing the west coast is decent for most of Cal’s recruiting targets. Next week’s Cal-USC game will most likely be receiving full national coverage at primetime following the Ohio-Michigan matchup.

Cal keeps rolling with win over UCLA

Last night, the Bears kept their Pac-10 title hopes rolling with a solid win over UCLA, extending their winning streak to 8. While the Bruins made some impressive statistics and held on in the first half, Cal took over and finished with a nice victory.

Nate Longshore stepped it up, completing 20 of 24 passes for 3 touchdowns and also making a 21-yard scramble. Marshawn Lynch did not have gaudy stats but looked like a beast, tearing through tacklers to get 2 TD’s. Robert Jordan had a great day, grabbing 2 touchdowns as well. And, DeSean Jackson made the highlight reels with another punt return for a TD sprung free with a massive block by Thomas DeCoud.

Here is ESPN’s video recap of the game, followed by an extensive look at Cal’s performance by the ABC commentators.

Associated Press: “No. 10 California 38, UCLA 24”

From the two talented cousins to Tha Chosen 1, California’s playmakers took turns making life miserable for UCLA. Marshawn Lynch caught one of Nate Longshore’s three touchdown passes and ran for another score as No. 10 Cal won its eighth straight, 38-24 over the Bruins on Saturday night.

Robert Jordan had two touchdown catches and DeSean Jackson romped 72 yards on his school-record fourth TD punt return for the first-place Golden Bears (8-1, 6-0), who moved one big step closer to their first conference title since 1975.

ESPN: “Top 25 Overview”

It was over when… DeSean Jackson returned a punt 38 yards for a touchdown with just over two minutes left in the third quarter.
Gameball goes to… Nate Longshore. The Cal QB completed 20 of 24 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns.
Stat of the game… 4. Jackson’s punt return was his fourth, setting a school record in just 20 games.

Scout.com: “Bruins Fall to Cal, 38-24”

All the Bear units contributed to the win. Marshawn Lynch got yards when it counted, even if his statistics were not to his usual standard. Robert Jordan had his best game of the year. Nate Longshore was nearly perfect, and the defense came up with several big plays.

UCLA continued the “almost-but-not-quite” pattern they have established this year. They moved the ball up and down the field, but had trouble converting yards into points.

Contra Costa Times: “Brusin’ the Bruins”

With a full moon looming over Memorial Stadium on a clear Saturday night, a lightning bolt struck in the form of Cal’s Thomas DeCoud.

DeCoud’s teeth-shattering hit came late in the third quarter of the Golden Bears’ 38-24 victory over UCLA and not only crushed linebacker Korey Bosworth, but the Bruins’ hopes for an upset as well.

SF Chronicle: “It’s a big yellow taxi, and it’s running wild toward Pasadena”

You will know the kind of football you like by deciding which of these two plays was more influential in Cal’s 38-24 excision of UCLA on Saturday evening. Neither will tell you any more about whether the Golden Bears are fully prepped for the all-in game against USC in 13 days (or whether they’re going to wear their cornea-searing yellow uniforms for it), but epochal revelations like Rose Bowl invitations do tend to come in increments.

LA Times: “California tries to focus on present”

Their winning streak is more than two months now, not that the California Golden Bears are checking their calendars, but they surely know what’s on the schedule in just two weeks. That would be a showdown at the Coliseum with the USC Trojans, who just happened to be in the Bay Area on Saturday for a full-scale blowout at Stanford while Cal was administering a mini-blowout of UCLA.

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What Longshore said afterward, when asked what he was thinking about, probably meant more. “Tucson, Tucson, Tucson,” he said. “Nothing but Arizona.”

SF Chronicle: “Longshore, man!”

Cal quarterback Nate Longshore pushed all the right buttons Saturday night in Berkeley.

Saturday’s matchup: UCLA

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Cal’s annual match-up with its little brother UCLA is tomorrow, underneath the night lights and ABC TV cameras. The weather will be partly cloudy, at crisp 56°F.

The Bears are coming off a bye week and a 7-week winning streak, while the Bruins have lost the last 3. Here are a few thoughts about the game:

ESPN‘s Bruce Feldman: “Picks”

No. 10 Cal 31, UCLA 14: Quietly the Bruins have really improved on D — especially against the run — under first-year UCLA D-coordinator DeWayne Walker. But I think the wheels are starting to come off the wagon for the Bruins, who have now lost three games in row. Expect a big day for the Golden Bears’ skill guys. Thing that has me sold: The Bruins are sinking.

Sports Network: “Pac-10 leading California hosts UCLA”

California has finally reached the pinnacle of the Pac-10, but must remain focused, especially against a UCLA team hungry for some success. UCLA’s defense may cause some problems early for Cal, but in the end, the Golden Bears’ skill positions will provide the difference in the game. Sports Network Predicted Outcome: California 34, UCLA 20

Scout.com: “Bruins Visit Berkeley as Home Stretch Begins”

Cal will win if: They prevent the Bruins from running the ball. If UCLA can’t run they have to pass, and they do not have the weapons to compete with the Bears in the track meet that would result.
UCLA will win if: They can run the ball steadily and productively, turning yardage into scores and shortening the game. They Bruins have had trouble getting points on the board, and dominating between the 20s – if they manage that – won’t do the job against the Bears. If they can also keep Longshore, Lynch and company off the field, they have a lucky-puncher’s chance.
Prediction: UCLA is traditionally a formidable opponent, but the scheduling gods smiled on the Bears this year as they come off a bye week and get a Bruin team on the downslide. Cal 38, UCLA 17

ESPN‘s Ted Miller: “Pac-10 Notebook”

Tedford shouldn’t need much to motivate his players too much against the Bruins, and not only because the Rose Bowl is at stake. Last year, 10th-ranked Cal led No. 18 UCLA 40-28 midway through the fourth quarter before yielding 19 unanswered points to lose 47-40. The Bears surrendered 299 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns to Maurice Drew, including an 81-yard punt return for a score. Cal lost despite rolling up 545 yards of offense, including 330 yards rushing.

USA Today: “Weekend Preview”

No. 11 California couldn’t have asked for a more productive bye week. It’s alone atop the Pac-10 standings thanks to Southern California’s loss, and RB Marshawn Lynch was able to rest his sore ankles. He should be at full speed to help QB Nate Longshore. UCLA DE Justin Hickman must pick up the pressure. The Bruins have lost three in a row. Opening-day starter Ben Olson (knee) has returned to practice, but Pat Cowan will stay at QB another week. Bears CB Daymeion Hughes has swiped seven passes and broken up six more.

Eric’s prediction: 45-20, Cal.

Steve’s prediction: 49-24, Cal

UCLA coverage map

Here is the coverage map for Saturday’s matchup. While national coverage of the game would be nice, this will provide good exposure for recruits, as most are on this side of the country anyway.

USC on our mind

Despite Cal’s road game at USC weeks away, people are talking more than ever about the showdown on November 18 in the Coliseum.

ESPN’s Bruce Feldman: “Most intriguing games remaining”

3. Cal at USC Nov. 18: Jeff Tedford is the only coach in the Pac-10 who has been able to beat Pete Carroll in the last three seasons and this is looking like his best Bear team yet. Meanwhile, this is Carroll’s shakiest Trojan squad in that time. Skepticism about this Trojan team grows each week. Just today, ASU QB Rudy Carpenter called the Trojans the third-best team in the Pac-10, behind Cal and Oregon.

USC’s long home-winning streak has been threatened a lot of late, but the challenge will be whether the Trojans’ suspect secondary can handle all of the Bears’ skill talent? Keep an eye on Cal’s electrifying WR-PR DeSean Jackson. An L.A. native, he was one of the first recruits to snub the Trojans amid USC’s great run.

Washington Head Coach Tyrone Willingham via the SJ Mercury’s Jon Wilner:

“In a game of that nature, I think it’s going to come down to the play of the quarterbacks,” Willingham said, refering to Cal sophomore Nate Longshore and USC junior John David Booty.

“USC has a pretty good duo at running back, and Cal, I think their combo is pretty good and might even be a hair stronger with Marshawn (Lynch). I think the receiving corps from both groups are good and talented, and by that time, USC is probably thinking and wishing (Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith) will be healthy and rolling again.

“If all that comes to pass, it will be an exciting game, and I think it will come down on the quarterbacks.”

ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit:

Q: What do you think Cal’s chances are of beating USC?

A: Currently, the way the two teams are playing, I think Cal has a very good chance of competing with and beating USC. I think for the first 6 or 7 games of the season, despite Cal losing in embarrassing fashion at Tennessee, they’re the better team at this point. And they’ve got not only playmakers on offense, but a defense that is capable of being dominating as well. But fortunately for USC, this game against Cal will not be played for another four games, so they still have time to improve and reach their potential. I keep saying that Cal is better than USC RIGHT NOW, because by the time Nov. 18 rolls around and USC’s youth has a chance to continue to gain experience, they might be a completely different looking team by that point in the season. But if they keep playing the way they have the last four weeks, Cal definitely can beat them.

Tucson Citizen (AZ): “Four huge games coming up this month”

Nov. 18, Cal at USC – The nightcap of a great day of college football, with this one likely deciding the Pac-10 title.

Daily Herald (WA): “Pac-10 bowl scenarios abound”

The Pac-10 championship – and a spot in the Rose Bowl – will come down to the Nov. 18 game between the Trojans and the Golden Bears. Cal is everyone’s favorite, but I’m not convinced. It’s a very good team, but I still give the edge to USC, which I think goes undefeated through the regular season. The young Trojans will continue to get better every week and will be Rose Bowl-bound.

USA Today: “Five games may set stage for college football’s national title”

California at Southern California on Nov. 18, a day featuring two games that could decide the national title matchup. After stumbling badly vs. Tennessee, the No. 11 Golden Bears have looked like the best team in the Pacific-10. A win against the No. 2 Trojans will prove that.

ESPN’s Ivan Maisel (see his bowl predictions with Cal and Michigan in the Rose):

Q: I assume you believe Cal will beat USC … Cal struggled against both Washington schools and its ok (sic), but an unbeaten USC team gets no respect from you. I remember another team that one the NC a few years ago that won alot (sic) of close games, OSU. Is it because USC isn’t blowing people out every week that apparently they aren’t good enough anymore for you?

A: The USC I saw against Arizona State is not a championship team. That’s three straight games that were a struggle. Maybe the bye week will get Jarrett and Smith healthy enough to allow the offense to stretch the field again. But based on what I’ve seen — as of now — I think Cal is better.

ESPN’s Jim Donnan:

Q: Coach do you think Cal is a better team than USC right now? And who has the better receivers this year?

A: Well, I’ve been impressed with the way Cal’s played, after the way they got ambushed by Tennessee. They look like a total football team right now. They’re playing like a better football team right now, but I still think USC will have the edge at home.

ABC picks up Cal at Arizona game

In good news for Cal fans, ABC Regional has picked up the away Arizona game on November 11. Kickoff is slated for 12:30pm. This is welcome news for those of us who want more than Joe Starkey’s voice or the jumbotron at Memorial Stadium.

Cal defeats Washington 31-24 in OT thriller

Photo: Jason Snell, Idiots Write About Sports

In Cal’s most exciting game of the season so far, the Bears emerged victorious from Memorial Stadium with an overtime win over a resilient Huskies squad. Despite struggles on offense for both teams and a lackluster first half, they fought hard to the end. Marshawn Lynch and Cal’s defense carried the Bears to the win necessary to stay undefeated in the Pac-10 (5-0). This was a crucial win at the end of a long stretch, and the Bears now have a bye week to recuperate before hosting UCLA in November.

Yes, our predictions were way off. Kudos to Washington for taking advantage of Cal’s slow start and showing up to make a close game despite starting a backup quarterback.

As always, here are thoughts from around the nation:

Contra Costa Times: “Cal survives Washington’s big strike”

In danger of seeing their dreams of an undefeated run through the Pac-10 go up in a cloud of purple smoke on Saturday at Memorial Stadium, the Cal Bears turned to two of their premier players to save the day against Washington.

SportsTicker: “Lynch, Bishop help California overcome ‘Hail Mary'”

Marshawn Lynch and Desmond Bishop ignored a potentially devastating play. Lynch ran for the go-ahead score in overtime and Bishop ended the game with an interception as No. 11 California overcame a successful “Hail Mary” at the end of regulation to defeat Washington, 31-24, in a Pac-10 Conference thriller.

Sacramento Bee: “Cal survives Husky heave”

Bishop and fellow defensive back Robert Peele had the best chances to break up the [Hail Mary] pass but ended up knocking the ball directly down into [Marlon Wood]’s hands. The Huskies’ primary punt returner had only one reception entering the game but took the carom and fell into the end zone to silence the announced Memorial Stadium crowd of 58,534.

Tedford said he was proud of the way his team handled adversity. This was the first game since the season-opening loss at Tennessee his offense didn’t score in the first quarter. In fact, the Bears didn’t score until Tom Schneider made a 21-yard field-goal with two seconds left in the first half. By then, Bonnell had hit wide receiver Anthony Russo with a 49-yard touchdown pass to give Washington a 10-0 lead.

Associated Press: “Cal wins in overtime after miraculous Washington TD”

Marshawn Lynch played on two sprained ankles, and No. 11 California was on its heels all day — particularly after Washington scored the tying touchdown on the most improbable deflected pass either team had ever seen.

Yet Lynch finally got Cal into the driver’s seat with a 22-yard scoring run in overtime. A few seconds later, he was in another driver’s seat — careening around the field at the wheel of a stadium cart to celebrate the Golden Bears’ 31-24 victory Saturday.

Contra Costa Times: “Lynch does it all in carrying Bears to victory”

Truth be told, after warm-ups, Lynch probably would have played if he had a broken leg. By then, according to Tedford, Lynch was in a “frenzy” over what he considered to be an affront by the Huskies to Cal’s team honor.

The Huskies, apparently, decided to warm up near midfield, directly on Cal’s logo at the 50-yard-line.

“They’re out there saying this is their house and they’re going to win,” Cal linebacker Zack Follett said. “We usually do our jumping jacks at the 30. Marshawn grabbed the whole team and we did our jumping jacks at the 50.”

ESPN’s College Gameday recap (video):

Chris Folwer: Most impressive individual player Lee, what do you think?
Lee Corso: Marshawn Lynch from California. Obviously I like California but he made a great run in overtime to win it… over 150 yards rushing. Marshawn Lynch brought California back to a big win.
Kirk Herbstreit: That was big. Then he got the scooter and just took off running…

Seattle Times: “Bonnell’s good fails to outshine bad and ugly”

When it was over, when the wildest game of his injury-burdened college career ended with a 31-24 overtime loss, Washington quarterback Carl Bonnell fell at the 50-yard line. He just rested there, on his back, the last of five interceptions finally pinning him.

For all the good he did — 284 passing yards, 64 rushing yards, three touchdowns, a Hail Mary — the game’s recurring theme tortured him. Bonnell couldn’t stop throwing the ball to California defenders. It seemed like his spirals came with GPS systems.

Seattle Times: “Ecstasy and agony”

Instead, the Huskies were again left with nothing but the dreaded moral victory to assuage the pain of a 31-24 overtime loss to the Bears, who came in as 23-point favorites and played for much of the day like a team that wasn’t expecting much of a fight.

Once pushed against the ropes, however, the Bears didn’t flinch, scoring on the second play of overtime to take the lead.

“I will remember this game for the rest of my life,” Cal defensive tackle Brandon Mebane said.

U-Dub Dish blog (Washington): “The morning after”

But then Cal let everyone know who’s the boss and Marshawn Lynch, grill intact, took it to the house for the game-winning score.

Game over. Hit your head against a table. Tear out your hair. Scream so the neighbors get worried.

Sturdy Golden Blog: “Great Circle (Cal 31, Washington 24)”

Saturday’s Cal-Washington was memorable. But a bit too damned memorable, if you ask me.

TedfordIsGod blog: “First Five Thoughts on Near-Upset Saturday”

When all is said and done, the image that everyone will remember is of Marshawn driving the injury cart in circles around the Momentum turf. It was exciting, hilarious, pointless, dangerous and unlike anything I’d ever seen — kinda like Marshawn’s running style. He may not ever win the Heisman, but 20 years from now, that will still be funny and a somehow appropriate end to a bizarre game. And no, you weren’t the only one who thought that Marshawn was going to ghost ride an injury cart.

Next up on Saturday: Washington

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On Saturday the Bears host Washington (4-3, 2-2 in conference), a team much-improved over their last season as the undisputed bottom-feeders of the Pac-10. The Huskies have already posted wins over UCLA and Arizona and have given USC a scare. However, their star quarterback Isaiah Stanback is gone with a season-ended injury sustained in their last week’s loss at Oregon State.

If Washington still had Stanback leading their offense, I would say we’d have a real game on Saturday. With backup QB Carl Bonnell most likely taking over (who went 2-of-6 passes for 10 yards in the fourth quarter at OSU), this matchup may end up reminiscent of other home games this season. The Huskies also have a highly-touted freshman quarterback Jake Locker, but Washington coaches probably don’t want to burn his redshirt (and confidence) against the Bears’ defense in a hostile environment.

USA Today: “Weekend Preview”

No. 11 California, still the league’s hottest team despite last week’s scoreless second half at Washington State, returns to Berkeley to host Washington. The Huskies’ promising season took a disastrous turn when QB Isaiah Stanback (foot) was lost for the duration. His replacement probably will likely be Carl Bonnell as the coaching staff tries to preserve touted freshman Jake Locker’s redshirt year. RB Kenny James must aid the transition. Golden Bears QB Nate Longshore will look for a quick start to shake off his first cool spell since opening week. The explosive potential of RB Marshawn Lynch should help.

Rivals.com: “Sekou Picks the Pac-10, Week 7”

California looks to stay hot when it hosts the Washington Huskies. UW limps into Berkeley with out the service of its all everything quarterback Isaiah Stanback. Obviously Coach Willingham will hope his run game will be able to carry the offense. Expect backs Kenny James and Louis Rankin to get extra carries to make up for their missing dual threat. Cal should be well prepared for this course of action. The Bears defense should force turnovers and have one of its most dominating performance of the year; possibly even more so than last week. On offense, the Bears will look to get back in its 40+ rhythm against a defense that will be deflated by lack of offensive production. Expect the Huskies to limit some of Marshawn Lynch’s carries, but eventually Lynch and back-up Justin Forsett will find the creases to have big runs; similar to the type of game Oklahoma back Adrian Peterson had against UW earlier in the year. Quaterback Nate Longshore is efficient, the defense and special teams score, and the Bears blow this game open and win it 40-7.

ESPN’s Ted Miller: “Cal looks to keep streak rolling vs. Huskies”

Not long ago, Cal playing Washington meant one thing: A Huskies’ victory. But after losing 19 in a row in the series, the Bears have now won four straight, and the average score of the last three has been 51-12. Last year, they won 56-17, setting a school record for most points scored on the road.
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Carl Bonnell… with his first assignment as the new starter being a visit to California, perhaps the hottest team in the nation. The Bears have whipped the Huskies four consecutive games, the last three by a margin of 152-36.

Scout.com: “Week 8: UW (4-3) at California (6-1)”

Washington comes off of their worst performance of the season, a 27-17 shellacking at the hands of Oregon State, while California enters this contest on the heels of a 21-3 road win at Washington State. Cal has won six in a row while Washington has dropped their last two.

Sports Network: “Red-hot Bears host Huskies in Berkeley”

The Golden Bears are steam-rolling the competition in-conference and a Washington team on the road without its starting QB is just the next victim on the docket.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: California 34, Washington 13

ESPN’s Bruce Feldman: “Picks”

No. 11 Cal 38, Washington 7: The Huskies being without Isaiah Stanback, their play-making QB, is going to really hurt. More importantly, U-Dub and its worst pass defense in the Pac-10 looks mighty vulnerable against QB Nate Longshore and all of the Bears skill talent. Thing that has me sold: Washington’s terrible pass defense.

Eric’s prediction: 52-17, Cal.

Steve’s prediction: 48-10 Cal.