Injury report for LA tech

RB Justin Forsett and WR Robert Jordan are back in practice at full capacity after spending some time this week wearing non-contact jerseys. In the CSU game, Forsett sat out the fourth quarter with a back stinger, and Jordan was hurt with bruised ribs (thankfully not a kidney as suggested earlier). They should be good to go when the Bears host Louisiana Tech on Saturday.

DT Mika Kane has recovered from the concussion he suffered in the Tennessee game. He’ll be battling for playing time with last week’s substitute starter Cody Jones and Derrick Hill (who snagged an interception against CSU).

Meanwhile, PK Tom Schneider is still out with a pulled quad but Jordan Kay has been filling in for him very nicely. Seeing the kicking game barely miss a beat with Schneider out is a great sign for next year’s field goal unit.

DeSean Pac-10 PotW

Despite touching the ball only once on special teams Saturday, DeSean Jackson has received the Pac-10 Player of the Week honor for his special teams play.

Jackson was a key player in Cal’s victory over Tennessee, tallying 143 all-purpose yards on just six touches. His most spectacular play came on his first punt return of the season as he fielded the ball on the near sideline. After dodging a Volunteer gunner, he maneuvered to his right, picked up a pair of crunching blocks and then accelerated. However, as the next Tennessee would-be tackler approached, Jackson stopped on a dime and back-stepped two steps to avoid any contact at all. From there, he had an open line to the end zone for a 77-yard score – his sixth career punt return touchdown (on just 27 returns).

That play was selected as ESPN’s No. 2 play of an exciting opening weekend of college football.

Tennessee’s remaining punts were directed well-away from Jackson.

RB Justin Forsett and LB Zack Follett were also nominated for the award on offense and defense, respectively.

Ta’ufo’ou to play Saturday

The SF Chronicle is reporting that fullback Will Ta’ufo’ou “practiced at full speed Thursday and is expected to play Saturday.” This is excellent news for tomorrow’s match-up.

During a scrimmage on August 16, fullback Ta’ufo’ou sprained his MCL (knee), which was thought to sideline him for 3-6 weeks including the Tennessee game.

Riley #2, true freshmen to play

Coach Jeff Tedford has named redshirt freshman Kevin Riley the number 2 quarterback. However, the CC Times reports:

[Kyle] Reed, a redshirt sophomore, said he has no plans on transferring or changing positions. … Tedford said the decision doesn’t necessarily mean Riley is the heir apparent to Longshore, who is a junior. … Still, Reed is clearly disappointed with the decision, something Tedford said is to be expected.

“That’s natural,” Tedford said. “When a guy puts in that much time and energy, you can’t expect him to be chipper. He’s bounced back. He’s had a good attitude the last couple of days. I have a lot of confidence he’s going to stay focused on what he needs to get the job done and be ready.”

Even though Reed has had a couple of days to digest the news, it’s clear he’s still trying to make peace with it. … “I’m not going to lie. It’s still something that’s wearing on me,” he said. “I have to suck it up as a man and try to better myself through this process.”

Tedford has also confirmed that at least defensive back Chris Conte, defensive end Cameron Jordan and running back Jahvid Best will play this season as true freshmen.

Player updates: Best, Jackson…

True freshman Jahvid Best is making a name for himself in fall camp, already earning the nickname “Jet.” Coach Jeff Tedford suggests that Best may not be redshirting this season:

“He’s special,” Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. …

Tedford suggested strongly that Best will get some playing time at running back this year, and it seems a near certainty that Best will be returning kickoffs. Kick returns are a bigger part of the game this season with kickoffs moved back 5 yards to the 30-yard line, and Best is eager to give it a try.

“I love returning kicks,” he said.

The combination of Best and DeSean Jackson should be mind blowing.

Speaking of Jackson, Sports Illustrated just put up an Inside College Football: “Postcard” feature on Cal featuring the star WR/PR and his filmmaking following (his brother Byron and a friend). Jackson is confident as usual:

“I am the one to watch,” says Jackson with a smile when he sees the pamphlet. “I’ve been ready for this moment my whole life. The camera’s always been on me. The spotlight’s always been on me. I’m used to it by now. I’m ready.”

The article also goes into quite a bit more about the team:

• Tedford is “about as comfortable with [Nate] Longshore as any quarterback he’s ever coached at Cal,” with the QB “like another coach on the field.”
• RB Justin Forsett is ready, with “[m]ost within the program think Forsett could prove to be the most explosive back the school’s had since Arrington ran for over 2,000 yards”
• Longshore on taking up Pilates with Forsett: “I have so much more flexibility and I’m able to play smarter and stay fresh. I do a little routine before I come out and I’m loose and everything feels good.”
• CB Syd’Quan Thompson doesn’t blame his performance last year at Tennessee on the cast on his left hand. “The Tennessee game was a crazy atmosphere but it helped me grow and helped me to have a short memory.”
• DE Tad Smith is rising from the third-string, and SI suggests “if he continues to make plays like he’s made so far in camp it will be hard for coaches not to start him.”
• True freshman DE Cameron Jordan is turning heads, “routinely outrunning his fellow lineman by 20-30 yards during sprints.”

Kyle Reed and QB depth

The Chronicle put together a nice feature on sophomore backup quarterback Kyle Reed yesterday, highlighting his great attitude and work ethic while he competes with “his career on the line.” TBIOOF points out that his NFL potential is an excellent indicator of the Bears’ elite quarterback lineup.

According to Jon Okanes, Coach Jeff Tedford has still not chosen a #2 quarterback:

Tedford decided to delay his decision on the backup quarterback. Kyle Reed had a better scrimmage than [freshman] Kevin Riley, but neither clearly stood out. Reed still seems to have an edge because he’s been in the program one year longer than Riley. Tedford said he would likely make a decision by the middle of [this] week.

The article makes me want to root for Reed to start when junior starter Nate Longshore finishes up, but we’ll see how Tedford makes his decision.

Ta’ufo’ou injured; out for 3-6 weeks

During a scrimmage Thursday, fullback Will Ta’ufo’ou sprained a ligament in his knee, putting him on the sideline for 3-6 weeks including the September 1st home opener against Tennessee. Ta’ufo’ou played in all 13 games last season, including starting in Cal’s victory over Texas A&M in the Holiday Bowl, and was expected to be the starter this year as well.

Position battles

Brandon Hampton is leading in the battle for starting cornerback (replacing Daymeion Hughes to the Colts) alongside Syd’Quan Thompson over redshirt freshmen Brandon Jones, Charles Amadi, and Darian Hagan due to his on-field experience as a rover.

Worrell Williams is securing the starting spot at middle linebacker (replacing Desmond Bishop to the Packers) over Greg Van Hoesen.

Kevin Riley and Kyle Reed are still fighting for the #2 quarterback spot. Apparently, the primary backup will be named after Thursday’s scrimmage.

Early fall camp injury reports

According to the CCTimes’ Jon Okanes:

• “Redshirt freshman running back James Montgomery sat out [Saturday-Sunday] practice after sustaining a concussion late in practice Friday.” … “Tedford said backup running back James Montgomery should return to practice in the next couple of days.”
• “Starting free safety Thomas DeCoud practiced in only limited fashion as he nurses a twinge in his hamstring.”
• “Defensive tackle Derrick Hill continues to miss time because of back spasms.” … “There still is no word on when defensive lineman Derrick Hill will be ready. He hasn’t practiced yet because of back spasms.”
• “Offensive lineman Mike Gibson has missed the past few days because of a hamstring injury.”

I’m hoping that DeCoud’s injury is minor, since he is an integral part of the defense at safety. Also, we need Hill to get on the field to show his stuff for the upcoming season with the loss of Brandon Mebane.

Meanwhile, Tennessee running back LaMarcus Coker was suspended indefinitely last week for violating the team’s substance abuse policy. He was competing for the starting spot with Arian Foster.

Players in the news

QB Nate Longshore has been added to the Manning Award (college football’s top quarterback including bowl performance) watch list. The last three winners of the award were JaMarcus Russell, Vince Young, and Matt Leinart.

WR Robert Jordan has switched his jersey to #2. This was his number in high school and also the number of cousin/housemate JaMarcus Russell (Raiders, #1 draft pick) at LSU.

DeSean featured on the cover of S&S (thanks Bret M)

WR/PR DeSean Jackson was featured yesterday on ESPN’s College Football Live program:

Intro: “He is already one of the most electrifying players in college football. Coming up on College Football Live we’re going to tell you why Cal’s DeSean Jackson might be about to get even more dangerous. Rules changes going Cal’s way on College Football Live…”

Referring to the change moving the kickoff to 30 yard line: “One of the thing about the kickoff return is you often hear coaches say ‘I don’t know if I want to use my star on the kickoff returns. I don’t want to get him hurt.’ Cal… because DeSean Jackson is such an electricifying punt returner, and in theory he’s going to have more opportunity to return and not have balls driven into the end zone, it looks as if DeSean Jackson is going to get a little time as kickoff returner as well, making that already explosive Bear offense even more dangerous.” – Reese Davis [/JY]