It’s homecoming for the Bears this weekend as California takes on Oregon with the intention of extending its four-game winning streak. The Bears have also scored 40 points or more in four straight games for the first time since the 1993 season.
Gridiron general
After a shaky start against Tennessee a month ago, Cal quarterback Nate Longshore has embraced his role as the Bears’ leader, and is already drawing comparisons to former Bear and current Green Bay Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
In five games this season, Longshore has thrown for 1,221 yards, and 14 touchdowns with just three interceptions. He has also had three four-touchdown games this season. He comes into Saturday’s game after a huge day against Oregon State University last weekend, during which he threw for a career-best 341 yards.
Longshore’s efficiency in the pocket and his competence in managing the offense have earned him the respect of his teammates.
Earlier this week, junior wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins told reporters that Longshore is “the best quarterback I’ve ever played with in my life.”
“Nate is the guy,” Hawkins said. “Nate is the man.”
Air and land attack
On the ground, junior tailback Marshawn Lynch is one of only four players in the nation to have four-straight 100-yard rushing games this season.
But aside from his four rushing touchdowns so far, Lynch is a lethal threat through the air. He has caught 11 passes – three for touchdowns – and amassed 123 receiving yards on the season.
Oregon coach Mike Bellotti referred to Lynch as “one of the best pass-catching running backs in the nation.”
“He doesn’t go down; he doesn’t give up. He doesn’t believe anybody can tackle him,” Bellotti said. “You’ve got to gang-tackle him and you’ve got to hang on.”
On the defensive
The Bears have one of the nation’s top cornerbacks in the form of Daymeion “Dante” Hughes. Hughes
has been a dominating force this season.
Hughes leads the team with five interceptions, and has a total of 25 tackles. His 12 career interceptions are tied for second in Cal history, and he leads the nation in passes defended (9).
Safeties Brandon Hampton and Bernard Hicks also combined for 17 tackles against the Beavers last week. The Oregon State game marked Hicks’ first collegiate start, in place of injured starter Thomas DeCoud. So regardless of whether DeCoud returns to action this weekend, the Bears have a solid pair of safeties in place.
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