California is exploring not-so-familiar turf. The well-rounded team reached a ranking of No. 4 in the nation for the first time in 52 years this week. The Golden Bears shutout two opponents (Arizona and Arizona State) back-to-back, which has not been accomplished since 1968.
Many aspects of Cal’s defense are being recognized as the most effective in the Pacific-10 Conference.
At the same time, freshman wide receiver Robert Jordan has proved to be a quick learner and a fast worker for the Golden Bears’ flourishing offense. Not long ago, Jordan was just a distant blip on Cal’s radar.
“To think that three weeks ago he was on the scout team, then all of a sudden he’s starting for us at receiver and having a 100-yard game,” California head coach Jeff Tedford said. “He deserves a lot of credit for his work ethic, as well as coach (Eric) Kiesau for getting him prepared and ready to play with all the things we do.”
Tedford said Jordan has absorbed the fundamentals, formations, techniques and specific details of the program. It showed in his first collegiate start against Arizona State last week.
Jordan scored the first touchdown of his collegiate career just 10 seconds after the kickoff on a 24-yard reception from Aaron Rodgers. In the first minute of the second half, Jordan got right back to work by catching a 27-yard pass from Rodgers.
“He’s a terrific young man who has a lot of skills,” Tedford said. “Right now … there’s no fear in him whatsoever. He’s not a guy who goes in there and is nervous about playing. He has tremendous confidence and the ability to go with that confidence.”
Freshman wide receiver Robert Jordan broke out for California with a touchdown catch in the first 10 seconds of the game last week.
Tedford is not worried about Jordan’s size or experience. He expects the 5-foot-11, 160-pound receiver to develop in his physical and mental game. Jordan’s speed (4.45 seconds in the 40-meter) and natural athletic ability are his current strong points. Already, Jordan has caught 12 passes for 156 yards and one score in three games.
Redshirt freshmen Sam DeSa and Noah Smith are listed as second-string receivers and have seen very limited field time in comparison to Jordan.
A season-ending injury to senior Chase Lyman opened the door for Jordan. Lyman’s career had been plagued with injuries even before he hyperextended his left knee against USC. That incident resulted in a torn ACL and surgery.
Prior to the knee injury, Lyman ranked first among Division I-A receivers in yards per reception (29.6) and tenth in yardage per game (103.5). Lyman acquired 414 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 14 catches in four games this season.
Senior Geoff McArthur has justifiably earned his seven starts thus far as a wide receiver. He has collected four touchdowns and a team-high 479 receiving yards on 32 receptions this season. The Los Angeles native needs 19 catches to take over Cal’s career
reception record of 195 held by
Dameane Douglas.
McArthur became the new record holder of Cal’s all-time career receiving yardage record by surpassing Bobby Shaw’s mark of 2,731 two weeks ago against Arizona. McArthur now has 2,802 career receiving yards.
As a 2003 second-team All-American, McArthur caught 85 passes for 1,504 yards — a school record — and 10 touchdowns. He needed only 16 yards to match Johnnie Morton’s single-season receiving yardage record of 1,520, but fractured his arm prior to the Insight Bowl and could not extend his total.
Burl Toler has provided Cal with even more depth at the wide receiver position. The senior has started in three games this season and played in five. He has seven receptions for 58 yards.
Rodgers not unnoticed
Rodgers has not been overlooked this season. The junior quarterback has been supplying his stacked squad of swift wide receivers and aggressive backs with plenty of snaps to work with.
Behind center, Rodgers has completed 126 of 177 passes (71.7 percent) to obtain 1,541 yards and 15 touchdowns to accompany only four interceptions. He is flirting with former Central Florida star Daunte Culpepper’s NCAA completion percentage record of 73.5 and currently exceeding Rich Campbell’s Pac-10 mark of 70.7 percent.
The junior’s 167.76 pass efficiency rating is ranked first in the Pac-10 and sixth in the nation.
With such an accurate passer and reliable receivers, it’s hard to do anything but throw. Cal has made its air game effective by successfully penetrating its opposition’s defense on the ground.
“There’s not one phase we’re going to be able to rely on,” Tedford said. “We’re going to continue giving it a shot running the ball, but we’re going to have to mix it up. It’s something we always strive to do, to be balanced on offense.”
Balanced is the perfect way to describe Cal’s offense. The Golden Bears average 243.9 rushing yards and 248.9 passing yards. They have converted 24 of 28 red zone opportunities, which leads the Pac-10. Dating back to Oct. 18 of last year, Cal has capitalized in 53 of 58 chances within 20 yards or less.
