DeSean Jackson is a player of many talents.
Any team needing a leaping grab deep punt return should look no further than Jackson, a 6-foot, 166-pound wide receiver who is rapidly becoming one of the nation’s most potent dual-threats for the No. 16 California Golden Bears.
Jackson has seven touchdowns and 445 yards receiving.
He’s also a key member of the Bears’ special teams, where he catches punts and speeds past defenders. Arizona State realized that two weeks ago when Jackson returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown in California’s 49-21 rout of the Sun Devils.
“With his explosive speed, it’s something you really have to take notice,” California coach Jeff Tedford said. “If you leave him one-on-one, he’s got the quickness and the speed to make some big plays, not only as a receiver, but in the kicking game.”
The change in Jackson from his freshman year to sophomore has been noticeable.
In last year’s match-up, the Ducks held Jackson without a reception in the drizzly 27-20 overtime Ducks win. Jackson, one of his most disappointing games last season, dropped many potential big-play passes.
The difference this season is his consistency, said Bellotti, who compares Jackson’s development to that of former Oregon wide receiver Samie Parker. Parker, now a Kansas City Chief, caught 178 passes for 2,761 yards and 19 touchdowns in his four-year Oregon career.
“He reminds me of Samie Parker and the evolution that Samie made from his sophomore year to his junior year,” Bellotti said. “He is playing with a greater sense of confidence (and is a) much more consistent receiver in terms of catching the football.”
Last season, Jackson led California with 38 catches for 601 yards. Jackson’s improvement has coincided with quarterback Nate Longshore blossoming after his miserable performance in the opener at Tennessee.
Over the last four games, Longshore has completed 77-of-111 passes for 1,136 yards and 14 touchdowns with just three interceptions. Longshore was 11 of 20 for 85 yards and one interception against the Volunteers.
“Those two were not a part of the equation last year at times,” Bellotti said of Longshore and Jackson. “DeSean Jackson did some really good things, he just wasn’t as consistent. He’s much more consistent this year and he’s a big-time threat because with the ball in his hands, he is as fast as any player on the field.”
Last weekend, Oregon allowed Arizona State’s Terry Richardson to return a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. Bellotti later attributed it to an Oregon defender tripping a teammate and two others getting faked out.
“You really have to make sure you stay in your lanes and cover the kicks well, or if he hits a crease, it’s a big play,” Tedford said.
Top secret
This weekend’s ABC broadcast features Brent Musburger and Bob Davie, a change from Dan Fouts and Tim Brant. Earlier this year, USC complained that Musburger revealed private information in his commentary.
Musburger told viewers how USC quarterback John David Booty used a signal to alert his receivers.
The incident won’t change how Bellotti approaches the pre-game meeting with broadcasters.
“I don’t give a lot of information to the TV broadcasters,” Bellotti said. “I don’t give them any insider information, it’s more generalities about personnel and matchups and that type of thing.”
Not much remains a mystery in college football.
“There’s very little in football nowadays that is really kept hidden very long,” Bellotti said. “You see signals on the field, on the films, you have two views of every play, you have television replays. It’s hard to keep things quiet.”
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