California hits jackpot in Vegas, ready for 2006

"I'm going to watch those guys play in the NFL for a long time," Levy said.

But first, all three - junior Levy, sophomore Lynch and freshman Jackson - have some business remaining at Cal.

The Bears beat BYU 35-28 on Thursday in a thrilling Las Vegas Bowl that was in doubt until the closing moments.

It was a game that ended Cal's season on a winning note and also marked a coming of age for this young team that began the year with three returning starters on defense and six returnees on offense.

Senior center Marvin Philip is leaving, but his sights were on the future.

"This team is coming together," he said. "This team is going to compete for the national championship next year."

The Bears won this game on the strength of a power running game, with Lynch, named the game's Most Valuable, carrying the ball 24 times for a career-high and Cal bowl-game record 194 yards. Levy added some long-awaited balance on offense, completing 16 passes in 23 attempts for 228 yards.

Jackson added fire to the passing game with six catches for 130 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown play with three seconds remaining in the first half to break a tie and give Cal a 21-14 lead at the break.

Cal opens the 2006 season at Tennessee.

"We've learned a lot this year," coach Jeff Tedford said. "Any time you can win a bowl game it really gives you some momentum."

The Bears finish the year 8-4 - reversing a late-season lull when they lost four of their last six. They began to get back on the winning track with a 27-3 win over Stanford in the Big Game to end the regular season.

"Some teams have to go through that," Lynch said. "But we came out champions."

And even Tedford, always grounded in the here and now, couldn't resist a look to 2006.

"There's a lot of potential there," he said.

"We're just going to continue to get better," Lynch said.