Cal already has lost two defensive starters for next Saturday's season opener against Tennessee. But coach Jeff Tedford doesn't sound concerned.

"We're fine," Tedford said in an interview on the News Sentinel's radio show, The Sports Page. "We've got guys that have played. Those guys are ready to go."

The biggest loss has been at cornerback, where Tim Mixon suffered a season-ending knee injury. Mixon, who started last year, gave Cal two experienced cornerbacks. Senior cornerback Daymeion Hughes is a preseason All-American who made first-team All-Pac-10 last year.

The Golden Bears also will be without tackle Mike Kane, who was expected to start alongside preseason All-American Brandon Mebane on a defensive line ranked as the best in the country by Athlon magazine. Kane had surgery two weeks ago to repair a broken finger on his right hand.

Junior Matt Malele, a former starter, is expected to replace Kane for the opener, but Tedford hasn't decided on who will fill Mixon's spot. Syd'Quan Thompson sounds like the leading candidate.

"Thompson has just been awesome (in preseason camp)," Tedford said. "He's a great cover guy and is very physical."

Thompson, a redshirt freshman, is a former high school All-American who was named the top junior prospect in California in 2003.

Senior Randy Bundy is also contending for the starting job. If necessary, said safeties Robert Peele or Brandon Hampton could move to cornerback, Tedford said.

Rebuilt Line: Guard Erik Robertson and tackle Scott Smith are listed as the only returning starters in Cal's offensive line, but that's a bit misleading.

Sophomore offensive tackle Mike Tepper was scheduled to start last year, but broke his leg in the summer and missed the entire season. Senior offensive tackle Andrew Cameron started the first two games last season before going down with an injury. He started only one more game after that.

Tyler Krieg, a Duke transfer, will add more experience to the offensive line. Krieg, who is enrolled in graduate studies at Cal, started two years at guard for the Blue Devils.

"He's in the mix," Tedford said. "He's done a nice job of learning the offense."

Ryan Deemer, who started two games last season, will start at the other guard. Cameron and senior Scott Smith are the starting tackles. Sophomore Alex Mack is the center. Mack backed up All-Pac-10 center Marvin Phillip last year,

Almost Perfect: Junior placekicker Tom Schneider, who made only nine of 16 field-goal attempts last season, has been outstanding in preseason, according to Tedford.

"I don't think he has missed a kick," Tedford said Wednesday. "He's such a focused guy. He has matured."

Pleasant Surprise: When asked what players had exceeded expectations in preseason, Tedford didn't hesitate in mentioning Cameron Morrah, a 248-pound redshirt freshman tight end.

"He's so athletic," Tedford said. "He's a 6-6 guy who can get downfield. He has really done a nice job at the line of scrimmage. The light has really come on for him in fall camp."

Morrah backs up junior Craig Stevens, who was honorable mention All-Pac-10 last season.

Extra Points: Cal has so much experienced depth that only a few freshmen are expected to play. Tyson Alualu, who was a member of Cal's 2005 recruiting class but enrolled this year, is in the defensive-line rotation. ... Freshman running back James Montgomery has excelled in preseason camp, but Cal is loaded at that position. ... Seven Golden Bears have made at least one preseason All-America first or second team. ... Cal is averaging 48.8 points in four season openers under Tedford.