California cornerback Syd’Quan Thompson knew he was at a disadvantage in the 2006 season opener against the University of Tennessee at Neyland Stadium.

It was the first start of his college career, and he had to cover UT star wide receiver Robert Meachem. As if that’s not tough enough, he had to cover him one-handed.

The mismatch couldn’t have been more glaring if a neon sign, flashing “Attack Here,” had been attached to Thompson’s helmet. But the mismatch had little to do with Thompson’s ability.

He entered last fall as a highly touted redshirt freshman who was expected to back up seniors Daymeion Hughes and Tim Mixon. Injuries altered those expectations.

They also played a prominent role in UT’s 35-18 victory that wasn’t nearly as close as the final score.

The worst injury struck Mixon, a second-team preseason All-Pac-10 selection who was expected to team with Hughes, a first-team All-Pac-10 player, to give Cal one of the nation’s strongest cornerback tandems.

Mixon, a three-year starter, suffered a season-ending knee injury in preseason practice. Suddenly, a position of strength became a position of concern.

The concern increased with a second injury. Thompson, a high school All-American from Sacramento, broke his left thumb in preseason workouts.

Mixon’s injury meant he would have to start. His own injury meant he wouldn’t have full use of his left arm, which was placed in a cast.

“The cast went up two inches from the elbow,” Thompson said in a phone interview. “It was a concern, but I tried to block it out. It was hard for me to make those plays.”

Remember those plays? They were two short passes that Meachem quickly converted into touchdowns covering 42 and 80 yards, and stretched UT’s lead to 21-0 early in the third quarter.

Thompson remembers the first one most vividly. He thought the ball was his, not Meachem’s.

“Most definitely,” he said. “When I broke on the ball, my eyes got real big. It just went by me.”

So did Meachem.

Given another couple games worth of college experience, Thompson might have made that play. Given two healthy arms, he might have at least made a tackle on one of Meachem’s touchdowns.

Thompson’s season-opening struggle was indicative of his team’s. But both made a comeback.

After being embarrassed by UT, the Golden Bears won seven consecutive games, six by 18 points or more. They capped a 10-3 season by routing Texas A&M in the Holiday Bowl.

Thompson improved significantly, although he didn’t shed the hard cast until the seventh game. That was replaced with a soft cast, which stayed on through spring drills.

Now, he’s finally cast-free and looking forward to a different kind of season opener against the Vols on Sept. 1. Thompson probably won’t remind UT of the cornerback they saw in last year’s opener. Street & Smith’s preseason football magazine listed him under “The Next Big Thing,” and billed him as Cal’s “next elite cornerback.”

Speed, athleticism and experience all have factored in Thompson’s improvement. His teammates have helped as well.

Hughes, a third-round draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts, served as a mentor to Thompson last season. Thompson also has benefited from two year’s of practice reps against Cal’s heralded wide receivers, including preseason All-American DeSean Jackson.

Thompson probably will be reminded of another big-time receiver when he sees UT orange. But he won’t have to cover him. Meachem is a rookie with the New Orleans Saints.

And the Cal cornerback who covered him now plays with two good arms and a season’s worth of experience.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.