Cal by the Numbers
Related Link
Tennessee Stat Book
BERKELEY, Calif. — Last year’s Cal-Tennessee game still leaves Cal wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins speechless.
“I just want to say …,” he began. “I really can’t say what I want to say.”
That’s as close as a Cal player came to providing bulletin-board material for the Vols this week. But just when Cal’s senior wide receiver seemed on the verge of proclaiming payback against UT, he restrained himself.
“I’m just looking forward to this game,” he said with a big smile.
Tonight’s game at California Memorial Stadium is Cal’s chance to atone for a 35-18 loss to UT in last year’s season opener at Neyland Stadium.
“I still can’t watch that game,” Hawkins said. “I’ll watch the first quarter (then stop). It just hurt so bad.
“The whole world was watching. We were supposed to be one of the best teams in the nation. It was embarrassing.”
He has watched the worst of that game. Coach Jeff Tedford didn’t give him a choice.
A week before Cal began spring practice, Tedford had the players watch a video he compiled from the UT game.
“It was about 10 minutes of bad plays for everybody,” Hawkins said.
Some of the lowlights included dropped passes and missed blocks by the wide receivers.
“I just don’t think we prepared ourselves well enough,’ Hawkins said of the receivers.
Cal’s receiving corps bounced back from that game to have an outstanding season. Preseason All-American DeSean Jackson led the Golden Bears with 59 catches for 1,060 yards. Robert Jordan had 46 catches for 571 yards.
Jackson, Jordan and Hawkins all return this season. So does tight end Craig Stevens, who had 17 catches for 239 yards.
Calling Cal Fans: Tedford challenged Golden Bears fans to turn up the volume tonight against UT.
“I’d like for our fans to make it the same type of environment we faced last year at Tennessee,” Tedford said. “Our fans have always answered the bell when we asked them to step up.
“We need to make sure we make it difficult for them when they’re on offense.”
Fast Recovery: Cal fullback Will Ta’ufo’ou was expected to be out for three to six weeks after suffering a preseason knee injury. Now, he’s listed as “day-to-day.”
Although his recovery is ahead of schedule, he’s not expected to play against UT.
Zack Smith, who transferred to Cal after graduating from Duke in only three years, and Brian Holley are expected to share the fullback duties until Ta’ufo’ou is healthy.
Very Special: Cal has some of the best special-teams players in college football.
Jackson led the nation in punt-return average (18.2 yards) and returned four punts for touchdowns.
Thomas DeCoud, a starting safety, has blocked six kicks in the last three years.
Punter Andrew Larson averaged 42.6 yards and made second-team All-Pac-10 last season.
Placekicker Tom Schneider hit all 52 of his extra-point kicks and made 15 of 20 field-goal tries last season. He tied a school record for the longest field goal with a 55-yarder against Stanford and ranks fourth all-time on the school’s career scoring list.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Memorable moments in Pat Summitt's…
Phillip Fulmer through the years
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 15
BahamaVol writes:
Happy game day everbody...this day is better than Christmas. I just cracked open my first Budweiser Tall Boy. Down here it is about $60 a case, so that is only for special occasions. Watching the Vols trounce the bears is a special occasion. LET'S GO BIG ORANGE!!!
Vol43 writes:
BahamaVol...That is a little pricey to say the least. We shoulda sent you some 'Tennessee Tea' instead! Have a great dayand GO VOLUNTEERS!
tennecwingrider writes:
This game atmosphere is kind of reminiscent of the 1985 Sugar Bowl when we played Miami. All the talk before that game from Miami was that they, not Oklahoma, deserved to win the National Chanmpionship after what they assumed would be a big win in the Sugar Bowl. They forgot there was a game to play first. We won 35-7. All we have heard from Cal and the media is REVENGE, REVENGE, REVENGE!!! No one has really talked about a game that has yet to to be played, except us. I think this team and our coaches are focused and intend to beat Cal again in front of "the world."
BornaVolDieaVol writes:
"UT players not talking much for Cal".... we don't have to say a word after last year. Our play on the field spoke for itself, and proved what Les Miles said earlier last month.
imallvol#223076 writes:
No.15 against No.12 on the first weekend of college football. Yeehaaww!! This is what it is all about folks! Just like last year the west coast is going to see firsthand what it is like to play in the SEC!! Smashed mouths and Big Knocks,Baby!! GO VOLS !!!
Calbears40 writes:
Does anyone know anything about this guy...WR Kenny O'Neal? The article says he flys, runs like a 4.2 forty. Hes originally from georgia but played highschool in oakland, Ca. Just wondering, sounds like he has speed to burn!
andy112382#209793 writes:
Yea, Kenny O'Neal can fly, he played for Florida State, had some issues there and went juco, he was a real good returner I believe from what I read. He also had so good receiving numbers for the Noles. He has been flying under the radar I think, I know he has had ups and downs in the scrimmages, but also dont forget how much of the practices were closed, I am wondering what they are keeping secret until gametime. GO VOLS!!!
wkjq#213863 writes:
What they don't realize is, we play in a loud stadium every game. Just the difference in playing in Cal. and in the SEC. I doubt our guys will be overwhelmed. GO VOLS GO!
jwGOLDENBEAR writes:
This year I'm afraid all of you UT fans will be REALLY disappointed at the results of your Cal visit. Out team is better this year; quicker, faster, & more athletic. From what I've been reading in the Knoxville newspapers, your UT team has some flaws that should be exposed next Saturday. But...enjoy the scenery at one of the most magnificent stadiums in the world as you view the dreaded outcome. All of us here in Bear country wish you a successful remainder of the season!
gohawks1 writes:
I agree with tennecwingrider. That Miami team received a big shock in '85, and Cal is doing a lot of talking about revenge before the first snap. I watched that TN/Miami game on DVD a few weeks ago. The Vols DVDs always help get me through the off-season. But now the big day is here! GO VOLS!
invisiblekid writes:
Ditto TDTN and all I am hearing from the GoldenBear and the talking heads on ESPN is blah blah blah, let's see how things go on the field in an hour.
BleedOrange writes:
I hate to say it but Cal is gonna win today. It will come down to special teams and they have a decisive advantage. However, who cares? Cal is nothing but a bunch of hippies. If this game were to be in about 3-4 weeks we would win big, but not today. No matter. Real football starts in 2 weeks when we beat Florida. The east is won 10/6 in Knoxville.
505paul writes:
What kind of P poor D was that. Pass Pass Pass can't ut run.
BleedOrange writes:
I called it for months. Loosing to cal is expected. I figured we would be fine afterwards. What wasn't expected was our D line getting totally dominated. If that continues go ahead and chalk up an 8-5 or 9-4 season at best.
CoverOrange writes:
D line dominated, O line dominated, can't tackle, few YACs. All the freakin morons that said we had too much speed and were too tough for the soft Pac-10 should be forced to watch that game over and over again. Who is the defensive coordinator and what have you done with John Chavis?
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.