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BERKELEY, Calif. - Cal coach Jeff Tedford said Saturday night's 45-31 victory over Tennessee was important if for no other reason than it answered questions about his program.
"I'd heard a lot of comments that the SEC is a more physical conference,'' Tedford said. "I hope that (game) answered some of those questions.
"It was a big win; we've been carrying this for a year.''
The Golden Bears, who lost 35-18 to Tennessee last year at Neyland Stadium, rolled up 471 total yards on the Vols before the crowd of 72,516 at Memorial Stadium.
California's offense came by ground as well as air, as the Golden Bears out-rushed UT 230-111.
Tedford said his familiarity with Tennessee's defense helped him with his play-calling, as Cal converted on six of 13 third-down opportunities.
"Last year they had some wrinkles, and it was the first time we'd seen it,'' said Tedford, who didn't call Cal's plays last season. "After playing them once, it was easier.''
Tedford said he was impressed with the Vols' offense.
"It kind of looked like Peyton Manning's offense,'' Tedford said, referring to the NFL star with the Indianapolis Colts and former UT quarterback. "I bet Peyton spent a few days there installing the no-huddle. They did a nice job offensively.''
California linebacker Worrell Williams said UT quarterback Erik Ainge showed a lot of talent and poise.
"We had a couple of words on the field," Williams said, "but he's a good dude, and he's smart.
"He made some good checks at the line, and the pressure didn't seem to bother him too much. Maybe this wasn't a big enough stage for him.''
Tedford praised his quarterback's poise as well. Cal quarterback Nate Longshore was 19-of-28 passing for 241 touchdowns and no interceptions.
"Tonight, Nate couldn't wait to get on the field,'' Tedford said. "The game has slowed down in his eyes, and he's done a phenomenal job as a leader.''
For Kicks: When Cal senior kicker Tom Schneider pulled a quad muscle during warm ups it put junior kicker Jordan Kay in a tough position.
But Kay, who had never kicked in a game, handled it, making all six of his extra-point attempts and a 27-yard field goal.
One To Watch: Receiver DeSean Jackson began his Heisman Trophy campaign with a 77-yard punt return for a TD, four catches for 45 yards and a run for 21 yards.
Jackson returned four punts for touchdowns last season and averaged 18.2 per return, both school records.
The California Athletic Department and website partner CSTV launched a promotional site to follow Jackson’s season. The site is www.The1ToWatch.com.
Jackson said he was glad UT punted to him on at least one occasion.
“I wasn’t surprised they kicked to me, but I knew I was fortunate to get that opportunity,’’ Jackson said. “I saw a lot of white jerseys, but I made a couple of moves to get to my wall and hit the seam.’’
Raging Bull: Junior tailback Justin Forsett showed he's ready to fill Marshawn Lynch's shoes with a 26-carry, 156-yard performance.
"I knew after that first carry we were going to be able to do some things,'' Forsett said. "Our offensive line had done some things in fall camp, so I kind of knew.''
Forsett said bulletin board material provided by UT's Jonathan Hefney gave Cal added incentive.
"We were already motivated, but that was the icing on the cake,'' Forsett said. "We had to show them we could be physical.
"I heard (Hefney) out there a couple of times. I just smiled and left. Talking back would take too much energy.''
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Comments » 15
BigUn writes:
I thought that Hef's comments earlier in the week were stupid. And tonight proved it.
snafu14u#241639 writes:
Hefney showed very little class or talent on the playing field also.Big mouth no backup.bonzaivol
filmjr#558361 writes:
Longshore passed for 241 touchdowns?
Plasticman writes:
When you're down by 14 pts. with a few minutes left in the game , it's time to stop trash talking (Mr. Hefney) Why not let your play do the talking? You need to worry more about not whiffing tackles and wrapping up than talking trash on ( and off) the field...
jlange#632002 writes:
A DE who can pressure off the edge, a deep threat WR and for goodness sake, a kickoff/ punt coverage unit. Develop those and this is a solid team.
TommyJack writes:
trash talkin/jive-ass ball...who needs it?
jdcvols#230433 writes:
Where is Foolmer?? I want to hear from him!!!
Oenoboy writes:
Fulmer doesn't answer to you guys.
Foolmer? That’s Mr. or Coach Fulmer to you. Show respect to the best coach we’ve had since the General and to the man who brought this program back to national prominence. He has more knowledge and passion for this team than you guys could bring your pea sized brains and hearts to fathom.
invisiblekid writes:
I feel like one of the quotes from Tedford is worth commenting on. "Last year they had some wrinkles, and it was the first time we'd seen it,'' said Tedford, who didn't call Cal's plays last season. "After playing them once, it was easier.'' What kind of adjustments can we expect our SEC foes to make after playing us year in and year out if Tedford and his team picked up on tendencies after one game? Their defense adjusted at half time to the only thing we had going offensively last night, the short passing game. Foster got nearly half his rushing total on one play and, as has been stated time and again by the announcers and folk here, there wasn't a WR capable of stretching the defense. Defensively, I had been hoping and thinking with my heart that Mapu and Bolden would step up but it didn't happen. And until it does or someone else takes their place, this is going to be a long season. Posted on a couple of other threads already, but we are 3-4 in our last seven games and teams are running at will on us. Until that changes, every game is going to be a struggle.
virginiaandlaloma writes:
Why all the hand-wringing acrimony?
Get a clue. You have a tough, physical, gutsy football team, and they're going to win some big games this year.
Cal came to play, plain and simple. The Pac-10 is loaded with talent, 6 teams deep, and we can hit with anyone. Any more doubters out there?
Stop whining.
Respect your opponent.
Play football.
rswahn52#407638 writes:
You Vol fans are pretty tough. I thought Tenn played an awesome game. I don't know if you realize that you played a pretty good football team with amazing speed at the skill positions. The Bears have a LOT of talent. I also don't think the Vol fans gave their team enough credit for the way they kicked our butts last year. Everyone was saying we fell on our a** but it was more UT playing great than us playing bad.
Give your team a break!
avidvol writes:
With the exception of QB and possibly punter I thought Cal had better athletes at every position--better specimens, more enthusiasm, and better execution. We'll get better but, with the vicissitudes of recruiting, years like '88 and '05 (and '07?) are not uncommon just unwelcome. I wish UT had the recruiting base of TX, CA, FL, PA, OH, or the national draw of ND or, dare I say it, Appalachian State.
kalij#244795 writes:
I have waited a day in order to render a more objective opinion of last nights debaucle in la la land. Coach Fulmer looked as if he had no fire and energy and didn't really care if we won (punting on 4th down late in the 4th qtr instead if tryning to score, etc) and the defense and special teams mirrored this attitude. We URGENTLY need someone to coach our foot ball team that has that Bruce Pearl fire to motivate our young football players. I suggest we give Phil an assistant AD job and offer the Appalachian State coach a sizeable increase in salary in order to save what little national respect we still have in the prime time media. Mr. AD, Tennessee fans and students deserve a better image than we have have projected in prime time media in the last several years. For the good of the university Phil, step down! You have had moments of greatness, but now you are making us appear as a second rate football school.
grvol writes:
Come on Fulmer, you can come up with a better username than Oenoboy.
BuckFama writes:
Sounds like many of our fans are acting much like they claim our defense played Saturday evening. Go ahead, folks, give up. Go ahead and jump.
When you have the opponents' fans coming on your website and telling you to grow up, it has pretty much hit rock-bottom for you as a fan.
Last year, we had some idiots, one in particular, come to this site and demand that Fulmer be replaced with Tedford. Then Fulmer tags a 35 points whippin' on the Bears (and don't come back with the 18 points that Cal came up with ... Fulmer had already put in the scrubs when Tedford was finally able to score) and you didn't hear from those witless, cowardly hacks for the entire season. Not even after several posters called them out. Now, it's coach Moore from Appy State. If you guys think Fulmer is an embarrassment, then look in the mirror!
Cal has a very fine football team. They are very athletic and, yes, they are well-coached. I think Tedford is awesome. But he has yet to match what we have at Tennessee. That is no knock on him. He may do it. He may not. But they won one game against the Vols, and although it was a good win against a quality opponent, they have to go back out and play 11 more before bowl time. Just like Tennessee. Let's see how it works out.
But believe me when I say that if Tedford coached at Tennessee and we had just beaten another team 45-31, you same mouth-breaters would be berating him for allowing that team to score 31.
But Fulmer is no fool, and the real tragedy is that none of you guys are opposing coaches who would have to play one of Fulmer's teams on the field and not in your fantasy world. You guys have no idea how to recruit, you have no contacts in the world of recruiting, and it would be hilarious to see you even try to put together a team. And once you did, it would be even more amusing to see you try to coach your players in a game situation while on the field as opposed to on the couch. There is no similarity between what Fulmer's job entails and what your level of acquaintance with football is, that is, holding a controller and selecting A, B, X or Y. It's been stated a million times : there is no easier job than Sunday morning quarterback, but you guys seem to revel in it.
Go have another bowl of Tender Vittles. Even you should be able to figure out that one.
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