Oregon State vs. Cal
If the Beavers want to open up Pac-10 play with a win, OSU quarterback Matt Moore and company will need to keep the ball away from defensive back Daymeion Hughes and Cal's secondary
Matt Boase
Issue date: 9/29/06 Section: Sports
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They look tough now, but the No. 20 Golden Bears looked like a weak team following their season opener at Tennessee. The Volunteers used big plays to put Cal in an early hole that the Bears were unable to climb out of.
Since that game, Nate Longshore has taken over as Cal's signal caller and the Bears have been stellar. They've averaged nearly 44 points per game in their last three contests and have seen outstanding play provided by their big name players.
They've shown no real weaknesses and have a standout in the running game, passing game and on defense.
The runner that has shown the most this season is Marshawn Lynch. He's averaging well over 100 yards per game and is gaining 7.2 yards every time he runs with the ball.
The Beavers struggled stopping Boise State's running attack on the 'SmurfTurf' with Ian Johnson ripping off big chunks and scoring five touchdowns.
Now that OSU is entering conference play, the quality of opposing runner is only expected to go up, but OSU won't be caught off guard. The defense has been preparing for the challenge Lynch represents all week.
"We've just told the running backs in practice to keep running and give us some better angles so that all 11 guys on the field can pursue the ball," said sophomore cornerback Keenan Lewis. "We're doing better with the run."
Last season, it was the passing game that yielded big plays to opposing offenses. Now the secondary has returned as a more seasoned group, and is shutting down the passing game. Through the first three games, OSU has only given up one touchdown through the air. That's a big improvement from the squad that ranked last in the Pac-10 in that same category last year.
However, this week OSU faces one of the most explosive receivers in the nation in DeSean Jackson. This 6-feet-0, 166 pound speedster has six touchdowns through the first four games this year and would love to add to that total against the Beavers.
Looking to keep Jackson out of the zone are Lewis, fellow sophomore corner Brandon Hughes and junior transfer corner Coye Francies. All three will likely get a shot at slowing down Jackson.
"We feel good with any one of our DBs matching up against him," Lewis said. "If he's on my side I'll get him, but if he's not, we have 100 percent confidence in the other side."
Looking to shut down OSU's passing game is Cal's interception machine, Daymeion Hughes. Hughes already has five picks this year.
Last season, OSU quarterback Matt Moore struggled with interceptions, but was able to throw for big yardage. This year he's playing a more reserved style and protecting the ball. He has thrown two interceptions through his first three games and is averaging 124 yards passing per contest.
His first big test this year looks to be Hughes, but Moore - now in his second season in the same offense for the first time in his football career - thinks he can exploit the aggressive style Hughes displays.
"He jumps routes and he's really aggressive," Moore said. "He's their most experienced corner, but we might try a couple of double-moves on him. We'll probably stay away from him, but when we do throw at him, we'll be accurate."
The conference opener could be a good test for how Moore will do against Pac-10 opponents, but he's not thinking about that. Instead, he is focused on the bigger picture.
"It's important for me because it's important for the team," Moore said. "My personal goal is the same as the team's - I just want to win."
A win in the first Pac-10 game of the season would be big for OSU, not only because of the victory, but also because of the opponent.
"Everybody's been saying we didn't play anybody, so to open up the Pac-10 with Cal - which is supposed to be one of the dominant teams in the conference - is a big game," Lewis said.
A win against Cal would not only boost team morale, but would also move head coach Mike Riley to an even .500 record at OSU. It's a lot of pressure for the Beaver players, but there's nothing left to do other than play the game and see what happens.
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