Make no mistake, with or without starting quarterback Nate Longshore, Cal’s offense is tough.
The Golden Bears have three fast playmakers at the wide receiver position, most notably DeSean Jackson, who was described by UCLA safety Dennis Keyes as the fastest guy he’s played against.
They have a running game led by running back Justin Forsett that is more than capable of balancing the potent passing attack.
If there is a relatively weak link, it’s the quarterback position. Longshore and his backup Kevin Riley are not world beaters, but they are competent.
Thus the onus falls on UCLA’s defense line.
They will have to put pressure on the quarterback, whoever it ends up being, if they are to force Cal into a one-dimensional attack.
“We have to put a tremendous amount of pressure on them, especially if it’s the freshman (Riley),” defensive end and sack specialist Bruce Davis said. “If he steps out there he better be ready, and if Longshore steps out there, he better be ready. I’m not afraid to say they’re the first great team we’ve faced this year, because they are. But it doesn’t matter who steps out there.
“We know about them and they know about us. It’s going to be a fistfight the whole game.”
The problem is that if the Bruins are successful at cutting off the Bears’ passing game, they’ll only earn themselves a stronger dose of Cal’s running attack ““ and stopping Forsett and Co. has proven to be no small feat.
“This is definitely one of the best rush offenses in the country,” defensive tackle Kevin Brown said. “They do a great job up front, and they have great running backs and great tight ends. They keep it balanced with their ability to run reverses and trick plays. They’ve got a pretty good running attack.”
Davis was even more effusive in his praise of Forsett.
“He’s definitely the best running back we’ve seen this year,” Davis said. “He’s got everything. He’s explosive, he’s got good hips, he comes out of his breaks really well. He’s a big play guy. They’ve got everything they need on that offense.”
And the Bruins are hoping they have everything they need to stop the Bears.
COWAN BACK AT PRACTICE: Quarterback Patrick Cowan, who has been sitting out with an MCL sprain, is back in practice this week and is likely to start against Cal, depending on how he looks the remainder of the week.
“Pat looked pretty good out there,” coach Karl Dorrell said. “He did everything, and didn’t want to miss anything.”
Cowan hurt his knee during the Bruins’ 44-31 victory over Washington on Sept. 22.
NOTES: Linebacker John Hale was back practicing … Running back Chris Markey, who has been out with turf toe, did some light practicing on the side but it is not known if he will be able to play this weekend … Linebacker Reggie Carter had sutures removed from his knee following surgery and could play this weekend.