CAL FOOTBALL
This Is Bear Territory

By John Sudsbury

Tedford-Jackson

"You know it, you know the story, tell the whole world, this is Bear Territory."

Behind one of its popular rallying cheers, the California football team aims to put an even larger footprint on the Bay Area as "Bear Territory" in 2007. One of the most potent offenses in college football returns for the 2007 season, ready to show off its stable of playmakers and pile up the points, while the Cal defense will again prepare to shut down its foes.

Head coach Jeff Tedford has built the Golden Bears into one of the top programs in the nation, leading California to four straight bowl victories and top-10 national rankings in each of the last three years. Cal's 36 wins over the last four years are the most in any four-year stretch in over 50 years for the Bears.

Leading the way to continued success in 2007 is a receiving corps rated among the best in the country. Oakland's own Robert Jordan has caught passes in 30 straight games, while Stockton product Lavelle Hawkins is a big-play star, but capturing the bulk of the bright lights has been Heisman Trophy candidate DeSean Jackson, a lightning quick receiver and the top return man in the nation. Just a junior, Jackson had four punt return touchdowns in 2006. Meanwhile, quarterback Nate Longshore has the luxury of his three star receivers to build on an impressive 2006 season which saw him become just the second Bear quarterback in history to pass for over 3,000 yards.

The Bears won't be all passing, however, as senior Justin Forsett steps into a prime-time role at running back. The powerful back has exceptional quickness and poise and should prove to be a handful for opposing defenses as he hopes to give Tedford his ninth straight year with a 1,000-yard rusher.

While Cal Football is usually associated with offense, the Golden Bear defense has ranked in the top two in the Pac-10 in points allowed in each of the last three years. Expect more of the same as junior linebacker Zack Follett, safeties Brandon Hampton and Thomas DeCoud and cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson prepare to shut down the opposition again in 2007. Expected to make major contributions on the defensive line is former high school All-American and Bay-Area product Derrick Hill, from Oakland's McClymonds High School.

Tedford has built the Bears into an undeniable power on the gridiron and that success has led to a line of records at the turnstiles. Last season, Cal averaged a record 64,318 fans at its seven home games. In addition, Memorial Stadium, which has been ranked as the No. 1 venue in the country to watch a college football game, has seen 50,000-plus fans at 18 straight games. This year's schedule features six Division I-A opponents, including USC and inter-sectional foe Tennessee, which makes its first trip to Berkeley for the opener on September 1.

Tickets for all Golden Bear athletic events are available by calling 1-800-GO-BEARS or by visiting www.CalBears.com.

Come to Berkeley and see why "This is Bear Territory."