Aug. 22, 2010

Post-Practice Video: Darian Hagan | Jeff Tedford, Marvin Jones and Jarred Price
2010 Cal Football: Outlook | Schedule | Roster | Tickets | Information Guide Post-Practice Video: Darian Hagan
2010 Cal Football: Outlook | Schedule | Roster | Tickets | Information Guide

BERKELEY - The Cal football team got over the hump on Saturday at Memorial Stadium by finishing the fourth and final double day of its 2010 training camp. The day started with an early morning workout in chilly and foggy conditions, but the sun broke through for the afternoon practice to make for a nice and warm setting.

The Golden Bears first practice of the day was highlighted by the final team session when the offense worked in the red zone. All three quarterbacks got the ball into the end zone at least once.

Kevin Riley completed three consecutive touchdown passes during the drill at one point, connecting with Jarrett Sparks (eight yards), Shane Vereen (eight yards) and Tevin Carter (three yards).

Beau Sweeney had a four-yard touchdown run.

Ryan Wertenberger ended the morning workout by hooking up twice in a row with Spencer Hagan on scoring strikes of eight and four yards.

The defense had a big practice in the afternoon workout, allowing the offense to score only one touchdown and one field goal during seven drives, including the final four that started at the defense's 25-yard line.

Jarred Price had four sacks during the session, while other big defensive plays included a two-yard tackle for loss by Mychal Kendricks on a third-and-one situation at the defense's 16-yard line, and a freak interception on the final play of the practice when Sweeney hit a wide-open Jacob Wark in the end zone only to have the ball bounce off Wark and into the arms of a waiting Steven Fanua, who returned it 12 yards.

The longest offensive play of the day came when Riley hit wide receiver Keenan Allen on a short slant pattern that turned into a 44-yard gain when Allen sliced his way through the defense and took off down the sideline before dropping the ball at the opponents' 23-yard line on his way to a possible touchdown.

Shane Vereen took several reps during his second day back at full-go, rushing three times for 14 yards during team sessions in the second practice.

Isi Sofele had the offense's only touchdown during the second workout, scoring from two yards out. He finished with three carries for 14 yards, while Dasarte Yarnway had two rushes for 10 yards.

The other points for the Cal offense during the second practice came when Giorgio Tavecchio was good on his only attempt form 36 yards out.

The team also went through its typical individual drills during both practices, with the highlights including a couple of long touchdown receptions from Michael Calvin and Kaelin Clay during route-running drills in the afternoon practice.

FOCUS ON FULLBACKS
Tedford addressed the team's fullback situation after practice and the emergence of Eric Stevens, who has been given the majority of the first-team practice reps after Will Kapp suffered a concussion prior to the start of training camp and missed much of the first part of the workouts.

"Eric's done very well," said Tedford. "He took most of the reps there at fullback when Will [Kapp] was hurt in the beginning. "It's great for Eric. That's what he needs is experience, and he's gotten that throughout this camp."

Tedford said that he has not determined who will be the team's starter at the fullback spot.

"I don't know, we still have another week of camp," he said when asked about the battle. "We'll figure it out then, but I imagine they'll probably switch off. They were the top two fullbacks coming into camp. It's unfortunate Will was injured right from the get-go."

YOUNG PLAYERS IMPROVING
Tedford pointed out that several of the team's young players are improving rapidly.

"I think some of the young guys are getting better," said Tedford. "Nick Forbes and David Wilkerson are getting better as they learn it. For some of the young guys the learning curve is the biggest thing for them. The more reps they get, the more they understand what we're trying to get done and the better they are because they're good players. They just need to know what to do. As they've gained more experience, they've improved quite a bit."

OLD-SCHOOL MUSIC
Located next door to the famed Greek Theatre that has been the site of many memorable concerts throughout its history, the music also continued to pour out of the Memorial Stadium sound system during the team's pre and post-practice stretching sessions. The Bears went old-school on Saturday with songs such as the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" released in 1969 and Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop `Til You Get Enough" that came out 10 years later.

2010 CAL FOOTBALL PREVIEW SHOW TO REPLAY ON CSN CALIFORNIA TUESDAY
The 2010 Cal Football Preview show will replay on Comcast SportsNet California on Tuesday, Aug. 24, at 7:30 p.m. PT. Hosted by Damon Andrews, the show includes a sit-down interview with head coach Jeff Tedford and a candid look at quarterback Kevin Riley. Tailback Shane Vereen will take viewers behind the scenes with his Flip Video camcorder to get the scoop on the team's offensive line.

The show also examines Cal's new-look defense headed by former NFL defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast in his first season with the Bears, and anchored by preseason All-American linebacker Mike Mohamed and defensive lineman Cameron Jordan. The program made its debut on CSN California on Aug. 20 and played again the following day.

For additional air dates and times, visit CSNCalifornia.com.

2010 REGULAR-SEASON SCHEDULE
Cal opens its 2010 season by hosting UC Davis at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 4 (1:00 p.m. PT) in a game to be televised locally on Comcast SportsNet California. The entire 12-game 2010 Cal football regular-season schedule during the final season in the current configuration of Memorial Stadium is listed below.

Day, Date - Opponent - Time (TV)
Sat., Sept. 4 - vs. UC Davis - 1 p.m. PT (CSN California)
Sat., Sept. 11 - vs. Colorado - 12:30 p.m. PT (Fox Sports Net; locally on CSN Bay Area)
Fri., Sept. 17 - at Nevada - 7:00 p.m. PT (ESPN2)
*Sat., Sept. 25 - at Arizona - 7:00 p.m. MT/PT (CSN Plus)
*Sat., Oct. 9 - vs. UCLA (Homecoming) - TBA (TBA)
*Sat., Oct. 16 - at USC - 12:30 p.m. (FSN)
*Sat., Oct. 23 -vs. Arizona State - TBA (TBA)
*Sat., Oct. 30 - at Oregon State - TBA (TBA)
*Sat., Nov. 6 - at Washington State - TBA (TBA)
*Sat., Nov. 13 - vs. Oregon - TBA (TBA)
*Sat., Nov. 20 - vs. Stanford - 12:30 p.m. (Fox Sports Net; locally on CSN Bay Area)
*Sat., Nov. 27 - vs. Washington - TBA (TBA) *Pac-10 Game

CAL FOOTBALL
When Cal takes the field for the first time in 2010, the Golden Bears will do so as one of the most accomplished Pac-10 teams of the last eight years. Cal's 67 victories over that period (an average of 8.4 wins per season) are the second-most by a Pac-10 squad. The Bears have a current school-record-tying string of eight consecutive winning seasons, making head coach Jeff Tedford one of only eight FBS coaches with an active winning streak of at least that length. Cal has also won five bowl games, made seven bowl appearances and captured seven Big Games over Stanford during Tedford's tenure - all at least equaling school records for a Cal coach.

For a complete 2010 season outlook, visit CalBears.com.

CAL FOOTBALL TICKETS
Call the Cal Athletic Ticket Office at (800) GO BEARS or visit CalBears.com to purchase your 2010 season tickets now. Cal fans that purchase season tickets and maintain their donation levels this year will have access to the best possible season-ticket seat locations when Cal football plays at AT&T Park in 2011 and returns to the renovated Memorial Stadium in 2012.