With Jorge out for at least two games, Cal needs someone to fill in as the sixth man.

USC, Cal coach Mike Montgomery said it's up to others to provide the "energy rush" off the bench the Bears typically get from their sophomore sixth man.

Gutierrez had his second MRI in two weeks Monday, and it showed no damage beyond the problems he continues to have after surgery last spring to have some meniscus cartilage tissue removed from his knee.

"He's got some issues in there with not enough cushioning," Montgomery said. "He just came down wrong and traumatized the knee, so it's barking back at him."

Barring a "miraculous recovery," Gutierrez won't be available for USC, either, but he will not require surgery. Montgomery said he's hoping the 6-foot-3 guard can play next week when the Bears visit Washington State and Washington.
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Still, someone needs to fill the void left by Gutierrez, whose defensive intensity has game-changing capacity. Montgomery said he talked with subs Omondi Amoke, Nikola Knezevic, Brandon Smith and D.J. Seeley about providing the hustle and energy Gutierrez displays.

"It's hard to replace a guy like Jorge, just because of the intangibles he brings," Montgomery said.

After the jump we have JO's season in review for the running backs and some last-minute UCLA info, including a scouting report and Wilner's pick for both the game and the spread.

Cal Football

• Five Cal players are playing in post-season all-star games: Syd and Alualu in the Senior bowl and Tepper, Tucker, and Syd in the East-West Shrine Game.
• JO reviews the season for running backs.  He calls them the most productive unit of the team and said when they struggle, it's usually for factors beyond their control (O-line).  JO gives them a B+.