As is the usual custom during the first couple weeks of bowl preparation, most of the younger players had a chance to participate heavily in practice. In addition to bowl prep, Tedford is busy building the next generation of Cal players.

"A lot of this is very basic plays for some of our young guys to run and things like that, so this weekend and next weekend -- next weekend's a huge recruiting weekend -- and it will be no different. We'll spend most of the day -- and nights - recruiting," said head coach Jeff Tedford. "I got finished with my last meeting with a recruit probably 15 minutes before I came on the field today. I spent all morning doing that and I spent all night last night recruiting and I'll spend all night tonight recruiting and all morning tomorrow recruiting, so there's not a lot that goes into it (practice). I already prepared all the practice schedules from now until the end of bowl practice, and all that's going to change is what goes in these sections (play scripts). It'll be game plan instead of just generic."
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A simpler playbook this week has allowed the redshirting freshmen a chance to shine, including tailback Daniel Lasco.

"Lasco did a good job. He had a long touchdown run, so he looked good. It was really uneventful," Tedford said of Saturday's practice. "It was full gear, a good practice. We got some hitting in, it was good. The ones and twos got limited reps and then we let some of the young guys go live a little bit, so it was nice."

While the youngsters get their reps, Maynard continues to improve his game.

"This week, I'm just focusing on fundamentals right now," Maynard said. "I really don't know who we're playing, so we're just playing against our defense, trying to manipulate them the best way I can and focusing on my academics, trying to stay strong in the classroom."

After the jump the Bears pick up a commitment from a punter/kicker, swimming competes in Atlanta, and women's basketball cruises to a win over CSU Bakersfield.

Football

• There were no big changes in Cal's potential bowl picture on Saturday.

• The Bears received a committment from Cole Leininger out of Bartram Trail in Florida.

Basketball