With Isi Sofele firmly entrenched as the starter and CJ Anderson sidelined with an injury, all eyes are on Brendan Bigelow and Daniel Lasco. If spring ball is any indicator, the future at running back is bright.
The highlight was seeing Bigelow take a handoff on a red zone drill, plant his foot, lower his pads and burst up the middle toward the goal line. When he tried to extend the ball over the goal line, however, the ball squirted loose, much to the displeasure of running backs coach Ron Gould.
"It was a nice run but a poor finish," Gould said. "If he keeps improving and holds onto the ball, he will (have an impact in the fall). If not, he'll be standing on the sidelines with me. There's a level of expectation these guys have to play at. Anything less is not acceptable."
Said Bigelow, "Coach G is something else. He's a great coach, though."
...While the 5-foot-10 Bigelow is a speedster, fellow tailback Daniel Lasco brings more power at 6-1 and 204 pounds. He, too, is trying to show the coaches that he deserves a few carries this season.
"I can't wait until fall comes," said Lasco, a redshirt freshman. "I'm taking all the things Coach G taught me. I want to help the team out as much as possible, whether that's at running back or on special teams."
Lasco sat out Saturday's practice with a sore hamstring and had to watch as Bigelow came up big, especially on the run in which he lost the ball at the goal line.
"He's finally learning to get his pads down and he's using his speed to advantage," Lasco said. "He's going to be a sight to see."
After the jump the women's swimming team brings home two of the NCAA's most coveted awards, Mychal Kendricks prepares to visit a long list of suitors, and one lucky fan will get a chance to call a play at Cal's open practice at the end of the month.
Football
- Tired of the way Tedford and Coach M are calling plays? Call one yourself! One fan will get this opportunity during the spring game.
- Mychal Kendricks will visit Houston, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Baltimore, and Atlanta.
- Uncle Ted was in Berkeley over the weekend to watch the Bears' practice. He posts his recap and notes. He also has video interviews with Jeff Tedford and Zach Maynard.
- Redshirt freshman Jason Gibson embraces the opportunity to try to fill in for Kendricks and D.J. Holt.
- Sandy Barbour talks about finishing the stadium in time for the season opener against Nevada. Everything is going according to schedule and only a disaster would prevent the Bears from playing in New Memorial on September 1st.
- Want to see CJ Anderson's dislocated thumb? You won't after clicking this.
- CalBears interviews pitcher Jocelyn Forest of the championship-winning 2002 team. She pitched a one-hitter to win the championship game against Arizona and was a perfect 8-0 in the postseason that year.