College Football
Pac-10 preview: No. 2 California Bears

JED JACOBSOHN / GETTY Geoff McArthur had a team-leading 1,504 receiving yards last season.

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2003: 8-6 (5-3 in Pac-10).

Coach: Jeff Tedford (third year, 15-11).

What's to like: QB Aaron Rodgers was one of the league's brightest newcomers in '03, completing 62 percent. RB J.J. Arrington had a 5.7 yards-per-carry average. Receivers, led by Geoff McArthur (1,504 yards in '03), should be Cal's best in years. LBs and DBs return intact, and S Donnie McCleskey was all-league.

Up in the air: Arrington must replace all-league Adimchinobe Echemandu, and Bears will miss standout OT Mark Wilson, who graduated. Senior DT Lorenzo Alexander must fulfill promise.

Impact newcomer: Freshman TB Marshawn Lynch, who might challenge for time.

Key performer: DE Ryan Riddle had 6.5 sacks last year. Bears expect upgrade in pass rush after Riddle added 20 pounds in offseason.

Stud student: G Jonathan Giesel, 3.5 graduate in religious studies, currently pursuing master's.

Bottom line: Cal looks like clearly the No. 2 team in the league, but the schedule is demanding, with four of first five on the road.

Offense
Pos.	Player	Yr.	Comment
WR	Geoff McArthur	Sr.	85 receptions, 1,504 yards, 10 TDs last year
LT	Andrew Cameron	So.	Has added 30 pounds, up to 320
LG	Aaron Merz	Jr.	Began as walk-on, part-time starter in '03
C	Marvin Philip	Jr.	Started final five games last season
RG	Jonathan Giesel	Sr.	Converted DL has battled injuries at Cal
RT	Ryan O'Callaghan	Jr.	340-pounder missed spring with injury
TE	Garrett Cross	Sr.	Recovering from a broken leg
WR	J. Makonnen	Sr.	Caught 14 passes in three games
QB	Aaron Rodgers	Jr.	Threw for 2,903 yards with 19 TDs, 5 INTs
FB	Chris Manderino	Jr.	Job is to block; only 13 carries last year
TB	J.J. Arrington	Sr.	Ran for 607 yards as a backup last year
K	A. Binswanger	Fr.	Competing with Tom Schneider for job
Defense
Pos.	Player	Yr.	Comment
DE	Ryan Riddle	Sr.	29 tackles — 7-1/2 for loss, 6-1/2 sacks
DT	Lorenzo Alexander	Sr.	Two-time Pac-10 hon.-mention choice
DT	Tom Sverchek	Sr.	Made 36 tackles last season
DE	Tosh Lupoi	Sr.	Five tackles for loss, three sacks in '03
OLB	Joe Maningo	Sr.	Has fought injuries, could be premier LB
MLB	Wendell Hunter	Sr.	94 tackles, hon. mention all-Pac-10
OLB	Ryan Foltz	Jr.	200-pounder is converted safety
CB	Harrison Smith	Jr.	Sophomore Tim Mixon will play, too
ROV	Donnie McCleskey	Jr.	Made 102 tackles in '03 to lead team
FS	Ryan Gutierrez	Sr.	Made 93 tackles last season
CB	Daymeion Hughes	So.	Returned one of two INTs 72 yards for TD
P	David Lonie	Jr.	Hit an 80 yarder in camp

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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