Lynch launches first-place Bears

BERKELEY, Calif. – Marshawn Lynch caught one of Nate Longshore’s three touchdown passes and ran for another score as No. 10 California won its eighth straight, 38-24 over UCLA (4-5, 2-4 Pac-10) on Saturday night.

Robert Jordan had two touchdown catches and DeSean Jackson romped 72 yards on his school-record fourth TD punt return in just 20 games at first-place Cal (8-1, 6-0), which moved one big step closer to its first conference title since 1975.

Longshore was 20 of 24 for 266 yards, and Lynch had 126 total yards on a chilly night beneath the temporary light stanchions at Memorial Stadium, where the Golden Bears haven’t lost in six games this season.

With scouts from the Rose Bowl in attendance, the Bears struggled on defense but showed off the explosive offense they hope will lead them to their first postseason trip to Pasadena since 1959.

Cal, which hasn’t been 6-0 in conference play since 1950, has a one-game lead on USC. They’ll meet at the Coliseum on Nov. 18, after Cal travels to face Arizona next week and the Trojans play Oregon.