Yellow fever hits Ducks
BERKELEY, Calif. – DeSean Jackson reversed his field, turned the corner and sprinted down a golden corridor stretching to the end zone.
California broke out some garish yellow jerseys for a pivotal game with Oregon, yet the Golden Bears’ knack for big plays didn’t change a bit.
As for the fashion-conscious Ducks? They simply didn’t match.
Jackson caught one of Nate Longshore’s three touchdown passes and returned a punt 65 yards for his most electric score yet, leading No. 16 Cal to a 45-24 victory over 11th-ranked Oregon on Saturday night.
The Bears (5-1, 3-0 Pac-10) took control almost from the moment they ran out of the Memorial Stadium tunnel wearing the surprising shirts that looked just like something the inventive Ducks (4-1, 2-1) would wear.
But after Jackson’s outstanding punt return put Cal ahead 28-3 in the second quarter, the Bears were perfectly dressed for their fifth straight blowout win.
“I was following yellow jerseys,” said Jackson, who reversed field and slid through several potential tacklers on his third career punt return for a score. “I couldn’t even see one Oregon jersey all the way in.”
These West Coast powers have similarities ranging from their intertwined coaching staffs to their high-octane offenses, but Cal coach Jeff Tedford easily landed his second victory over former mentor Mike Bellotti in front of a raucous sellout crowd – a rarity at Memorial Stadium, where even the laid-back fans realize something special could be brewing.
Cal’s players chose the jerseys to fire up themselves and the crowd. Even Tedford claimed he loved them – and said they might return soon.
“I loved it that we came out with something new that looks good,” tailback Justin Forsett said. “We thought we could shock the fans a little bit, especially against the team that has every uniform in the world.”
Forsett ran for 163 yards and a touchdown in place of injured Marshawn Lynch for the Bears. Robert Jordan and tight end Craig Stevens also caught TD throws from Longshore, who passed for 189 yards.