UCLA Helmet Stickers and Play of the Game

Defensive Player of the Game: Mike Mohammed

It was a standout game for many Cal defenders. While it was difficult to choose, I thought it appropriate to give this week's helmet sticker to a player who's been solid all season long.

Coming into the season, a number of fans were perplexed as to why Mohammed, who had done fairly well in a backup role the previous season wasn't chosen as the fourth linebacker in the new 3-4 scheme, with the spot instead going to Eddie Young.

At the time, Defensive Coordinator Bob Gregory explained that Mohammed would be more beneficial as a utility linebacker, because of his ability to play all four linebacker spots on the field. The results thus far have been outstanding with Mohammed currently second on the team in tackles. In fact, in his utility role, Mohammed has actually seen more reps this season than any other linebacker.

Saturday was a bit of a breakout game for Mohammed, who has been solid thus far this season. Mohammed posted 9 tackles including a sack and another tackle for a loss. His also ran his first career interception in for a touchdown to seal the game for the Bears in the fourth quarter. Also, a play that might go unnoticed to some in the midst of a day shrouded number of quirky plays, took place in the closing minutes of the first half, when the Bruins faced a 3rd and 1 inside the Cal's 5 yard line. Tt was Mike Mohammed who chased down Khalil Bell for a loss as Bell raced towards the first down marker to hold the Bruins to a field goal on that drive.

[Update: Mohammed was just named Defensive Pac-10 Player of the Week]

Congrats Mike, and keep it up.

Honorable Mentions:
Syd'Quan Thompson: 10 tackles, 2 pass breakups
Tyson Alualu: 6 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 tipped balls from line of scrimmage
Marcus Ezeff: 2 INTs (1 returned for a TD)


Offensive Player of the Game: Jahvid Best
Jahvid Best was again one of the few bright spots for an offensive unit that by and large, struggled for the first three quarters of the game. Best was productive on the ground, consistently gaining positive yardage on most his runs, despite being hampered by a nagging sprained ankle. Best rushed 17 times for 115 yards, including a spectacular 34 yard touchdown score. Again, watch it in slow motion and be amazed.

Honorable Mentions
Kevin Riley: 11-22 for 153 yards, 2 TDs
Shane Vereen: 14 rushes, 99 yards, 1 TD
Nyan Boateng: 2 catches, 67 yards, 1 TD

Play of the Game: 53 yard Flea Flicker TD pass
It was an interesting day in the sense that while the offense was bogged down for most of the game, there were still a handful of highlight reel plays that would deceive a highlights only viewer to believe that Cal was an offensive juggernaut.

Jeremy Ross' E-Honda-like double stiff arm kick return drew some "oohs" from the crowd, as did his leap over a UCLA defender on a reverse. It didn't matter that the run was called back on Riley's illegal block in the back, the crowd was still impressed.

Marcus Ezeff and Mike Mohammed's interception returns were also fun to watch.

But the honor this week goes to the 53-yard flea flicker from Riley to Boateng that re-energized the team, the crowd, and sparked the Cal team to roll onto 24 straight points in the fourth quarter. But it was also special for other reasons.

It was almost as if the play were like a super move in Street Fighter that took the entire battle to charge up. The play would not have worked had Cal not consistently run the ball throughout the game to bait the safeties to move up and bite on the fake toss.


Also impressive, was Kevin Riley's ability to sidestep a rushing Brian Price who beat Noris Malele at the line, before launching the ball deep. I'm not so sure that play would have been made with Longshore in the pocket.

Finally, the play was sweet vindication for a Cal team who had been burned deep by the same play last year against the Bruins down in the Rose Bowl. Karma's a biznatch eh?