Big Game Helmet Stickers

Offensive Player of the Game: Jahvid Best

Recently named the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Week, Best put on a Big Game performance for the ages. Best rushed 19 times, gaining 205 yards for a staggering 10.6 yards per carry, netting 2 rushing touchdowns on the day. He also led the team in number of receptions, including 3 passes for 35 yards and another score.

Still not impressed? Think of it this way: Best accounted for nearly 61% of the Cal’s total offense (236 all purpose yards). Absolutely absurd.

And he’s a sophomore.


Honorable Mentions:
Shane Vereen: 12 rushes for 56 yards, 1 TD reception for 59 yards
Cal Offensive Line: 1 sack and paved way for 287 yards rushing


Defensive Player of the Game: Zack Follett
Follett was at his disruptive best on Saturday. A nominee for the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week, Follett had 10 total tackles (5 solo) on the day, including 3.5 tackles for losses. 2.5 of those were sacks which were absolute plays of beauty. Go ahead and watch the game tape, and you’ll be amazed at the speed and strength Follett showed in some of his swim and spin moves. Good stuff.

Before the season began, I asked Follett during Fan Appreciation Day whether he’d be able to get to a double digit number for sacks.

His response? “Oh yeah, definitely. Definitely.”

Follett is on his way, recording 7.5 sacks on the year (T-3rd in the conference) with two games left to play. The Pain Train also leads in the conference with tackles for loss with 17, and has pretty much wrapped up All Pac-10 honors. The only solace in losing Follett this year is knowing we’re likely to see him bring the business on Sundays.

Honorable Mentions:
Anthony Felder: 13 tackles (5 solo)
Tyson Alualu: 8 tackles (2 solo), 0.5 TFL, 1 forced fumble
Rulon Davis: 3 tackles, including 1.5 sacks

Play of the Game: Hook and Ladder (Lateral)
The gadget plays continue! Fans have yearned for some of the gadget plays that marked Tedford’s playbook his first few years at Cal. Many of those disappeared with the offense remaining steady with a no-nonsense approach to executing a standard pro-style offense.

But the trick plays have peaked their devilish heads at various points this season, and on Saturday, they feasted on an overly-pursuing and confused Stanford defense. None were more shocking or entertaining than the hook and lateral play.

After Best had ripped off a huge run in the 3rd quarter, Kevin Riley threw a quick swing pass to WR Verran Tucker who then proceeded to pitch the ball to a motioning Jahvid Best while being tackled while still in the air. Best then rushed down the sideline for an easy score with his bodyguard Mitchell Schwartz looking on in case someone decided they want to get crushed.

The rout was on.

A really fun play, and I can’t recall the last time Cal has ever used this, if ever. I wouldn’t mind seeing it again, but not too often, because you know…it’d lose its meaning and all.

Check out the highlight here (0:24 mark)