Team Report: Inside Slant
The Bears are taking their practice time seriously, with a great deal of attention and focus on BYU’s spread offense.
California was torn apart a year ago in the Holiday Bowl, losing 45-31 when Texas Tech’s spread attack dismantled the Bears defense, passing for 520 yards, 30 first downs and completing 39-of-60 passes.
“We will learn from that experience,” California coach Jeff Tedford said.
The Bears had better as they prepare to take on BYU in the Dec. 22 Las Vegas Bowl.
Unlike a year ago, California has seen forms of the spread offense much more. There is a familiarity with it after playing New Mexico State, Illinois and Oregon. All three run a form of a spread attack.
California defeated New Mexico State and Illinois and lost 27-20 to the Ducks.
“We’re proven at it,” California defensive coordinator Bob Gregory told the San Francisco Chronicle. “There are things we can do better, hopefully we will.”
One of the biggest obstacles Cal is finding with BYU’s form of the offense is how Cougar quarterback John Beck takes snaps five yards back in a shotgun and then drops back another three steps.
An eight-step head start makes it tougher for any defense to put pressure on the quarterback.
