Oct. 18, 1997
California-Washington State Game Notes
The Bears played the game without leading tackler Matt Beck, who injured a
shoulder last week against Washington. He practiced throughout the week in
non-contact drills and hoped to play, but a decision was made before the game
that he would not be able to go and he did not suit up. He is expected to play
next week at UCLA.
Nartey's 52-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter was the first TD of
his career; it was also the longest pass catch of his career; he had a 44-yarder
in 1995. Freshman Reid Diehl caught his first collegiate pass in the third
quarter. Freshman wide receiver Phillip Pipersburg made his first collegiate
catch a memorable one as he hauled in a 30-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter
from Vedder.
While there weren't many stats to be proud about, Cal's Bobby Shaw broke the
Cal career receiving yardage record when he snared a 12-yard pass late in the
third quarter helping set up Cal's touchdown drive. Shaw now has four 100-yard
receiving game this year out of the first six games. He holds the Cal record
with ten 100-yard receiving games in his career. With 9 catches for 158 yards
vs. Washington State, Shaw now holds the Cal record with 2437 career receiving
yards and he now 153 catches, needing just 14 more catches to tie Brian Treggs
career record of 167.
Cal offensive coordinator Doug Cosbie was calling the plays from the field,
instead of the press box for the first time this season.
By hitting on a touchdown pass on its first drive, Cal scored first for the
only time thus far this season.
Ryan Leaf's 5 touchdown passses tied a Washington State single-game record,
tying three other former WSU quarterbacks in that achievement.
Cal offensive guard Drake Parker made his first appearance of the year on
the Cal offensive line, replacing John Romero midway through the third quarter
when Romero suffered a slight knee sprain. Parker has been nursing chronic back
problems.
Cal defensive end Mawuko Tugbenyoh scored his the first touchdown of his
collegiate career in the fourth quarter when he picked up a Jason Clayton fumble
at the and sprinted 60 yards for the score. It was the longest return for
touchdown of an opponent's turnover since Matt Beck returned an interception
31-yards for a score on Sept. 28, 1996 against Oregon State.
