Oct. 24, 1997
Matt Beck Sits Out UCLA Game
Cal's top tackler linebacker Matt Beck will sit out his second consecutive game
this Saturday when the Bears travel to UCLA on Saturday. Thus Cal will likely
start Albert Dorsey and Justin Flagg at the inside linebacker spots. Beck has a
injury to a nerve in his shoulder that impacts on the strength of his shoulder.
He is expected to be back in action next week against Oregon State.
In other news, nosetackle Jerry DeLoach is questionable for the UCLA game and
it's likely that freshman Rashawn Davis will start in his place. That would
give Cal a pair of freshman starters on the defensive line (along with
defensive end Andre Carter).
While Cal is major underdogs in the game against UCLA, head coach Tom Holmoe
believes his team is capable of an upset. "If we stop shooting ourselves in the
foot and making crucial mistakes, I think we have a good chance to win this
football game," he said. "However, it's also important to realize that some of
our mistakes and some of our penalties come when individuals are over-matched
physically. That's sometimes part of our problem and that's much more difficult
to overcome." Cal returns to action next Saturday when the Bears begin the
first of a two-game homestand with Oregon State visiting Memorial Stadium Nov.
1, followed by Arizona State on Nov. 8.
