Soundbites: Cal Bears Expect Better Effort vs. USC

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

BERKELEY, Calif. -- It seemed like the reporters gathered around a few of Cal's football players Wednesday want Cal to beat USC more than the Cal players themselves want to trip up the Trojans.

That's not to say the Bears lack determination to topple the team that's won the last seven PAC 10 championships, but several expressed an attitude that reflected a sincere, we-want-to-win-but-it-won't-be-the-end-of-the-world-if-we-don't kind of attitude.

Running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Jahvid Best said if there's a different buzz around campus, he's too busy between classes and practice to notice. But he added that many guys on Cal's roster are from Southern California, so they'll be excited once kickoff nears on Saturday.

Fourth-year starter Syd'Quan Thompson, a first-team all PAC 10 cornerback, said the Bears appear to have gotten over Saturday's embarrassing loss at Oregon, as this week's practices are indicating a lively effort against the powerhouse Trojans.