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California hopes for easier time vs. Louisiana Tech

Sep 15, 2007 - 11:49 AM Louisiana Tech (1-1) at No. 8 California (2-0) 6:30 pm EDT

BERKELEY, California (Ticker) -- California coach Jeff Tedford should be able to breathe easier this week.

Tedford's eighth-ranked Golden Bears take on Louisiana Tech on Saturday, one week after narrowly avoiding an upset.

Last weekend, the Bears looked like they were en route to a comfortable victory at Colorado State, but they gave up two fourth-quarter touchdowns before hanging on for a 34-28 victory.

Star receiver and return man DeSean Jackson produced 141 all-purpose yards - including a 73-yard touchdown on a reverse - for Cal, which was coming off a 45-31 home win over Tennessee.

A Heisman Trophy candidate, Jackson had a 77-yard punt-return TD and 143 all-purpose yards against the Volunteers.

Louisiana Tech nearly upset Western Athletic Conference rival Hawaii at home last week before falling in overtime, 45-44.

Zac Champion threw a two-yard touchdown to Dustin Mitchell in the extra session but failed on his two-point conversion pass, ending the contest.

Patrick Jackson had two of four rushing touchdowns for the Bulldogs, who surrendered 548 passing yards to Warriors star quarterback Colt Brennan.

In the only previous meeting between the teams, Louisiana Tech beat Cal, 41-34, in 1997.