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California has virtual home game in Emerald Bowl

Dec 27, 2008 - 11:29 AM Miami (7-5) vs. California (7-5), December 27, 8:00 pm EST

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Emerald Bowl executive director Gary Cavalli has wanted a local team to play in the game since its inception in 2002 - and he finally got his wish.

California will travel a mere 13 miles from its campus in Berkeley to face Miami in Saturday night's Emerald Bowl.

The Golden Bears (8-4) accepted the bid after drubbing Washington, 48-7, in their regular-season finale.

They should have a significant home-field advantage after winning all seven of their home games this season.

"I wouldn't say it's the happiest day of my life, but it's probably in the top 10," Cavalli said. "From a professional standpoint, this is unquestionably one of the happiest days of my life. It's hard to put into words because we've wanted Cal since the game was founded."

While the game is a short commute for the Golden Bears, Miami ventured 3,000 miles across the country for its first appearance in California since beating Nebraska, 37-14, in the 2002 Rose Bowl to win the national championship.

Miami (7-5) will be making its ninth bowl appearance in 10 years after an eight-year postseason streak ended last season when the Hurricanes finished 5-7 in Randy Shannon's first year as coach.

While Shannon is trying to restore Miami to its past glory, the Hurricanes struggled down the stretch, losing their final two games to Georgia Tech and North Carolina State.

In the two losses, the Hurricanes allowed nearly 700 yards on the ground, including 472 against Georgia Tech.

That does not bode well for Miami, which now has to face California running Jahvid Best, who ran for a school-record 311 yards and four touchdowns against Washington. Best passed Oregon State freshman Jacquizz Rodgers for the Pac-10 Conference rushing lead.

Miami used a two-quarterback platoon with a pair of freshmen - Robert Marve and Jacory Harris - during the regular season. However, Marve did not make the trip west after being declared academically ineligible.

For California, oft-criticized fifth-year senior Nate Longshore will be making his final appearance.

Longshore threw his 50th career touchdown pass against Washington, becoming only the fourth Cal quarterback to reach that mark.