Cal-UA series to add another thriller

Arizona and California are meeting on the gridiron tomorrow night.

Since 1978, when Arizona began play in the Pacific 10 Conference, only three games between the two schools have been decided by more than seven points. The Golden Bears lead the series by a slim 9-7-2 margin.

The last 10 meetings have been decided by an average of three-and-a-half points per contest, which prompts one to wonder why this is not considered one of the conference's biggest rivalries.

"It has been an incredible series," Arizona head coach Dick Tomey said. "They were ahead of us 17-0 here, and we came back. We were ahead of them 20-0 up there, and they came back. It seems no matter what has happened in the game, it has been a close game."

The most memorable game in the series and the longest game in Division I-A history is last year's record-setting 56-55 Cal victory in quadruple-overtime. It could have been longer had Arizona not faked the extra point attempt in the fourth overtime, ending the game.

That game, in part, led the NCAA to establishing a rule forcing teams to go for the two-point conversion after the second overtime.

The teams are very similar in style to years past and there is no reason to believe the game will not be equally as exciting. The game features two of the Pac-10's best wide receivers, one an established star, the other on the rise.

Cal's senior Bobby Shaw is fifth in the nation with 113.8 receiving yards per game. Shaw caught seven balls for 132 yards and one touchdown in last year's epic.

Arizona sophomore Dennis Northcutt is fast becoming the most exciting weapon in the Wildcats' newfound offensive arsenal. Northcutt is in the top 10 in the conference in receptions and yards receiving per game and has turned in a number of remarkable plays, including last week's 47-yard dash for a score in Arizona's win over Oregon State.

Also on display will be a pair of talented quarterbacks. Arizona redshirt freshman Ortege Jenkins has thrown 16 touchdowns against just two interceptions since taking over the starting job after sophomore Keith Smith left the UCLA game with a shoulder injury.

Cal's junior Justin Vedder is third in yards per game and seventh in passing efficiency, right behind Jenkins. Vedder has tossed 12 interceptions, a statistic Tomey says is misleading.

"I think they have gotten behind some, and when you get behind, it is hard for a quarterback to have good numbers," Tomey said. "People are waiting for you to throw it."

The game will also be the last in Arizona stadium for this year's senior class, including Chester Burnett, Joe Salave'a, Rodney Williams, Ryan Turley, Jimmy Sprotte,Tim Ferlan, Rusty James and Jose Portilla.

"They are an incredible group," Tomey said. "It is very emotional (for them to be playing their last home game), and I don't think they know it yet. I don't think they quite understand how emotional it is until it is over."

Arizona vs. California

(4-5, 2-4) (3-6, 1-5)

When: Tomorrow night at 8.

Where: Arizona Stadium

TV/Radio: The game will be televised by Fox Sports and broadcast on KNST (AM790).

What: A rematch of the longest collegiate game ever - last season's 56-55 quadruple-overtime Cal victory ... UA seniors play last game in Tucson.