GLENDALE - The final game of the season would feature a surprise participant and a repeat contender. Nick Saban's Crimson Tide has been atop the ranking all season, so few people expected Alabama to miss out on this game. California would not be in the BCS title picture until the very end of the season and would come into this game as a serious underdog. Cal lead the nation in PPG (43.8), the 2nd ranked rushing offense, and a rare triple crown on defense (Total, Rushing, Passing), so perhaps pundits were ignoring their potential.
"Alabama is a great team" said Coach London prior to the game "and they are here to win. They won it last year, so we aren't taking them lightly. This is going to be a huge test for our guys, time to put up or shut up."
Alabama was set on sending Cal back to Berkeley disappointed, and they came out strong. QB Greg McElroy looked good, but the star of their offense was Heisman winning HB Mark Ingram, finishing with 104 yards. Cal's defense looked confused and kept giving up yards to Ingram. Alabama ran quite a bit out of three receiver sets and caught Cal off guard. Luckily for Cal a tough stop highlighted by a sack forced the Tide to punt.
Chris Martin plants Greg McElroyCal came out running, but Alabama was ready for the Shane Vereen show and managed to contain the ground game. Cal was forced to grind out yards and complete short passes, even though the big gains were held back Cal managed a Deboskie-Johnson rushing TD to take a 7-3 lead. After forcing a punt Kevin Riley found Michael Calvin in the endzone to shock Alabama with a 14-3 going into the half.
The Tide managed to stay on track in the second half and came out ready to grab the lead.
Unfortunately for Alabama, Cal's secondary had other ideas. McElroy tried to force a pass into the flats and found FS Sean Cattouse who promptly took a TAINT 30 yards for a 21-3 lead. McElroy didn't let the TAINT rattle him and lead the Tide on an unstoppable 78 yard drive to Cal's 2. On 3rd and 2 HB Trent Richardson took a handoff and plowed into a blitz which knocked the ball from his hands, Cal's MLB DJ Holt scooped up the ball and took it 98 yards for a game ending TD.
Cal's offense did not impress, but their defense managed to win this game. Alabama enjoyed a 258 - 180 advantage in total offense, but turned the ball over twice. Cal did get to celebrate one other milestone during this game as Shane Vereen passed Barry Sanders' record for single season rushing yards with 2770.
GAME LEADERS
Passing : G.McElroy (Alabama) - 148YDS INT
Rushing : S.Vereen (Cal) - 162YDS
Receiving : D.Hanks (Alabama) - 56YDS
Defense : S.Cattouse (Cal) - 7TKL TAINT
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