Cal Football Video: Mike Pawlawski on How the O-line Sets the Tone
Mike Pawlawski played quarterback -- at a high level -- for Cal, so he knows better than most how important a sturdy, experienced offensive line is.
The current Golden Bears have faced season-long injury problems on the O-line and finished their game at Oregon two weeks ago with just one lineman who was projected as a starter when the season began.
Only right tackle Jake Curhan has been upright and able to play in all six games so far, and the the 6-foot-6, 335-pound junior will start again today against Oregon State.
But what happens elsewhere is less certain. Both center Michael Saffell and left guard Valentino Daltoso left the Oregon game with injuries, leaving the Bears with a young, untested group. The result: a 17-7 loss to the Ducks.
We don't know yet whether Saffell or Daltoso will start against the Beavers. My guess: Daltoso gives it a try, Saffell maybe not. We'll see.
Pawlawski said the line creates a tone and generates the toughness an offense needs, and when there is disruption in chemistry making all that happen becomes much more difficult.
Oregon State is among the Pac-12 Conference's worst defenses, so Cal hopes to generate a running game today.
Meanwhile, Devon Modster is ready to start his second straight game after coming off the bench against Arizona State when starter Chase Garbers was injured. Garbers remains on the sidelines, and Pawlawski says Modster can no longer look at himself as the backup quarterback.
He's now the starter and the Bears need him to perform like one.
Stay tuned. Cal and Oregon State kick off at 11:30 a.m.
