Shaw Is Receiving a Lot of Respect

If you’re California Coach Tom Holmoe, you think hard about ways to get the ball into Bobby Shaw’s hands Saturday against UCLA in the Rose Bowl.

Actually, Holmoe does that most of the time anyway, because Shaw has four 100-yard receiving games this season, and he already holds Golden Bear career records for receiving yards (2,437) and 100-yard games (eight).

He has played better against the Bruins than against any other opponent over the last two years. In 1995, Shaw made eight receptions for 100 yards, and last season the numbers were 12 for 168 and a touchdown. It breaks down to an average of 10 catches for 134 yards.

“He’s as good as any we’ve played against this season,” Bruin Coach Bob Toledo said. “The kids at Washington State were good, the kids at Tennessee were good. There’s some as good . . . but none better. He’s going to be the best in the history of the school at Cal.”

Shaw’s forte is not only catching the ball, but running after the catch, which puts extra pressure on a defense. He leads the Pacific 10 in receiving at 133.2 yards a game and receptions at 10 a game.

“Bobby’s been very consistent in every game,” Holmoe said. ‘You can always count on him to make plays.”

Particularly against UCLA.

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Cal quarterback Justin Vedder has taken every offensive snap for the Bears this season. . . . Jason Bell again will start at right cornerback for UCLA, ahead of Marques Anderson, but both will play, and sometimes at the same time because Javelin Guidry continues to nurse a knee injury. . . . Pete Holland again will start at nose guard, though usual starter Damon Smith is ready to play after sitting out a week because of a foot infection. . . . Jim McElroy will return punts for UCLA, backed up by Eric Scott. Damian Allen and Ryan Roques will return kickoffs.

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NEXT FOR UCLA

WHO: California

WHERE: Rose Bowl

WHEN: Saturday, 12:30 p.m.

TV: None

RADIO: AM 1150