Improved Defense Is the Key for Cal

So far, one of the differences between last season’s California team and this one has been defense.

“I tell everybody that we’ve got a better defensive coordinator,” said Cal Coach Tom Holmoe--the Bears’ defensive coordinator last season.

The new coordinator is Lyle Setencich, who used to be at Arizona State. Players credit him with simplifying the defense by reducing the number of coverages, and Holmoe admits he tried to do too much last season.

Cal finished last season ranked 105th of 111 Division I-A teams in total defense and gave up an average of 42 points a game over the final six games, turning a 5-0 start into a 6-6 season.

This season, Cal held Houston to a field goal and was hot-and-cold against Oklahoma in a 40-36 victory after blowing a 21-point lead. The Bears limited Oklahoma star De’Mond Parker, who had rushed for 239 yards the week before, to 81 yards.

Cal starts six sophomores, three juniors and two seniors on defense.

“We’re still young and inexperienced, but we’re playing hard,” Holmoe said. “We made a lot of mistakes in the last game and it could have cost us a game, but they rallied in the end.”

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LaVale Woods’ start at tailback today doesn’t mean USC isn’t happy with freshman Malaefou MacKenzie.

“Malaefou has run very hard,” Coach John Robinson said. “He has some learning to do, but he’s a good football player and will be a strong runner for us.”

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Cal defensive end John McLaughlin, a transfer from Notre Dame who played at Newhall Hart High, is expected to start against the Trojans.