Arizona Routed by Cal

Adimchinobe Echemandu rushed for a career-high 201 yards and three touchdowns, and J.J. Arrington ran for two more scores in Cal’s 42-14 victory over Arizona on Saturday.

Early in the fourth quarter, Echemandu thought he was done for the day after Arrington’s second touchdown gave Cal a 28-point lead. He wasn’t even aware of his lofty yardage totals -- but Coach Jeff Tedford and his assistants knew Echemandu had a chance to reach a magical number.

When Arizona threw an interception, Echemandu’s offensive line informed him of the goal: 200 yards. Echemandu made six more carries until he got over the mark.

“I guess that means you’re an above-average back,” Echemandu said. “I didn’t even know how many yards I had. For them to keep track and to try to get me that shows you what kind of man [Tedford] is. It will feel really good when I look back on it.”

Cal, 4-5 overall and 2-2 in the Pacific 10 Conference, ended a two-game losing streak with an impressive ground game that rolled up 327 yards -- the Bears’ biggest total since 1992.

In Tedford’s two seasons, Cal has been a passing team with an intermittently effective ground game. Not this time: After signaling their intention with six runs on their opening drive, the Bears rushed 59 times.

“To run the ball as much as we did today doesn’t happen very often,” Tedford said. “We were just having success with it.... Getting 200 yards means nothing to me. It means a lot to [Echemandu], though. It’s something he can remember. If you’re close to 200, why not get it?”

Freshman Kris Heavner passed for 180 yards and a score in his fourth straight start for the Wildcats (1-7, 0-4), who still haven’t won in three games since coach John Mackovic was fired and replaced by defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz.