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By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) - Adimchinobe Echemandu rushed for a career-high 201
yards and three touchdowns, and J.J. Arrington ran for two more scores in
California's 42-14 victory over Arizona on Saturday.
Cal (4-5, 2-2 Pac-10) snapped a two-game losing streak and avenged a 52-41
loss to the Wildcats at Memorial Stadium last season with an impressive ground
game led by Echemandu. The senior tailback had his biggest performance in an
outstanding season after missing every game of the last two campaigns with
academic problems and injuries.
Echemandu, the Pac-10's second-leading rusher entering the weekend, had 137
yards and two scores before halftime. Cal coach Jeff Tedford is known for his
inventive passing schemes, but the Bears pounded out 327 yards rushing - their
biggest total since 1992.
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. Arizona has lost seven straight since a season-opening win over
UTEP.
Michael Bell rushed for most of his career-high 182 yards, including a
49-yard touchdown run, after the Wildcats fell irretrievably behind. Arizona
has gained 921 total yards in its last two games, but scored just 35 total
points in losses to UCLA and the Bears.
Cal overcame a slow start with three scoring drives in 11 minutes during the
second quarter. All ended in TD runs - the first on a goal-line hurdle by
Arrington, who finished with 92 yards.
Echemandu added two more scores, the second on a 49-yard run through the
heart of the defense. Echemandu gained all 72 yards on the three-play scoring
drive, which featured an aggressive block by quarterback Aaron Rodgers as he
raced downfield alongside his running back.
Echemandu scored again on a 6-yard run late in the third quarter, and
Arrington added a 45-yard TD run down the Arizona sideline in the opening
minute of the fourth.
Rodgers passed for 93 yards, and backup Reggie Robertson scored the Bears'
final touchdown on a 1-yard dive with 8:04 left.
Arizona had several scoring chances in the first half, but Heavner threw an
interception at the Cal 7, kicker Bobby Gill missed two field goals and Biren
Ealy dropped an easy touchdown pass.
Steve Fleming caught a 3-yard TD pass from Heavner early in the third.
