In a game rife with disappointment, running back Loren Wade was one of ASU football's few bright spots, moving the ball effectively and solidifying himself as the team's top running back.
The redshirt freshman ran for 107 yards on 22 carries, his third straight game above the century mark on the ground. ASU's game plan, at least early on, was designed specifically for Wade.
"We followed our game plan as it was scripted as a team, but it was just little mistakes that happened and cost us," Wade said. "We have to give Cal credit. They came out and played hard. They wanted it more than us."
The Golden Bears (5-5, 3-2 Pac-10) have been susceptible to the run all season. In an early game against Oregon State, California gave up 227 yards to Steven Jackson, and just last week the team let Arizona's Mike Bell run for 182 yards.
After a California punt, Wade ran the ball seven consecutive times on ASU's first drive to the Golden Bears' 14-yard line. The drive ended when Andrew Walter threw an interception two plays later.
"That's great that I was able to help my team out with the big rushing game, but if we don't win, I can't feel good about it at all," Wade said.
Wade is the third running back to start in the backfield this year and currently leads the team in rushing yards (598) and rushing touchdowns (4).
"When you have a guy like Loren who you know is going to run hard, it makes you want to block for him and play hard every play," said senior wide receiver Skyler Fulton, who finished the game with five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown.
"You never know when he's going to break one because he's going to run through some tackles and run some people over," Fulton added. "It just gives us a lot more confidence and opens up the passing game obviously when he's running and some of the safeties are biting down and trying to stop him."
Wade's performance was more impressive because he was without senior fullback Mike Karney. One of the conference's best blockers, Karney missed the game because of an illness.
"We have to get back to practice and regroup," Wade said. "We have to bounce back from this loss."
Reach the reporter at jeffrey.hoodzow@asu.edu.
