Boxscore

BERKELEY, Calif. ? The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs lost their first road test of the season by a final score of 42-12 to No. 8 California. The Bulldogs offense could not get moving and their defense failed to stop Cal?s rushing attack.

Tech (1-2) struggled to stop the run of the Golden Bears all afternoon as Cal (3-0) rushed for 214 yards as a team, and running back Justin Forsett accounted for 152 of those yards and scored two times. Tech Head Coach Derek Dooley said his team simply could not stop Cal from moving the ball on the ground.

The Bulldogs trailed for the first time at halftime this season in Saturday?s game entering the locker room down 28-6. Cal was able to score 14 points off turnovers in the first half to build its lead. Quarterback Zac Champion had both turnovers, throwing his first interception of the season and fumbling as well.

Champion completed 18-of-32 passes for 149 yards two touchdowns and two interceptions. Cal quarterback Nate Longshore struggled to find a rhythm early in the contest but did manage to hit receivers for big plays. Longshore was 22-of-33 for yards 230 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw his first interception of the season.

Defensively the Bulldogs were not able to slow down Cal?s entire offense, but they did find a way to keep Heisman Trophy candidate DeSean Jackson from having his third stellar game of the season. Jackson was held to 28 yards receiving on five catches. Jackson is also considered one of the nation?s top punt returners. He had three returns for negative-six yards.

Freshman receiver Joe Anderson scored his first career touchdown on a two-yard reception from Champion in the second quarter. Danny Horwedel missed the point after and Tech trailed 14-6.

Patrick Jackson scored on his first career touchdown reception in the third quarter to cut the Cal lead to 28-12. Tech failed a two-point conversion after the score. Dooley said his team needs to find a way to produce more offense.

Jackson led Tech?s offense with 68 yards rushing on 18 carries. Daniel Porter had six carries for 34 yards. Anderson led the Bulldogs in receiving with 31 yards on five catches.

The game started off with a bang for Cal as Lavelle Hawkins returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. It was the first Cal kick return for a score since LaShaun Ward did it against Arizona in 2002. It was the first opening kickoff return for a touchdown since Cal did it against Navy in the 1996 Aloha Bowl.

The Bulldogs have an extra week to prepare for Western Athletic Conference rival Fresno State with a bye this week. Tech will be in action next on September 29 at Fresno State.