The most prolific receiver in Cal football history, Keenan Allen, may have played his last game for the Golden Bears.
The Bears will be without their star junior when they host Washington in the first-ever Friday night game at Memorial Stadium, his injured left knee adding to a litany of bad news this season.
Coach Jeff Tedford, whose Bears (3-6, 2-4 Pac-12) must win their final three games to become bowl eligible, said Allen injured his posterior cruciate ligament during an onside kick try late in the 49-27 loss at Utah last Saturday. He will not require surgery, Tedford said, and will be sidelined 2-3 weeks.
“He’ll recover just fine. It’s nothing major,” Tedford said after practice Thursday. “If you see him walking, he looks fine. But walking and running (pass) routes are two different things.”
Considering what’s at stake for Allen — regarded as a near-certain first-round NFL draft pick if he is healthy — it’s hard to imagine him risking his future with a premature return to action.
Click here to read the rest of my Cal-Washington game preview.
CAL VS. WASHINGTON
RECORDS: Cal 3-6, 2-4 in Pac-12; Washington 4-4, 2-3
KICKOFF: 6 p.m., Memorial Stadium, Berkeley
TV: ESPN2
RADIO: 810-AM
SERIES HISTORY: Washington leads 49-38-4. Washington won 31-23 in 2011 and has won three in a row and four of the past five meetings. Prior to that, Cal won five in a row.
STORYLINES: Cal must win its final three games in order to secure longshot bowl eligibility. … Junior wide receiver, who owns Cal’s career receptions record with 205 catches, injured his left knee in the loss to Utah and is out Friday, likely for the season. … This is the first Friday night game in the history of Memorial Stadium. … Washington’s appearance marks the return of three former Cal assistant coaches, including once-popular defensive line coach and top recruiter Tosh Lupoi, a Cal grad, whose sudden departure last January stirred strong fan reaction. … Cal is looking to avoid another slow start after managing just three field goals in the first half of one-sided losses to Stanford and Utah.
INJURY UPDATE: Cal — OLB Brennan Scarlett (broken hand), OLB Chris McCain (ankle) and WR Bryce Treggs (ankle) are probable; DL Viliami Moala (ankle), ILB Jalen Jefferson (concussion) and CB Marc Anthony (concussion) are questionable; WR Keenan Allen (knee) is out. Washington — RB Jesse Callier (knee), DE Hau’oli Jamora (knee), RB Deontae Cooper (knee), WR James Johnson (wrist), OL Erik Kohler (knee), OL Colin Tanigawa (knee) and DL Lawrence Lagafuaina (leg) are out.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Cal front seven vs. Washington quarterback Keith Price. The Bears are hobbled up front and have been forced to utilize less-experienced players along the defensive line and at linebacker. They must deal with Price, who has struggled this season behind an injured-riddle offensive line, but has the ability to throw, run or throw while on the run.
STATS THAT MATTER: QB Zach Maynard has moved to No. 10 all-time on Cal’s total offense list with 5,189 yards. Cal kicker Vincenzo D’Amato has made his past nine field goal attempts. … Washington’s defense ranks 11th in the Pac-12 against the run, allowing 185.1 yards per game. … Washington sophomore Austin Seferian-Jenkins leads all FBS tight ends with 40 receptions.