Cal Football Video: Defensive Coordinator Compliments Oregon Line - 'A Bunch of Dancing Bears'

Tim DeRuyter speaks highly of Ducks' O-line and QB Justin Hernert

Two of Oregon offensive linemen was selected to the preseason first-team all-Pac-12 squad and a third was named to the preseason second team.

Cal defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter has a lot of respect for that line, which Cal wll face Saturday night.

"They're a big, physical group," DeRuyter said. "They're probably as athletic as anybody . . . These guys are a bunch of dancing Bears."

That line will be protecting quarterback Justin Herbert, who will be facing Cal for the fourth time.

Asked whether Herbert has shown anything different this season, DeRuyter said, "Well, I think last year or the year before he may have thrown an interception. I don't think he's thrown one this year, so that's different."

DeRuyter is correct. Herbert has thrown 14 touchdown passes and no picks.

"He's probably staying in the pocket a little more," said DeRuyter, "but he's got the athleticism to get first downs with his legs, which hurt us a year ago. He's just playing like a very veteran quarterback."

While the Ducks (3-1) have a quarterback with plenty of experience, the Bears will start a quarterback (Devon Modster) who has made one collegiate start, and that was two years ago in a bowl game while at UCLA.

Modster had a tough time against Arizona State after replacing Chase Garbers. He was just 5-for-14 for 23 yards and an interception. The Bears are hoping he plays more like he did when he faced Cal as a UCLA quarterback two years ago. He replaced injured Josh Rosen and completed 14 of 18 passes for 191 yards and no interceptions in the Bruins' 30-27 win.