Beavers' offense may be more to Bears' taste than most

Updated 10:06 pm, Friday, October 31, 2014

Cal running back Daniel Lasco didn't get any sleep the last time Cal played at Oregon State.

It was the last game of the 2012 season and former coach Jeff Tedford was on his way out. But that's not what kept Lasco and the Bears up the night before their 41-13 loss to the Beavers.

That came by way of a fire alarm in the overnight hours in the team hotel, accompanied by smoke. Whether the smoke came from an actual fire or a prankster is an unanswered question.

'No one got any sleep,' Lasco said. 'That was very suspicious.'

Cal (4-4, 2-4 Pac-12) returns to play at Oregon State (4-3, 1-3) for the first time since the 2012 meeting. The Bears' program has undergone a series of changes since that day, primarily with the 2013 hiring of head coach Sonny Dykes, who joked that the Bears may bring security this time around.

Now the Bears' beleaguered defense takes on an Oregon State team that may offer a little relief. The Beavers average the least yards per game in the Pac-12 and don't run an offense that will try to out-pace Cal.

'From a matchup standpoint it's probably a little better for us than some of the teams we've been playing,' Dykes said.

In terms of Cal's defensive depth - or lack thereof - playing a pro-style offense like Oregon State's can help the Bears. The Cal defense failed to stop teams that try to run 100 plays per game, like Arizona, Washington State and Oregon. The defense had spells of success against slower offenses, like Northwestern's and Washington's.

In fact, defensive coordinator Art Kaufman said the preparation for Oregon State is similar to game-planning for Northwestern.

Regardless, the Bears will have to do a better job against Beavers quarterback Sean Mannion than they did last year, when he completed 35-of-45 passes for 481 yards and four touchdowns. Mannion will likely become the Pac-12's all-time leader in career passing yards against the Bears. He trails USC's Matt Barkley by 194 yards.

The four-year starter for Oregon State has struggled this season after posting impressive numbers in 2013. After throwing 37 touchdown passes last year, Mannion has just seven in 2014, with five interceptions.

Kaufman said the one thing his defense must do is make Mannion uncomfortable in the pocket.

'When he's got time in that pocket, he's a great pocket passer,' Kaufman said. 'There will be times when we cover and there will be times when we come after him, but we can't give him all day, all the time.'

Lawler, Scarlett out: On Thursday, Dykes announced that receiver Kenny Lawler will not play against Oregon State. Lawler, one of Cal's top receivers, hurt his ankle against Oregon.

Dykes also announced that previously injured receiver Trevor Davis (neck), safety Avery Sebastian (quad) and defensive end Brennan Scarlett (knee) will be out. Dykes said he doesn't know if Scarlett will be able to play again this season.

Mike Vernon is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: mvernon@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @M_Vernon

Cal (4-4, 2-4 Pac-12)

at Oregon State (4-3, 1-3)

Where: Reser Stadium. When: 7:30 p.m. TV/Radio: P12BA/810

Story lines: After starting the year 4-1, Cal has lost three straight to fall to .500. With four games left, Cal must take advantage of every opportunity to qualify for a bowl game. Oregon State is in a similar situation, having lost back-to-back games after its 4-1 start.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Injuries: Oregon State - None reported. Cal - S Avery Sebastian (quad), DE Brennan Scarlett (knee) and WRs Kenny Lawler (ankle) and Trevor Davis (neck) are out.

The Cal offensive line had its best performance of the year against Oregon, as the Bears rushed for 193 yards and QB Jared Goff consistently had time to throw. As a result, Cal's offense was elevated to a different level and piled up 41 points.

Goff's favorite red zone target Kenny Lawler is out with an ankle injury. His top two other options, Chris Harper and Bryce Treggs, were banged up during the Oregon game but are expected to play. The strength of Cal's offense has been its depth at receiver. That could become an issue if any receivers have to leave the game.

Oregon State QB Sean Mannion likely will become the Pac-12's all-time leader in career passing yards against the Bears. He trails USC's Matt Barkley by 194 yards.

Goff is just five TD passes shy of the single-season record for Cal. He ranks third on the list with 26 this season. Pat Barnes holds the record with 31.- Mike Vernon

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