Commentary

Cal's Jackson steps up in big game

Updated: October 15, 2007, 11:13 AM ET

By Todd McShay | Scouts Inc.

The opportunity is there every week. Some players seize it. Others let it slide away. Here's a look at the players (and coaches) who shined or slipped in Week 5:

Stock Up
1. Cal WR/RS DeSean Jackson
Apparently Jackson's thumb is healed. The nation's most electrifying playmaker rose to the occasion on Saturday, notching 161 yards and two touchdowns on 11 receptions in Cal's thrilling 31-24 victory at Oregon. The performance comes after a quiet two-week stretch in which Jackson was limited -- partially due to a sprained thumb -- to only 67 receiving yards in wins over Louisiana Tech and Arizona. The fallout of Saturday's win in Eugene is enormous both personally and from a team standpoint. Jackson has now re-emerged as one of the Heisman front-runners and Cal has climbed all the way up to No. 3 in this week's topsy-turvy AP poll.

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