Morrah Prepares for Wildcats, Asthma

When the Cal football team visits Tucson, Ariz., this weekend, Arizona tight end Rob Gronkowski is sure to demand a good amount of attention.

Considering his five touchdowns in 2008, it's tough to argue against his quality -- the sophomore also piled up 525 receiving yards and six touchdowns as a true freshman last year, and while his receiving totals have dipped a bit in 2008, he's managed to stay a reliable end zone target for quarterback Willie Tuitama.

Both Scout.com and ESPN.com's Ted Miller tabbed him at tight end in their respective Preseason All-Pac-10 predictions. Meanwhile, the Bears' Cameron Morrah went widely unnoticed, having served as graduated Craig Stevens' backup all of last season.

Yet, by the numbers, it's a draw between Gronkowski and Morrah so far this year. Morrah has one less touchdown (four) but has more yards (194 to 171) and catches (15 to 10).

"I kind of like flying under the radar," Morrah said. "So hopefully with all the attention on him, it'll just be a great game for me to come out and show people what I can do."

If Morrah can keep up his steady production -- a touchdown grab in all four games he's played -- it seems inevitable that he'll begin garnering consideration as a top tight end.

Until then, the junior has a couple pressing things to worry about. One, the Arizona heat. And two, his asthma.

During Cal's 35-27 loss to Maryland, Morrah was seen on the sidelines more than just panting for breath. Coupled with Byrd Stadium's natural field, the hot weather eventually wore on the tight end, who has a history of respiratory illnesses.

"I'm an asthmatic, and that was a grass field, so that kind of killed me," Morrah said. "Being that hot, I wasn't ready for that."

But he went on to assure that the Tucson heat will be a little different, citing the 7 p.m. start time.

"I played on grass in high school in away games -- my school had turf, so I didn't have to deal with it (at home) -- but games were always at night, so it wasn't an issue.

"This game shouldn't be an issue since we're playing at night. I'm gonna be ready for it this week, take my inhaler and everything, making sure I breathe well throughout the week, so I can breathe well once I get down there. Probably take some oxygen down there, just in case."

Hagan Explains Early-Season Success

Following a nightmare-ridden 2007, during which he was "embarrassed" on several occasions, cornerback Darian Hagan has been a trace of his old self in the new season.

The redshirt sophomore leads the team with 20 solo tackles (27 total), not to mention his five pass breakups and one interception. Consequently, the secondary is no longer deemed a liability of the Bears' defense.

When asked whether he's improved as a defender, he has given the usual response, citing hard work, better practices and an additional year of maturity.

But asked about first-year secondary coach Al Simmons and teammate Syd'Quan Thompson and their influences on his development, he was quick, yet sincere in crediting his mentors.

"Coach Simmons is one of the best coaches I've ever had in my career thus far," Hagan said. "He has so much knowledge of the game, puts everyone in the right position, teaches us the right techniques to be able to shut guys down, and we've been making that happen.

"I think he's the best thing that happened to me here."

Hagan's teammates have mentioned that Simmons went back to the drawing board upon his arrival, running through the most basic of techniques with even the most seasoned veterans. As a talented but raw defender with just one sparing year of playing time, Hagan said he wasn't the one to grumble during the preseason.

"I just had to adjust to it," he said of Simmons' approach. "He taught me those (basic) things -- it's something that I wasn't taught before -- and I appreciate that."

The presence of one of the conference's top corners in Thompson is also something that Hagan said he values.

Hagan mentioned that the fact that Thompson went through a humbling episode as well in his first start at Tennessee in 2006 only helped him recognize the path it takes to elevate one's game.

"Syd is a big influence," he said. "From how far he's come in his own experience, too ... That's just motivation for me to keep pushing, working and watching him and trying to learn techniques from him to be up there on that level."

Tags: DARIAN HAGAN, CAMERON MORRAH, CAL FOOTBALL