Iolani School graduate Igber making a run at Cal history
By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer
Tailback Joe Igber is a game or two away from joining the ranks of the most legendary running backs in University of California history.
Igber, a 1999 Iolani School graduate, rushed for 102 yards and caught four passes for 44 yards and a touchdown Saturday as the resurgent Golden Bears (1-10 last season) decimated 15th-ranked Michigan State, 46-22, at East Lansing.
Igber moved into sixth place on Cal's career rushing chart with a total of 2,254 yards. He is two yards behind Reynard Rutherford and if he gains 151 more, he will leap into fourth place, passing Johnny Olzewski, an All-American from 1950-52.
Russell White (3,367 yards), Chuck Muncie (3,052) and Paul Jones (2,930) are the top three rushers in Cal history.
Igber, 5 feet 8 and 190 pounds, is averaging 86.7 yards per game and is fifth in the Pac-10. He would have to average 124 yards in his remaining nine games to break Cal's career record.
Igber did not carry the ball in five games last year because of injuries, including a broken collarbone.
He set six state rushing and scoring records at Iolani.
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Washington State
Senior quarterback Jason Gesser has replaced Timm Rosenbach as the No. 4 career passer in WSU history.
Gesser, who had 247 yards in a 25-7 loss to Ohio State Saturday, now has 6,131 yards. The three in front of Gesser are Drew Bledsoe, Ryan Leaf and No. 1 Jack Thompson.
Though eventually overrun, Washington State outplayed the Buckeyes in the first half before a Columbus crowd of 104,553.
"When you can make that many people quiet by the way you play, it's amazing," Gesser said.
U. of San Diego
Sophomore Gavin Ng (Mililani '01) returned a punt 53 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter Saturday to ignite a 39-8 victory over La Verne.
"I was dreaming of that," Ng said. "Before the season, I said, 'I need to get a punt return for a touchdown.'
"Now I need an interception."
In the first game of his collegiate career last season, Ng returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown against Azusa Pacific.
Ng's reward for his latest return was being named Pioneer League Special Teams Player of the Week.
