Cal admits fake injury shenanigans, blames assistant coach

Here we have a rare photo of a legitimately injured Cal player … please disregard. Now let’s focus on all the Bears who have gone down under mysterious circumstances lately; especially against Oregon. According to several sources, California defensive line coach Tosh Lupoi was suspended for Saturday’s game at Washington after admitting he instructed a player to fake an injury in a 15-13 loss Oregon on Nov. 13. From the Associated Press:

Coach Jeff Tedford said he plans to keep Lupoi on his staff.

“I respect him a great deal,” Tedford said. ”In the heat of the battle and trying to get a substitution in, he used poor judgment. That’s no reflection on his character whatsoever or his love for Cal and the program. … He’s a great football coach. A mistake was made. I’m sure we’ll learn from it as a whole. We will make sure that we stand for the right things and move forward.”

Several times this season teams have been accused of faking injuries to slow down the high-powered Ducks. Replays showed nose tackle Aaron Tipoti standing up after a play one second then on the ground moments later grabbing his left leg.

Lupoi shouldn’t be suspended for cheating. He should be suspended for teaching bad acting.

Even Cristiano Ronaldo is saying “that’s weak.”

Fun fact: Toshi is the youngest full-time assistant coach in the Pac-10, and was named Rivals Recruiter of the Year this season. OK, I’ll say it; if he’s cheating on the sideline, could he be cheating in other areas as well?

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Cal suspends coach for player fake injury [ABCLocal]
Cal confesses to faking injuries [ESPN]