July 22, 2006

BERKELEY - The University of California, in conjunction with CSTV Online, has launched www.Marshawn10.com to promote Golden Bear running back Marshawn Lynch. The junior is a candidate for the 2006 Heisman Trophy as well as the Doak Walker Award, the Maxwell Award and All-America honors.

The website features highlight video from his first two seasons in Berkeley and will include highlights from each game of the 2006 campaign as the season progresses. His statistics are clearly visible on the front page and will be updated immediately following his games. A complete bio and a "Meet Marshawn" question-and-answer session offer fans and media the opportunity to get to know the running back. In addition, his honors and records and a list of quotes from college football experts, coaches and players from around the nation are available for perusal.

Lynch, a native of Oakland, Calif., is coming off the third-best rushing season in Cal history with 1,246 yards in 2005. He missed two full games and the majority of another due to injury last year, but he still ranks second among returning rushers in the nation. He has been named by Sports Illustrated's SI.com as the eighth best player in America. Lynch's talent has also been recognized by The Sporting News, which rated him the nation's second-best running back.

The 5-11, 223-pound runner has been recognized as a preseason All-American by five publications to date. Lindy's Football Annual, Rivals.com, The Sporting News and Street & Smith's all list him as a first team All-American, while Athlon Sports placed him on its preseason All-American second team. In addition, Lynch has been selected to the Watch List for the 2006 Maxwell Award as college football's top player.

California is coming off an 8-4 season that included a win at the Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl. The Bears ended the 2005 season ranked No. 25 in both the Associated Press and USA Today polls. Cal opens the 2006 season on the road at Tennessee on Sept. 2. The home opener for the Golden Bears is Sept. 9 against Minnesota. The Bears have been ranked in the top 10 in five different preseason rankings for 2006.