HOLIDAY BOWL: CAL 45, TEXAS A&M 10 CAL RUNS AWAY IN HOLIDAY.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON Staff Writer

SAN DIEGO -- After losing two of its past three games to backpedal into the Holiday Bowl, Cal saved its best football for last.

The Golden Bears amassed 476 yards and scored the final 31 points in a 45-10 victory Thursday over Texas A&M in front of 62,395 at Qualcomm Stadium.

``We put ourselves in this position, so we understood and we weren't mad at ourselves,'' quarterback Nate Longshore said. ``We just came out and made a point, and it's great to finish the season this way. It's good for us because the last few games have been tough.''

Longshore, a sophomore from Canyon High, earned co-offensive MVP honors, completing 19 of 24 for 235 yards and a touchdown with one interception. He also scored on a 1-yard run.

It's been quite an emotional year for Longshore, whose father died unexpectedly in April because of a blood clot.

Longshore finished the season with 3,021 yards and 24 touchdowns.

``We played well,'' Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. ``I thought we had a great week of preparation and came in focused. I have a lot of respect and admiration for these men. They did a great job.''

Defensive back Randy Bundy, who played at Cleveland High of Reseda, thought it was vital for Cal to assert itself early and set the pace.

``I think Nate seemed a lot more comfortable tonight, and we knew it was important to jump on them,'' Bundy said. ``Against any team that's important, but especially against Texas A&M because they like to run more than they like to pass. I'm a senior, this is my last game, and it feels good to go out on top.''

Marshawn Lynch (111 yards, 20 carries) scored on runs of 2 yards and 1 yard, Lavelle Hawkins scored on a 4-yard reception, and reserves Justin Forsett and Bryan Schutte added late touchdown runs as Cal (10-3) pulled away.

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Cal's Marshawn Lynch powers into the end zone Thursday in the Holiday Bowl.

Denis Poroy/Associated Press