Former Sailor a force for Cal

Manderino Next LevelManderino, who led Newport Harbor to a CIF Division VI title in 1999, is now the starting fullback for the Golden Bears.Chris Manderino was the CIF Southern Section Division VI Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2000 and led Newport Harbor High to a 13-0-1 record and a CIF Division VI title in 1999.

The former Sailor running back and quarterback amassed 2,354 career rushing yards and scored 31 of his 39 career touchdowns his senior year. He was also named Sea View League Offensive Player of the Year in 2000.

He went from the pinnacle of high school to starting from the bottom in college.

Manderino was determined to play Division I football, but the offers weren’t there.

In 2001, Manderino redshirted at UC Berkeley during a one-win season. He wasn’t used to losing. Since 2002, the Golden Bears haven’t been used to losing either.

In the last three-and-a-half seasons, Cal is 31-15.

At Cal, the former tailback has transformed into a starting fullback on a top-25 team.

Manderino doesn’t have the remarkable statistics he had in high school. As a fullback, his contributions show up in the production of the offense.

During his three years as a starting fullback, Cal has posted three of its four best single-season scoring outputs. In 2004, the offense set the school record for yardage, and led the Pac-10.

“I enjoy playing fullback,” Manderino said. “It allows me to use more skills, running the ball, making catches, and hitting guys on blocks.”

Apparently, Manderino has really taken to blocking.

“He’ll knock your head off,” said Golden Bears running backs coach Ron Gould.

Last year, Manderino played a key role in Cal tailback JJ Arrington, topping NCAA Division I in rushing yards.

“It felt great to be a part of that with [Arrington],” Manderino said. “To see him lead the nation was a great feeling.”

As a fullback you can’t get too caught up in individual records. Manderino points to team accomplishments.

Asked about his biggest win at Cal, the fullback immediately named the 2003 upset over USC.

“It was an amazing feeling,” he said. “We were at home, and it was a triple-overtime game. It was incredible seeing everyone rush the field. We were the last team to beat them.”

Since the loss to the Golden Bears, the Trojans have won 29 straight games.

Another point of pride is Cal’s performance in “The Big Game” the annual regular-season finale against Stanford.

“It’s a huge major rivalry ... one of the longest standing in college football,” Mandarino said. “Every year it’s like our regular season builds up to that game.”

In his three years, the Golden Bears have brought home the Axe, the Big Game’s perpetual trophy, every season.

Manderino wasn’t always a starter. He definitely had to pay his dues.

Manderino made the team as a walk-on. In 2001, he sat out his redshirt year. Cal finished the year a disapointing 1-10.

In the spring practices of 2002, the former Tar went from walk-on to starting fullback and was given a scholarship. His effort was noticed by coaches.

“As a walk-on, you definitely have to prove your worth [to the coaching staff],” Gould said. “The first thing I noticed about him is, he plays with passion and pride. His work ethic is infectious.”

Asked about the differences between conservative Orange County and the liberal-labeled campus in Berkeley, Manderino chuckled.