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San Francisco • The Utah Utes' early experience in the Pac-12 has been rather humbling.

The Utes entered the league with a goal of winning their division and maybe even the first Pac-12 title. Now, halfway through their conference schedule, the Utes are no longer talking a title win — they just want any win. Make that, they need a win.

The last time the Utes lost their first three league games was in 2002, when they lost four. Utah defensive end Derrick Shelby wants no part in matching that streak.

As good as it felt to beat Pitt and end their two-game losing skid, the Utes feel just as much urgency to beat Cal today at AT&T Park for their first league win. The challenge is, Cal has lost its past three games and probably is as hungry for a win as the Utes.

"It's going to be two teams desperate for a win," Shelby said. "I know we're going to play hard every play. It's going to be tough, but we have to be tough to win."

While the Utes acknowledge league play perhaps has been more challenging than they expected, they don't feel overmatched.

The Utes played USC tough at home and had a chance to push the game into overtime, while five turnovers against Washington and Arizona State turned close games into blowout losses.

Still, the Utes know it is time to put up or shut up. The Utes know everyone in the college world is watching to see how its move up the big leagues goes, and the players say they feel a responsibility to win as much for themselves as other good mid-major teams.

"This is a big game — it's as big as our last win when we broke the two-game losing streak against Pitt," senior lineman Tony Bergstrom said. "We want to make a name for ourselves in the Pac-12. We're not worried so much what the Big East thinks of us so much as we want to make a big deal in the Pac-12."

Today's game against the Bears seems about as winnable for the Utes as any that they have left on their schedule.

Cal's offense is struggling, averaging just 15.7 points in losses to Washington, Oregon and USC. Running back Isi Sofele, a Cottonwood High School grad, is fifth in the league, averaging 90.5 yards a game.

However, he's up against a Utah defense that held Pitt's Ray Graham, then the nation's second-leading rusher, to just 46 yards.

The Utes are also doing a much better job of getting pressure on the quarterback, which could mean a long day for Cal quarterback Zach Maynard, a transfer from Buffalo who already is struggling.

"We have a lot of confidence after last week," linebacker Matt Martinez said of the defense. "We're starting to see just how good we can be."

Utah's offense has its own struggles, averaging just 14 points against league foes and producing just one touchdown in the Utes' win over Pitt.

The biggest issue has been the Utes' lack of red zone production as penalties and miscommunication along the offensive line have killed scoring chances.

The Utes believe those issues have been addressed this week in practice.

"We've talked about the execution and the penalties," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "This is a tough, hard-nosed team we are playing, and we have to take care of those issues."

If they don't, the Utes could be headed for another loss and another week of waiting to get that elusive first league win.

"We need that first Pac-12 win," defensive tackle Star Lotulelei said. "We want to show everybody we really can play in this conference." —

Utah at Cal

P Kickoff • Saturday, 5 p.m. MT

TV • KJZZ and Comcast Sports Net-Bay Area

Radio • 700 AM

Records • Utah 3-3, 0-3; Cal 3-3, 0-2

Series history • Cal leads 4-3

Last meeting • Utah won 37-27, Dec. 23, 2009

About the Utes • The Utes have won the past two meetings against the Bears, including the 37-27 win in the 2009 Poinsettia Bowl...The Utes haven't started 0-4 in conference play since 2002...The Utes are third in the Pac-12 in opponent fourth-down conversions (4-for-11) and pass defense (231.8)...Backup running back Tauni Vakapuna (ankle) has practiced this week and is expected to be available Saturday.

About the Bears • Have lost their past three games...Cottonwood H.S. grad Isi Sofele is fifth in the Pac-12 averaging 90.5 yards a game...Quarterback Zach Maynard is averaging 269 yards of total offense with his favorite receiver being Keenan Allen, averaging 138 yards receiving a game...Coach Jeff Tedford is 75-45 in his 10th year.