Cal RB Jahvid Best hurt on touchdown

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) - California tailback Jahvid Best sustained a concussion and was carted off the field Saturday night and taken to the emergency room after he landed on the back of his head when he leapt more than 5 feet in the air and flipped over a defender to score a touchdown.

Best had movement in all of his extremities, Cal spokesman Herb Benenson said. He also said that a preliminary evaluation showed Best sustained a concussion, but more tests were being done before a final diagnosis would be announced by the school.

Best's helmet came off on impact. He vaulted into the air over Oregon State safety Cameron Collins. Paramedics removed Best's jersey and he was wearing an oxygen mask when taken away. Benenson said he was taken to an emergency room for observation and examination.

Best missed practice Tuesday and Wednesday with a slight concussion sustained in the team's 23-21 win at Arizona State last Saturday, but participated in full during Thursday's workout. The concussion wasn't diagnosed right away.

The latest injury - with 6:07 before halftime - silenced Memorial Stadium, where fans chanted "Jahvid! Jahvid!" before everything went quiet. His mother, Lisa, was among those around the 20-year-old junior.

His teammates went down on their knees and waited, then moved to the end zone as trainers and doctors took him away on a stretcher. The game was delayed 13 minutes. Some of Oregon State's players who were on the field at the time huddled together in support.

Best, one of the most dynamic running backs in the country and a preseason Heisman Trophy contender, has 16 touchdowns and 867 rushing yards this season for the 23rd-ranked Golden Bears, including 29 yards on nine carries Saturday with the 7-yard TD run. He also has 22 catches for 213 yards.

Cal quarterback Kevin Riley took a hard hit with 1:19 left in the first half and was helped to the sideline. He returned in the second half.