BERKELEY, Calif. -- Two days before California plays its second game in less than a week against a well-rested USC team, coach Sonny Dykes was still trying to figure out why the Golden Bears were put in this position.The quick turnaround and short week following Fridays double-overtime win against Oregon forced Cal to condense its normal schedule, something that wouldnt bother Dykes so much if there werent so many other factors involved.The Bears already had to trim a day off their regular routine because Thursday nights game is on the road. On top of that, several Cal players are in the middle of midterm exams, reducing their availability for practice even more.Its a topic that Dykes has been simmering over for a few weeks now and one he wasnt ready to back off of Tuesday.When you sit down and look at the schedule, clearly its not ideal, Dykes said Its one of those deals where you just go, `How in the world did this ever happen? How could somebody let this happen?Cal (4-3, 2-2 Pac-12) was coming off a 12-day break when it beat Oregon in Berkeley on Friday night in a game that lasted nearly 4 + hours and didnt end until almost midnight local time. The Bears ran 118 plays offensively against the Ducks, which Dykes said was the equivalent of playing two games.On the other hand, USC (4-3, 3-2) hasnt played since thumping Arizona 48-14 on Oct. 15.While some team would have had to play the Trojans coming off a bye, Dykes cant understand why the Bears were selected to do it on short rest -- and on the road.Weve had to make a lot of schedule changes and do a lot of different things out of the norm, Dykes said. Its one thing to do it on six days notice. Its another to do it on the road. But our guys have handled it well.The Bears shortened their work week to try to get everything in.Players were given Saturday off but were back on the field Sunday afternoon. Cal practiced on its normal day off, Monday, but several players were unable to attend due to academic responsibilities.The challenge you always face is making sure that you balance keeping them fresh with getting enough reps and developing your young players, Dykes said. Just teaching them all the things you need to teach them about your opponent in a limited amount of time. Weve got to balance getting some work done but at the same time making sure were fresh.Cals players dont seem bothered by the quick turnaround.Defensive back Cameron Walker and left tackle Aaron Cochran said the short week means more emphasis on studying USC and doing extra film work.Quarterback Davis Webb, on the other hand, doesnt think it will be much of an issue at all.Its a challenge but I think its a mindset at the same time, Webb said. We understand thats how the schedule rolled for us this year and there are no excuses. We have to play a tough team on Thursday night and we look forward to the challenge. 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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals are holding a couple of outdoor practices, then are going to do what many desert dwellers do this sweltering time of year -- head to San Diego.The training camp usually is held in the air-conditioned comfort of University of Phoenix Stadium. But a Guns NRoses concert forced the team outside for morning practices on Sunday and Monday.After that, its on to San Diego for joint practices with the Chargers on Tuesday night and Wednesday. Arizona and San Diego meet in a preseason game on Friday night.Mike (Chargers coach Mike McCoy) and I have talked a bunch of times about doing it together, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said. Guys are tired of hitting each other. ... Its a good change of pace for us.Arians didnt seem too concerned about Friday nights 30-10 preseason loss to Oakland. Cardinals starters played one series, with the exception of new starting right tackle D.J. Humprhries and rookie cornerback Brandon Williams, who played to the second quarter.After viewing video of the game, Arians said theres a lot of technique work that needs to be cleaned up with some younger players. But the effort was really good and we need to tackle better.Arians said the starters will get, at most, 16 to 18 plays against the Chargers. He wants the starters to have gone about 50 plays in the preseason before Arizona opens its season at home against New England on Sept. 11.Quarterback Carson Palmer called Friday nights brief stint by the starters a tease that made him want go play longer.Arians said hes in no hurry.Im pretty sure I know what they can do, he said. Its just a matter of getting them all there to that first game.Arians said defensive back Tyrann Mathieu (knee), cornerback Justin Bethel (foot) and defensive lineman Frostee Rucker (foot) -- could come off the physically unable to perform list in the coming week but only for walk-throughs.They will eventually get into individual drills, when theyre ready, Arians said. I can bring them off early, not necessarily because theyre physically ready but to get some mental reps.Arians said hes pleased wiith the teams overall progress.ddddddddddddI think were a little bit further along than weve been in the past, he said. Obviously, our learning curve wasnt as step for our veteran players. The younger players, seeing the vets do it right, they get better exposure on how to do it, so they learn quicker that way.All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson has been tutoring Williams all camp and said the rookie had a solid performance in a tough matchup with the Raiders Amare Cooper.For the most part, I thought he had a very sound game, Peterson said. His technique is getting better, his position as far as engaging the receiver has definitely gotten better. So hes definitely taking the right strides and hes got three more games to learn.Arians singled out the play of tight end Troy Niklas, a second-round draft pick out of Notre Dame in 2014 who has been slowed by injuries his first two seasons.I thought Troy had a heck of a game, Arians said. He put together a great week of practice and it showed up in the game. He continues to push those other two guys (Darren Fells and Jermaine Gresham) for the starting job.Niklas said hes feeling good.I feel a lot more competitive this year, he said.Safety Tony Jefferson is from San Diego and said hes already been besieged by teammates with questions about the best restaurants.Everybodys asking `Oh, where do I go, he said.Jeffersons reply: Just follow my lead and Ill lead you to the promised land.Game notes Gresham sat out Sundays practice with back tightness. ... The Cardinals signed defensive tackle Iosia Iosia (yes, thats his name). Iosia is an undrafted rookie free agent out of West Texas A&M who was released by the Tennessee Titans on May 16. Arizona reached an injury settlement with linebacker Zack Wagenmann. ... Palmers San Diego-area house remains on the market. The Los Angeles Times reported the asking price at $25 million.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '