By George Devine, Sr.

A 59-41 loss can be devastating, but for Cal it could be a hopeful sign, given the fact that the loss was to sixth-ranked Oregon and could have been far worse. The Bears went up against what is arguably the toughest opponent in their conference and had to do it in the cavernous, spanking-new Levi’s stadium at Santa Clara instead of the friendly confines of Strawberry Canyon. They came out alive, still in the middle of the Pac-12 North at 4-4 and still a potential postseason bowl candidate.

Coach Sonny Dykes, enjoying a far better season than his first one in 2013, addressed the media with his comments on the youth of the team and the mistakes that came from inexperience. But he found hope in the performance of Vic Enwere, a freshman running back who had 57 yards on the ground, an average of just over ten yards each time, and who contributed grind-it-out TD against the Ducks. Another freshman, Luke Rubenzer, was good for 62 yards. Both will be counted on against Oregon State on November 1.

The Beavers, who lost to Stanford by a score of 38-14, are now 1-3 in conference play, looking up at the Bears in advance of the meeting set for Corvallis Their quarterback Sean Mannion has shown himself to be stoppable by a good defense, which Cal will need to mount. Everything that has been exhibited by the two teams so far indicates that it will be defense that wins this game, and which could put Cal within a win of a bowl bid.