Category: Cal Bears

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips: Cal hosts UNC tries to recover from Duke loss

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Cal cornerback Hezekiah Masses could not prevent Duke’s Cooper Barkate from catching a touchdown pass. / D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 How did Duke manage to erase Cal’s early 21‑7 lead and dominate the rest of the game?

#2 What role did turnovers and sacks play in the outcome, and which players were most responsible on both sides?

#3 How effective was Cal’s freshman quarterback Jaron Keawe‑Sagapolutele early versus later in the game, and what changed?

#4 Which Duke offensive players made the biggest impact, and how did Cal’s defense struggle to contain them?

#5 Cal hosts UNC head coach Bill Belichick and the UNC Tar Heels and it’s a winnable game for Cal who have home field. The Tar Heels have been struggling losing their last two games and are 2-3 how do you see this match up between UNC and Cal in Berkeley on Fri Oct 17 a 7:30pm PT kickoff.

Cal Bears podcasts are heard Thursdays with Morris Phillips at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

“Bad Football:” Coach Wilcox Doesn’t Mince Words After Cal Gets Blitzed By Duke In A 45-21 Loss

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Depending on your perspective, ACC Football After Dark has never looked so bad, or if you tuned in after 11:30pm in Durham, North Carolina, has it looked so good.

If you missed the first quarter and change of the 7:30pm kickoff local time, you missed Cal’s confident start offensively in which they threw up a trio of touchdowns post haste. Jeron Keawe Sagapolutele started 9 for 9 passing with a touchdown pass, and looked like he had passed his first mid-term exams with such aplomb that he was immediately declared a sophomore.

Then, up 21-7 on favored Duke, the Cal Bears self-destructed.

Sagapolutele would finish the game with completions on 11 of his final 22 pass attempts, including three damaging interceptions. Having seen enough, Coach Justin Wilcox lifted his freshman quarterback for backup Devin Brown, who threw an interception on his only pass of the evening.

Meanwhile, Duke caught fire, scoring 24 points in the second quarter alone, and 38 unanswered points in total. The biggest contributor to Duke’s surge, according to Wilcox, was Cal’s sluggish, inattentive play defensively.

“Bad football. Bad football. Guys getting lined up late,” Wilcox said.

Simply, once Duke and quarterback Darian Mensah hit their stride, they strutted. The Blue Devils scored three touchdowns in less than seven minutes and took a 31-21 lead at the half.

When Cal’s defense stiffened in the third quarter, their offense wilted with punts on three, consecutive possessions before Duke piled it on with two, fourth quarter touchdowns. Sagapolutele looked rushed, and made bad decisions because of the pressure, which resulted in interceptions bookending the three fruitless possessions. Six Duke sacks didn’t help, nor did a running game that produced just 41 yards.

“Bad protection technique from Cal’s pass protectors,” Wilcox conceded. “We have to do a better job protecting.”

Two other big statistical numbers stood out in what is now the game in which Cal allowed the most points to an unranked team in Wilcox’s nine seasons as head coach: the Blue Devils registered 13 tackles for a loss of yardage, while their offense compiled 11 pass plays of at least 15 yards gained.

“We’re finally looking like the team I was hoping we would be and my excitement is thru the roof,” coach Manny Diaz said of his Duke team that improved to 4-2 with a 3-0 record in ACC play.

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips: Sagapolutele’s success leads Cal to wins

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Cal Bears celebrate after Luke Ferrelli’s game-clinching interception against the Boston College Eagles on Sat Sep 27, 2025 (Cal Bears photo)

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 What was the turning point or decisive play that ultimately decided the game? The 51‑yard touchdown pass by Cal’s QB Jaron‑Keawe Sagapolutele late in the game. Cal came away with a 28-24 win.

#2 How did each team’s strengths and weaknesses compare heading into the matchup, and how did that affect the outcome? Boston College’s strong passing offense vs. Cal’s run defense; Cal’s red zone vulnerabilities vs. BC’s red zone defense.

#3 Which individual performance stood out for either side — positively or negatively — and how did those impact the game? Turbo Richard’s 171 rushing yards for BC, Sagapolutele’s composure after early mistakes, or key interceptions.

#4 What role did turnovers, penalties, or special teams play in the flow and final result of the game?

#5 What does this result mean for each team going forward — in terms of momentum, conference implications, or expectations for the rest of the season?

Join Morris Phillips for the Cal Bears podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips: Cal heads to Boston College for week 5 next Saturday

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Cal Bears quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (3) and the offense were simply shutout by San Diego State last Sat Sep 20, 2025 at Snap Dragon Stadium in San Diego (AP photo)

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 After winning their first three games the Cal Bears were shutout 34-0 last Saturday by the San Diego State Aztecs. What would you say were the differences between the first three wins and last week’s absolutely crushing loss?

#2 The Aztecs Chris Johnson did some damage to Cal when he scored a 97 yard touchdown and Dwayne McDougle scored on a 35 yard fumble return. Were these scores just a matter of the Aztecs executing or were they mistakes by the Golden Bears.

#3 Cal missed having a 4-0 start for the first time since 2019. Cal in each of those three wins had won those games by double digits.

#4 Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele at quarterback for Cal couldn’t get the Golden Bears in the end zone. Tough line 17-38, 208 yards, no scoring, two interceptions.

#5 It’s off to Boston College next Sat Sep 27th. BC lost in their last game to Stanford on 30-20 at Stanford Stadium. It was the Eagles second loss of the season dropping their record to 1-2. Cal will be on their second straight week of playing on the road. After getting shutout last Saturday can Cal come back with an improved offensive game plan going into Boston this weekend?

Morris Phillips does the Cal Bears podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips: Cal heads to San Diego State in next match up Saturday

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Cal Bears quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (3) prepares to sling a pass against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Sat Sep 14, 2025 (AP News photo)

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 Cal Bears (3-0) quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele had himself an afternoon against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-1) throwing for three touchdowns in the Bears 27-14 win on Saturday. It was Cal’s third win in a row.

#2 The Gophers came into Berkeley with a 2-0 record and the Bears were likewise 2-0 and the game was viewed as a toss up but Sagapolutele made it look like easy work in the Cal 13 point win.

#3 Sagapolutele was 24-38 for 279 yards and all of his three passes were short scoring tosses. The win against Minnesota is a victory against a power conference opponent.

#4 The Gophers kicker Brady Denaburgh missed a 51 yard field goal that would have been tied up the game with ten minutes left in the game. Koi Perich mishandled a punt at the Minnesota eight and the Gophers missed their opportunities to get back in the game.

#5 The San Diego State Aztecs lost in their last game to the Washington State Cougars 36-13 and will be Cal’s next opponent. The Aztecs were just demolished on both sides of the ball scoring a one touchdown in the first quarter and six points in the third quarter. Cal is rolling as they travel to San Diego to face the Aztecs. How do you see this match up next Saturday?

Morris Phillips does the Cal Bears podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Physical Cal Surprises Visiting Minnesota In A 27-14 Win That Takes Them To 3-0

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Down 14-10 to Minnesota early in the third quarter, the youthful Cal Bears had their first moment of needing belief and a display of confidence.

The test was answered with a 10-play drive that concluded with Mason Mini’s 9-yard catch and run in which he successfully beat a quartet of Gophers defenders to get into the end zone.

For embattled coach Justin Wilcox, the coach was gifted wrapped a drive and a play that encapsulated what he loved of his team’s play on Saturday night in a 27-14 win that takes them to 3-0 on the season.

“I loved the fight the guys showed,” Wilcox said. “That was a physical game.”

Wilcox went on to praise his freshman quarterback Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele, his special teams, and kicker Abram Murray, who converted a 45-yard field goals to give Cal a 10-7 lead at halftime. With each player, assistant coach or position group Wilcox praised, his excitement was evident. Starting 3-0 and for the first time beating a credible opponent was big, and Wilcox obviously felt the vindication.

With an unprecedented 55 new faces on the Cal roster, someone among them had to seize leadership, and the Bears have that in Sagapolutele, who shook off some early missed throws to finish with 279 yards passing, three touchdowns and no interceptions. After Cal trailed briefly, Sagapolutele came up with two of those touchdown passes in Cal’s 17-0 finish that was fueled by two, damaging Minnesota turnovers.

Defensively, Cal frustrated the Gophers’ Drake Lindsey, who threw for just 205 yards along with an interception. The Gophers clearly missed leading rusher Darius Taylor, who missed the game due to injury, in a run game that rushed for 130 yards, but needed 37 carries to get there. Cade Uluave, Cal’s leading tackler, was unavailable for the first due to a suspension for targeting in the Texas Southern game. But he made his presence felt in the second half with nine tackles.

The Bears travel to San Diego State next weekend to face the Aztecs in their final non-conference game before opening ACC play the following week at Boston College.

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips: Cal gets ready for red hot Minnesota; Both teams are 2-0 going into week 3

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sep 6, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears linebacker Cade Uluave (0) kneels on the field before the game against the Texas Southern Tigers at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 Morris the contest against the Texas Southern Tigers wasn’t even a contest Cal Bears (2-0) quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele was airing it out and the receivers and running backs just couldn’t be stopped by the Tigers defense.

#2 The scored three in the first quarter and eight in the second quarter in the second half the Bears ammoed up and scored 14 in the third quarter and ten in the fourth quarter can you talk about the differences in halves as far as the scoring is concerned.

#3 Sagapolutele threw 26-37 for 259 yards and one touchdown talk about the protection he got and he was able to rush a little himself.

#4 The Tigers quarterback KJ Cooper was running for his life all afternoon and had a line of 19-35, 137 yards, and one touchdown. The Cal defense kept it up on him all day long.

#5 The Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-0) are up next at Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkeley. The Gophers are coming off a 66-0 laugher against the Northwestern State Demons for their second straight win. Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey threw for 139 yards went 8-9 and scored a touchdown. Will the Gophers be a handful for the Bears this Sunday or will Cal be a handful for Minnesota?

Join Morris Phillips for the Cal Bears podcast each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Texas Southern took a historic pounce onto the Cal campus Sat Afternoon

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Texas Southern quarterback KJ Cooper was 19-35 for 137 yards with one touchdown against the Cal Bears at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley for week 1 in NCAA action on Sat Sep 6, 2025 (file photo by Texas Southern Tigers Football)

By Michael Roberson

BERKELEY, Calif. — The Texas Southern Tigers (0-2) made their first ever trip to the Bay Area, and Berkeley in particular; however they have been in California before. In 2008 they played Shaw University in Sacramento. The Tigers came, saw, but did not conquer the California Golden Bears (2-0) 35-3..

The Historically Black College/University, located in Houston, was a prohibitive underdogs (44.5); however, the Tigers clawed and fought the ACC sophomore Ursus Arctos Californicus during the first 15 minutes of the contest

“We have a very good team! Expressed TSU HC and former NFL DB Cris Dishman. “We can face anybody. If our guys play up to their capabilities, we can beat anybody.”

After the first quarter, Cal led the visitors from the Lone Star State 3-0, but the Tigers knew they were in the game and in position for a shocking upset victory. They also had to be cognizant that they let some opportunities get away from them. The Bears added another touchdown and a 2-point conversion to extend the slim lead to 11 by intermission, 11-0.

Halftime was a different story. Texas Southern’s highly acclaimed “Ocean of Soul” band put on a tremendous performance rarely seen west of the Mississippi River, or at a Predominantly White Institution (PWI). During the mid game show, TSU had a zero on the scoreboard, grading the football team’s performance, but the band had to have received 10’s from the thousands of excited fans in Memorial stadium.

Not only is Texas Southern an HBCU, they are also a member of the legendary Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The 12-team conference has produced some of the greatest players and pioneers in football history.

Texas Southern’s most renowned alumnus, or football player, would be Emmy Award winning TV host, analyst and football hall of fame honoree, Michael Strahan. His 15-year NFL (NY Giants) career garnered him two Super Bowl victories and countless individual awards. For his his professional career, he was inducted into the HOF in 2014. For his days at TSU (1989-92) he also entered the College Football (2025) and Black College Football (2014) halls of fame. Strahan even has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

A few other luminaries from the SWAC would include the incomparable Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State), Walter Payton (Jackson State), Doug Williams (Grambling State), Steve McNair (Alcorn State), and countless others from the gridiron.

Back to the second half of the game, this is when the heavy favorite started to open up the lead and continue the shutout. Cal scored two more touchdowns in the third quarter, changing the scoreboard change to 25-0 after 45 minutes of gametime.

In the final quadrant, Texas Southern got off of the “Goose Egg” with a 39-yard field goal, although the Golden Bears followed that score with anther touchdown of their own efforts. After 60 minutes of regulation Cal did not cover the spread with their 35-3 dominant victory, but did secure the home opening win and remained undefeated.

Despite the lopsided game result, Coach Dishman did find enjoyment during their trip to the Golden State. “It’s been great! I didn’t know we had that many California alums out here. They were at the hotel cheering us on to victory.” Stated Dishman. He also humbly and publicly apologized that the Tigers could not secure that victory for the TSU faithful.

Cal Finds Its Way On The Fly: Bears Start Slow in 35-3 Win Over Texas Southern

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–New faces, initial impressions, new surroundings… in this case, after an off-season of unprecedented upheaval, there was more of those elements on the home sideline than there were on the Texas Southern side.

Unusual? In a meeting of a FCS program traveling for a payday and a Power 4 program like Cal, almost unprecedented.

Accordingly, Cal started slow, managing just a 3-0 lead into the final 90 seconds before halftime. Slow wasn’t unsure as the Bears defense proved unyielding from the start. But not until quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele scored the game’s initial touchdown with 1:19 remaining before the break did the tension on the scoreboard relent.

“We had the energy going and some good defensive calls,” TSU coach Cris Dishman said. “We had some good drives going offensive, sustained some drives. So we keep them deep. We lost the field position. Football is mainly about field position. After we lost the field position, we couldn’t get it back.”

Cal’s defense maintained the pressure throughout and Sagapolutele’s touchdown triggered a 32-point explosion across five, consecutive possessions and the Bears pulled away to win 35-3.

Sagapolutele, who was a freshman sensation in Cal’s 34-15, season-opening win over Oregon State was less than that in completing 26 of 37 for 259 yards and one interception against the Tigers. Specifically, with Dishman’s acumen in a decade-plus NFL career as a cornerback, the visiting Tigers all but eliminated the deep outs that plagued Oregon State. Against TSU, Sagapolutele’s longest reception was 27 yards, forcing him to remain patient and work inside.

With a receiving crew with limited experience and even less star potential, Cal made it work. Mark Hamper, Jacob De Jesus and Mason Mini each had five catches and the offense clicked in the second half.

Kendrick Raphael was the only Bear to have a statistical history in Memorial Stadium, an illustration of a green offense that returns just one starter (OG Sioape Vatikani) along with rotation receiver Trond Grizzell. Raphael gained 10 yards in 6 carries last season as an NC State reserve back, but quickly made himself at home on Saturday.

Raphael pounded away in the run game, amassing 131 yards on 18 carries and his touchdown extended Cal’s lead to 18-0 in the third quarter.

Defensively, the Cal front led the way with constant pressure that kept TSU quarterback KJ Cooper off-schedule. Redshirt freshman Luke Ferrelli (11 tackles) and Cade Uluave kept Cal nearly perfect with no missed tackles.

Approximately 50 players departed Cal in the off-season, along with several assistant coaches. Impatient alumni complained loudly about ninth-year head coach Justin Wilcox. And the replacements almost entirely came from lesser programs where they had limited roles. Under those conditions, Cal’s 2-0 start is remarkable.

“If you keep the other team from scoring a touchdown, that’s really good,” Wilcox said. “However, there were just a lot of things we’re going to need to improve on.”

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips: Sagapoulutele shakes off nerves in first game against Oregon State

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Cal Bears quarterback Jaron Keawe Sagapoulutele (3) under center took the Bears to victory in their first week of the NCAA season against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium on Sat Aug 31, 2025 (Cal Bears photo)

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 Morris talk about Cal Bears quarterback Jaron Keawe Sagapoulutele threw 20-30 passes for 234 yards for three touchdowns against the Oregon State Beavers in a 34-15 win.

#2 Cal held the lead throughout the entire game which also is a testimony of the good works of their defense.

#3 Sagapoulutele said that he had some nerves going into the game and wasn’t really nervous about making any mistakes.

#4 Sagapoulutele said that he was really anxious about getting out there and having his brothers watching and being able to play against a good team like the Beavers.

#5 Upcoming game this Sat Sep 6 week 2 as the Bears host Texas Southern I know you’ll be on hand for that one clue us in on what to expect.

Morris Phillips is a Cal Bears beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com