Category: NCAA

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

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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

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: Cardinal take on SMU this Saturday

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The Stanford Cardinal were effective enough to get by the visiting San Jose State University Spartans at Stanford Stadium on Sat Sep 27, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 How will Stanford’s offense adapt its game plan to challenge SMU’s defense, especially in the passing game given SMU’s recent strengths?

#2 Which SMU players (on offense or defense) pose the biggest threat to Stanford, and how can the Cardinal limit their impact?

#3 Does playing on the road in Dallas at Gerald J. Ford Stadium shift the momentum or tilt the balance in SMU’s favor, and in what ways might Stanford overcome that home‑field advantage?

#4 How realistic is it for Stanford to cover or even upset, and what scenarios would lead to that?

#5 In a rivalry matchup with limited history, how much does previous head‑to‑head experience matter (or not), and which team is better positioned—psychologically and strategically—for this game?

Michael Roberson does the Stanford Cardinal podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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

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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.

Stanford Cardinal podcast Daniel Dullum: Cardinal set to face SMU Sat Oct 11 in Dallas

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The Stanford Cardinal line up against the San Jose State University Spartans on Sat Sep 27, 2025 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto. Stanford has a bye this week and play the SMU Mustangs on Sat Oct 11, 2025 in Dallas. (photo by Stanford Cardinal)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 What key plays or decisions swung the momentum in Stanford’s favor in the final minutes? That 4th‑and‑10 conversion by Stanford, or critical missed field goals by San José State? The Cardinal won this one 30-29.

#2 How did the quarterbacks perform under pressure, and which one made the biggest impact down the stretch? Spartans quarterback Walker Eget threw for 473 yards and 3 TDs, while Stanford quarterback Ben Gulbranson engineered a last‑minute drive.

#3 How did special teams especially field goal attempts and kicking influence the outcome of the game? San José State had multiple missed field goals that could have changed the final result.

#4 What does this result say about San José State’s ability to close out tight games against Power‑5 opponents? They’ve historically struggled in such matchups, and this one slipped away in the final minute.

#5 How does this game affect the trajectory or confidence of each team going forward in the season? For Stanford, a comeback win against a local rival; for SJSU a tough loss.

Daniel Dullum is a Stanford Cardinal podcaster at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Walker Eget, New Running Back Room Shine as Spartans Halt Late Comeback Attempt defeat New Mexico 35-28

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San Jose State University Spartans quarterback Walker Eget (5) gets a pass off against the visiting New Mexico Lobos at Spartan Stadium in San Jose on Sat Oct 3, 2025 (photo from Winners and Whiners)

by Austin Ota

SAN JOSE — Following a heartbreaking loss on the road in the Bill Walsh Legacy Game, San Jose State returned home and put on an offensive show for its home crowd, taking down Mountain West-foe New Mexico, 35-28.

With 2024 receiving triple crown winner Nick Nash watching his alma mater on the sidelines, the Spartans (2-3, 1-0 Mountain West) gashed a surging New Mexico Lobos (3-2, 0-1 Mountain West) defense.

“That’s a really good football team,” said head coach Ken Niumatalolo. “Coach Eck — what he’s done — they had to start from ground zero. Their team was 3-1, with some big wins. They’re well coached. That was a hard-fought win.”

After redshirt-senior quarterback Walker Eget fired a career-high 58 past attempts against the Cardinal, the Spartans opened the Friday night bout against the Lobos with a curveball: establishing the run. Five of the first ten plays from scrimmage were rushes, including a third down run from Steve Chavez-Soto to put the Spartans up early. At the end of their first drive, the Spartans ran three straight times, marking just the second time since opening night against Central Michigan they’ve done so.

San Jose State followed with its best defensive possession of the first half. Lobo quarterback Jack Layne, who followed head coach Jason Eck from FBS Idaho, showed his game-management tendencies early on as he weaved through the Spartan defense. But as New Mexico’s run-first offense churned through three- and four-year gains, they had turned field position after converting on a fourth-and-one try.

It was a continued theme for the Spartans, who entered the game having allowed 10 conversions on 12 fourth down tries.

But a pass defense that has also struggled turned the tide on the next play. Larry Turner-Gooden had originally lined up as the man-defender marking the Lobo running back, but as he recognized the flea-flicker try from the opposition, Turner-Gooden floated back into coverage and made an acrobatic play on the football along the boundary for the Spartans’ second interception of the season and more importantly, the first of the safeties’ career.

Eget continued to slice apart New Mexico’s defense, connecting with Matthew Coleman early in the second quarter to put the Spartans up by a pair of touchdowns. Eget was terrific through an early three-safety shell, surely placed by the Lobos following the Spartan air-raid against the Cardinal.

“The biggest thing is go by your rules, go by your keys,” said Eget. “Not overthinking it, take what they give to you. You can’t be getting bored of taking the easy throws or the easy completions.”

The two teams traded scores with a New Mexico rush touchdown and a 70-yard dime from Eget to leading receiver Danny Scudero. The Lobos scored quickly after, canvasing 78 yards when Layne took the top of San Jose State’s defense for a 42-yard gain and Scottre Humphrey pushed the pile for a 1-yard touchdown. Friday night’s first punt came at the end of the first half, and Lobo kicker Luke Drzewiecki drilled a 25-yarder to keep the Lobos in it at the half, 21-17.

Chavez-Soto capped a four-and-a-half-minute drive with his second touchdown of the game. With Jabari Bates sidelined for the rest of the year after sustaining a late injury against the Cardinal and Floyd Chalk IV’s status up in the air as the deadline to redshirt looms, players like Chavez-Soto and sophomore Lamar Radcliffe could be huge pieces for the Spartans going forward.

“Coach Smith always just says, ‘stay ready’,” said the freshman. “So that’s what I did, stay ready, and waited for my opportunity.”
 

New Mexico entered Friday with a top-35 rush defense which allowed just 111 rushing yards per game. Ratcliffe entered the night averaging just 2.6 yards per carry, and Chavez-Soto hadn’t had a single collegiate touch. On paper, it was the unstoppable force of New Mexico’s rush defense against the very movable force of an unproven San Jose State rush attack that had lost its top two rushers.

Instead, the Spartans ran the ball a season-high 36 times for 153 yards. Radcliffe himself had 15 for 64, while Chavez-Soto turned in two touchdowns and put up 71 yards.

And of course, as all good quarterbacks do, Eget shouted his offensive line out for how tremendous they were guiding the run.

“They could be a room that is so freakin’ good,” said Eget. “Once they really knew it, it’s going to keep going with a head of steam. We knew that they had the potential to be one of the best o-lines, not in the Mountain West, but really in college football.”

Minutes later, Layne was intercepted a second time after he was pressured by Noah McNeal-Franklin. Jalen Bainer finished the play, picking up his first interception of the year as well.

When Eget found Leland Smith with 2:42 to play in the third to put the Spartans up by 18, it felt like the game was on ice. Bainer picking off Layne again to start the fourth pushed the metaphorical dagger in even more.

“To be able to close it out,” said Niumatalolo, “those are the type of things that you have to do to win championships. You have to be able to close games out. You have to be able to convert third-and-shorts. And we did so many things offensively, I feel like it’s going to bode well for us as we make a push to the next game.”

But San Jose State punted a second time after a three-and-out. New Mexico State scored on a QB keeper just three minutes later, and converted the two-point conversion. Spartan punter Trent Carrizosa had to double-down and punt again with 6:48 to play.

Layne hit Keagan Johnson in stride twice in a three-minute span for a combined 45 yards to bring New Mexico in field goal range, but after Spartan corner Runye Norton broke up a third down pass, the Lobos drilled a 31-yard field goal to make it a one-score game.

Chavez-Soto converted on a second-and-long to put the game on ice.

The overall hero was Eget. After a strong showing against the Cardinal, he finished 26-of-30 passing with 327 yards, finishing three touchdowns to three different receivers. Even though sophomore Danny Scudero has been the focal point thus far for the Spartans, Eget showed the ability to spray the ball to any open receiver against New Mexico.

Niumatalolo sung his praises.

“To me, everything started with our quarterback,” said Niumatalolo. “He played like I knew he could play. I’ve been saying this, the Walker I saw in camp, the Walker I saw in spring ball. The offense I saw was that offense right there. But we’ve been rolling, and if Walker plays like that… he’s just opened up so many things. He’s going with the ball to the right spots. Throwing it to the right people. As well as I thought the offense played last week, I thought the offense did a better job of finishing their catches.”

Now up over 1,500 yards and nearing ten touchdowns on the year, Eget’s stellar play becomes an easy target for the Spartan offense to try and take aim for as they ride on the shoulders of their quarterback.

With eyes on continuing 1-0 in conference play every single week, the message is straightforward, and it seems that the Spartans have the pieces in place to play the message through. They’ll head to Wyoming next to take on the Cowboys, with kickoff set for 4 P.M.

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

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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

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: Stanford looking for second straight win take on SMU Saturday

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Stanford Cardinal quarterback Myles Jackson (3) flips the ball back to the official in a game against the San Jose State University Spartans at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Sat Sep 27, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 How significant is the “Bill Walsh Legacy” branding for this game in terms of recruiting, alumni engagement, and the rivalry’s narrative between the two programs at SJSU and Stanford?

#2 What happened to SJSU’s defense it didn’t stop or disrupt Stanford’s offense, given Stanford’s struggles in yardage and scoring so far this season?

#3 Which quarterback — Walker Eget for the Spartans or Ben Gulbranson for the Cardinal — had the edge in this matchup, especially in clutch moments (third downs, red zone, late drives)?

#4 How did both teams handle special teams and kicking — did Stanford or SJSU gain an edge via field goals, punts, or kickoff returns?

#5 What adjustments will the coaching staff make as the Cardinal take on the SMU Mustangs (2-2) in Dallas this Sat Oct 11 for a 9:00AM PT kick off. The Mustangs lost to the TCU Frog Horns (3-0) in their last game 35-24 on Sat Sep 20 dropping their record to 2-2. How do you see Stanford matching up with SMU this Saturday?

Michael Roberson is a Stanford Cardinal beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cardinal avenged ’24 loss to Spartans, 30-29, in the Silicon Valley Battle on the Farm

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Stanford Cardinal Sedrick Irvin (26) running back celebrates in front of teammates and the Stanford Stadium crowd in the win over the San Jose State Spartans on Sat Sep 27, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif.– The Stanford Cardinal (2-3) won their second game at Stanford Stadium during Interim HC Frank Reich’s era, with an exciting 30-29 victory over the San Jose State Spartans (1-3), inside Sanford Stadium.

The Cardinal was on a mission immediately to win their half of the home & home against their Santa Clara neighbor/opponent Spartans. Their first drive took 11 plays, earning 81 yards and a score. Things were looking positive at the midway point of the first quarter.

Stanford redshirt-freshman running back Cole Tabb scampered for an eight-yard touchdown, to put the home team up 7-0, on the game’s first possession. Most of the 26,000+ in the stadium was excited for the Cardinal, while a large proportion was for nearby SJSU.

The Spartans scored on their initial drive too. At just under five minute left in the quarter, San Jose State kicker Denis Lynch converter a 46-yard field goal. That score put the Spartans within four, 7-3.

After a Stanford fumble, SJSU parlayed that miscue into a touchdown , less than a minute left in the quarter, Redshirt-Senior quarterback Walker Eget toss a ten-yard pass to redshirt-sophomore Danny Scudero. San Jose State tool the lead 10-7, after 15 minutes of play.

Midway through the second stanza, Lynch made another FG (36), putting his team up by six, 13-7. Approximately four minute later, Stanford responded with a touchdown. They took the lead by one, 14-13.

Stanford redshirt-senior QB Ben Gulbranson threw a 15-yard TD to senior tight end Sam Roush. That lead did not last long, because the Spartans responded nearly two minutes later. They reached the end zone again. WR Kyri Shoels. SJSU attempted to extend their lead by three more points. but Lynch missed a 28-yard attempt. The Spartans lead by six at recess, 20-14.

In the second half, Stanford’s senior LB Matt Rose was ejected from the game (Targeting) and his team penalized 15 yards for the infraction. halfway through the third quarter. The Cardinal did not suffer on the scoreboard after that crucial ejection. Lynch missed his second field goal attempt; therefore, helping provide a scoreless third quadrant.

After 45 minutes of regulation, the score remained 20-14, Spartans. However, the fourth quarter turned out to be a barnburner.

Within the first minute of the final quarter, SJSU doubled their lead to 12, 26-14. Eget threw another touchdown pass five to Scudero. Unfortunately for the special teams, they botched the extra point. Otherwise, they would have been up by 13. Those missed opportunities did come back to haunt the visiting team.

A couple of minutes later, Stanford responded with a 14-yard TD pass. Gulbranson hit redshirt-sophomore WR Myles Libman, to bring the Cardinal within five, 26-21. Lynch avoided the hattrick of missed field goals, when he split the uprights from 31 yards away. They went up by eight, 29-21. Stanford found themselves one scoring opportunity from a tie with less than eight minute in the fourth quarter.

Stanford marched down the field with thoughts of tying the game at 29, with a two-point conversion. Two minutes into the drive, Stanford settled for a 36-yard FG by senior Emmett Kenney. Instead of a tie, Stanford was down by five, 29-24.

That gamble on the defense by Coach Reich worked out for the Cardinal. They received the ball again, and converted on a crucial 4th down conversion.

With :19 left in the game, junior running back Sedrick Irvin reached paydirt on a one-yard run. The Cardinal led 30-29, then attempted a two-point conversion to potentially go up by three. However, the two extra points play failed, then the Cardinal had to hold on to the slim lead.

“I thought the defense was playing extremely well in the second half. You know, they were gaining some yards, but we made the stops we needed to make. It was just fourth and too many yards. Talked to our analytics guys. Had a quick conversation with them about, go for it, kick the field goal, and felt like down by 8 that was the right move.” Stated Stanford Interim HC Frank Reich

San Jose State was unable to score a touchdown, nor get into field goal range, which delighted the Cardinal faithful. After 60 minutes, Stanford was victorious 30-29.

Both quarterbacks threw for over 400 yards passing, in an aerial show on the Farm. Ben Gulbranson – 444 passing yards and two TD passes. Walker Eget – 473 passing yards three touchdown passes.

The Cardinal will next be in action Saturday, October 11 in Dallas against SMU TBD, while the Spartans will host New Mexico Friday, October 3 at 7:00 PM PT on FS1

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

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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

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: Cardinal hope to take advantage of home field Saturday against SJSU

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The Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Bryce Farrell (11) takes off against the Virginia Cavaliers safety Ethan Minter (30) at Scott Stadium on Sat Sep 20, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson:

#1The Virginia Cavaliers (3-1) defense just stuck it to the Stanford Cardinal (1-3) on Saturday at Scott Stadium. The Cardinal just couldn’t get any offense going scoring only 14 points in the first half and six points in the third quarter to keep up with the Cavaliers and picking up their third loss of the season 48-20.

#2 It was a rough first quarter for the Cardinal defense who gave up 21 points to the Cavaliers and coming away with a 21-7 after the quarter.

#3 The second quarter the Cardinal were able to settle the Cavalier offense as both teams played to a 7-7 tie and it was 28-14 Cavaliers at the half.

#4 In the second half the Cavaliers lit up the Cardinal scoring ten points in the third and fourth quarters coming away with a uncontested 48-20 win.

#5 The Cardinal are back to the drawing board and looking for their second win of the season against 1-2 San Jose State at Stanford Stadium. This will be Stanford’s second home game of the season. How do you see this match up for this Sat Sep 27th a 4:30pm kick off.

Michael Roberson does the Stanford Cardinal podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com