Category: NCAA

ACC Weekly: Can Pitt or SMU Define Themselves?

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By Morris Phillips

Pat Narduzzi’s Pitt Panthers haven’t really beaten anyone of substance. Rhett Lashlee’s SMU Mustangs have impressive results, but admittedly, they can’t say they’ve played clean football.

Who are these two ACC teams currently at the top of the heap of the expanded conference with their biggest challenges still ahead of them?

Honestly, they don’t know themselves. But the process of gaining their unique identities starts on Saturday night in Dallas when they meet with a share of first-place in November on the line.

“Pretty much what we saw: we played pretty good football minus six turnovers and a goal line stand, which makes it really bad football,” Lashlee admitted in recounting the Mustangs’ thrilling escape act at Duke, a 28-27 win in overtime in their previous game.

SMU built a 21-7 third quarter lead only to see the host Blue Devils tie it and force overtime with touchdowns on their last third quarter possession and the first fourth quarter possession. Throughout SMU and quarterback Kevin Jennings suffered self-inflicted wounds with three interceptions and three fumbles while not forcing any Duke turnovers. The 6-0 disparity in miscues was unusual, even more so when SMU held on in overtime. It marked the first time since Marshall’s 2011 win over Memphis that a team had overcome that severe of a turnover deficit.

“We’ve never had a game like that, I’ve never had a game like that. It’s kind of like a twilight zone scenario.”

Narduzzi’s Panthers weren’t considered to be an ACC title contender by the media, not even close. Picked 13th (while 1-7 Florida State was picked 1st), they’ve beaten North Carolina, Syracuse, and Cal, none of whom created much buzz in the poll either. The veteran coach, who’s known for his gruff manner and pushing his players’ buttons, likely spiced up pre-season practices with references to his team’s lacking reputation. Narrow, non-conference wins over Cincinnati and West Virginia didn’t get people talking either. Destroying Syracuse 41-13 last Thursday did, but the highlights were littered with the Orange making damaging mistakes.

Now Pitt’s 7-0 for the first time since 1982, and SMU is much more talented than anyone they’ve played to date. A big road win would bring validation, but it may take some tweaking of Pitt’s mentality. Narduzzi admitted as much.

“I want our guys to play angry. I want them to play with an attitude and a chip on  their shoulder all the time,” Narduzzi said. “We’ll find different ways to piss them off, get them angry, and feel disrespected.”

Neither team can write their ticket to the ACC Championship game with a win Saturday as Clemson and Miami are also undefeated in conference play. For SMU, whose only loss is to BYU, the path would get clearer as they finish against Boston College, Virginia and Cal, all of whom they will be favored against. Pitt’s backloaded schedule still has them hosting Virginia and Clemson, with visits to Louisville and Boston College.

One thing’s certain: the SMU-Pitt loser faces the uphill climb everyone expected them to face before the season started.

“Our motto for the year is ‘prove it,'” Narduzzi said. “Just find a way to get it done, and improve who you are week in and week out. Because nobody cares what happened in the first seven games of the season.”

Eli Holstein, Pitt’s prolific passer who transferred from Alabama, has thrown for 1,805 yards and 17 touchdowns. He didn’t finish the Syracuse game after suffering an undisclosed injury, but he’s been cleared medically and is expected to start against SMU. Kevin Jennings, the Mustangs’ signal caller was questionable as well, but he’s expected to start and contend with a Pitt defense that’s been excellent, and opportunistic.

SMU might have the best playmaker in running back Brashard Smith, who hits the hole with force while being a factor in the pass game. Smith has 10 touchdowns, and has steadily been trusted to handle the football more and more. Last week against Duke he had a season-high 26 carries for 117 yards and three receptions for another 22 yards.

HOKIES SEEK FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN AT SYRACUSE:

Bhayshul Tuten is performing like the barometer for Virginia Tech as one of the ACC’s best backs who has been even better in the Hokies’ current, three-game win streak. Tuten rushed for 80 yards on 17 carries last week as the Hokies drubbed Georgia Tech at home, 21-6.

Prior to that Tuten hit his career-best with 266 yards rushing in a win over Boston College. It was the fifth time the senior has eclipsed 100 yards on the ground, including all four of his home games.

Suddenly, Virginia Tech is 5-3 and 3-1 in the ACC, giving them hope that a miraculous finish to the season could propel them into the ACC Championship game. But first, they must deal with a difficult environment at Syracuse’s JMA Dome and their quarterback Kyle McCord, who’s been better more often than not, although he did struggle in the Orange’s 41-13 loss at Pitt.

Meanwhile, Tuten suffered an injury against Tech last week, and he’s looking for clearance to play on Saturday. Coach Brent Pry was non-committal but was hopeful that he’ll have his offensive leader on Saturday.

“He’s tough. If he has an opportunity to play he will,” Pry said of Tuten.

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal ends four game loss streak with a vengeance beating Oregon State 44-7

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Cal Bears wide receiver Nyziah Hunter (13) rushes on Oregon State Beavers defensive lineman Jacob Shuster (62) in second half action at Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Wed Oct 30, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 Cal Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza had himself quite an afternoon last Sat Oct 26th at Memorial Stadium against the visiting Oregon State Beavers with a career high of 364 yards and two touchdowns in defeating the Beavers 44-7.

#2 Morris this was important morale victory for the Bears who had been on a four game losing streak and wanted to break out and get one back in the win column.

#3 Cal was so far ahead that they even had a 31-0 halftime lead and everything on both sides of the ball were working for Cal.

#4 This was under different circumstances to have a meeting between these two teams as they were both in the Pac 12 that since broke up over the off season with Cal being an ACC team and Oregon State 1 FBS. Taking that in consideration was there any advantage for Cal knowing this Beavers team from playing against every year going into last week’s game?

#5 Cal now head to play Wake Forest Demon Deacons next Friday Nov 1 at 5:00pm PT. Wake Forest has won three of their last four games. Wake Forest just edged the Stanford Cardinal last Saturday at Stanford Stadium 27-24. Cal is coming off a big offensive game and Wake Forest is coming off some big wins how do you see this match up this Saturday?

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

Late field goal lifts Demon Deacons over Cardinal 27-24; Stanford’s winless streak continues, 12th consecutive loss to FBS opponents

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Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Eric Ayomanor scampers from the grasp of a Wake Forest Demon Deacons defender at Stanford Stadium on Sat Oct 26, 2024 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Wake Forest kicker Matthew Dennis booted a 23-yard field goal with under two minutes to play Saturday, as the Demon Deacons slipped past Stanford 27-24 in Atlantic Coast Conference football at Stanford.

It was the fifth loss in a row for the Cardinal (2-8 overall, 1-4 ACC) and are winless in the last two seasons. Stanford has lost 12 consecutive home games to FBS opponents.

Wake Forest, meanwhile, won its third straight road contest and moved a step closer to bowl eligibility, The Demon Deacons rolled up 418 yards in total offense, while Stanford had 346.

Nick Anderson wrapped up the victory for Wake Forest (4-4 overall, 2-2 ACC) when he intercepted an Ashton Daniels pass with 22 seconds to play. A 36-yard punt return by Taylor Morin gave the Demon Deacons the ball at midfield, setting up the game-winning field goal.

Demon Deacons quarterback Hank Bachmeier tossed three touchdown passes in the first half, including a 30-yard strike to Micah Mays Jr. and a 39-yard TD toss to Tate Carney. Bachmeier threw for 245 passing yards on 20 of 30 completions, but struggled in the second half and was sacked four times.

At 12:44 of the second period, Justin Lamson scored from a yard out to put the Cardinal on the board. Wake Forest turned the ball over at 8:58 of the second period when Bachmeier was sacked and fumbled, Tevarua Tafiti picked up the ball and ran 44 yards for the game-tying touchdown.

Emmet Kenney kicked a 40-yard field goal at the end of the quarter, and the Cardinal trailed 24-17 at halftime.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Cardinal tied the game with 8:41 to play on a 16-yard TD pass from Daniels to Sam Roush. Dennis later booted his go-ahead field goal for Wake Forest with 1:48 remaining,

Demond Claiborne rushed for 127 yards on 23 carries for Wale Forest, and Deuce Alexander led the Deacons with five catches, Daniels completed 24 of 31 passes for 214 yards, one touchdown, and was intercepted twice. Daniels also led Cardinal ball carriers with 54 rushing yards on 11 carries. Elic Ayomanor caught 11 passes for 96 yards to lead Stanford receivers.

The Cardinal travel to Raleigh, N.C., next week to face NC State.

Fast Start, Quicker Improvisation Propels Cal To A Streak-Ending, 44-7 Win Over Oregon State

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Saturday’s resounding 44-7 win over Oregon State wasn’t about finding answers to the persistent questions. It was about changing the discourse entirely.

Can Cal win a close game? Can its defense summon a critical stop in the fourth quarter? Should coach Justin Wilcox be retained for a ninth season?

Those questions weren’t broached and will have to be answered in the coming weeks. In fact, any nagging questions must be asked of the visiting Beavers. They were nearly a complete no-show, falling behind by two touchdowns in the first six minutes and 31-0 at the half.

Fernando Mendoza threw for a career-best 364 yards, and freshman Derek Morris kicked a school-record tying five field goals in the win. For both, there was sweet redemption as Cal’s revamped offensive line protected Mendoza beautifully, and Morris gained confidence after his fourth quarter, field goal miss that would have given the Bears a lead last week against NC State with 90 seconds remaining.

“We just want to be really consistent in our play and have a standard of play that doesn’t deviate, regardless of who we play, what the score is, what the weather is like, whether there are fans or no fans,” coach Justin Wilcox said, in skillful acceptance of his team’s resilient play without mention of their painful, four-game losing streak that had them winless since September 14.

Against an OSU defense decimated by injuries and personnel lost in the transfer portal, the Bears started fast and never looked back. Cal’s first 11 offensive plays amassed 122 yards and two touchdowns. By the end of the first quarter, the total yardage disparity was glaring with the Beavers outgained 196-17.

Craig Woodson came up with Cal’s 14th interception on the season when Gevani McCoy’s pass to the boundary was late. That was the first of OSU’s two turnovers and the end of McCoy’s afternoon. He was replaced by graduate student Ben Gulbranson for the remainder of the game with the Beavers trailing 17-0.

“We didn’t play well tonight,” OSU coach Trent Bray said. “So it’s frustrating because we’re better than our record, and we need to play to that standard.”

Wilcox was fulfilled, but he didn’t like that five of his team’s drives ended with a field goal instead of a touchdown. The Bears’ second drive did achieve the desired result, but it forced the head coach to do some explaining afterward. Mendoza completed a screen to Jaivian Thomas in a tight space, and he was immediately engaged by safety Isaiah Chisolm. But Thomas refused to go down. Instead, he was spun back facing Mendoza. In a split second and through eye contact between Thomas and Mendoza, the running back lateraled to his quarterback, who sailed into the end zone from nine yards untouched.

Wilcox was asked if that was the way the play was designed. His first answer in jest was “yes.” But he quickly explained that the players took it upon themselves, knowing one important tenet of Cal football.

“You never want to take away the playmaking ability of a football player. We’re not trying to build robots. However, decision-making is critical,” Wilcox preached. “Those are the moments you have to be right.”

The Bears get their second bye week before traveling to Wake Forest on November 8. Wilcox said his team will maintain a typical game week practice schedule. While the Bears welcomed back Jadyn Ott, who spelled Jaivian Thomas with 10 carries, he wasn’t particularly effective. The hope is the additional time will aid Ott and allow prolific linebacker Cade Uluave to return. Uluave missed the game due to injury, but his teammates still managed to shut off Oregon State’s run game that managed 60 yards on 27 carries.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Stanford needs to step up their defense against Wake Forest in their efforts get in win column

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Stanford Cardinal safety Mitch Leigber (left) is congratulated by teammate cornerback Cam Richardson (right) after intercepting a SMU Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings pass at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Sat Oct 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 The SMU Mustangs bulldozed the Stanford Cardinal last Saturday 40-10. Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings threw three touchdown passes and the Cardinal defense simply couldn’t stop Jennings and the Mustangs.

#2 The win puts the Mustangs at 6-1 and the win over Stanford is their eight straight road win. SMU scored three touchdowns in the first quarter to get things started.

#3 The Cardinal have dropped to 2-5 and continue to have a winless conference record at home through Cardinal head coach Troy Taylor’s first two years at head coach.

#4 The Cardinal have now lost 11 straight home games and 16 games against ranked teams. The last time Stanford won a home game was against the No.3 Oregon Ducks 31-24 back on Oct 2, 2021.

#5 Stanford faces Wake Forest who are 3-4 and have lost three of their last five games and they just got by UConn in their last game Saturday by a field goal 23-20. Stanford comes in on a four game losing streak with the home field advantage this Saturday. Michael how do you see this match up between Wake Forest and Stanford and can the Cardinal stop the bleeding?

Join Michael Roberson for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal hoping to end skid against Oregon State Saturday at Berkeley

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NC State Wolfpack tight end Justin Joly (15) fell short of scoring a touchdown after being tackled by Cal Bears defensive back Cam Sidney (20) in the first half at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 Morris it was quite an afternoon last Saturday as the NC State Wolfpack edged the Cal Bears at Memorial Stadium 24-23 from your view how close of a game was it for Cal in trying to seal the deal on this one?

#2 The Wolfpack’s CJ Bailey was successful in scoring two touchdowns and getting 306 yards enough offensive yards to get the job done.

#3 First half a close game where Cal had NC State close 13-10. The Bears Jaivian Thomas with an impressive 49 yard run for Cal’s first score of the game making it 7-0 with 13:47 in the first quarter. Second quarter Cal kicker Derek Morris booted a 41 yard field goal at 1:12 and Morris added another three points with a 26 yard field goal seven seconds left to close out the first half Cal in front 13-10.

#4 Third quarter again Morris kicked a field goal at 9:10 and a seven yard carry for a touchdown by Thomas with 24 seconds left in the quarter making it 23-10. In the fourth quarter the Wolfpack got touchdowns from Dacari Collins and Hollywood Smothers that edged out the Bears in the for a 24-23 Wolfpack win.

#5 Next game at Cal this Sat Oct 26 at 1:00pm PT as former co Pac 12 team the Oregon State Beavers come calling. The Beavers lost to UNLV last Saturday 33-25. The Beavers are 4-3 and have lost three of their last five games. The Bears are on a four game losing streak and hope to snap it this Saturday how do you see Oregon State and Cal matching up this Saturday?

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

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Can Stanford snap four game skid against Wake Forest Saturday?

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SMU Mustangs running back LJ Johnson Jr (right) is tackled by the Stanford Cardinal cornerback Brandon Nicholson (left) in first half action at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Sat Oct 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 There was no stopping the SMU Mustangs last night at Stanford Stadium Michael they were fired up to face the Stanford Cardinal and no one was anymore fired up than Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings who threw for three touchdowns.

#2 The 40-10 loss to the Mustangs was the second consecutive game where Cardinal were landslided the week before on Sat Oct 12 the Cardinal were crushed by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 49-7. No doubt Stanford’s defense has been struggling in the last two games.

#3 Jennings who threw for three touchdowns also was 17-27 and had 332 yards and it looked like he had all day to throw the football against the Stanford defense.

#4 Stanford coach Troy Taylor is concerned after Stanford has now lost four games in row, “It’s tough. It’s painful for everybody to lose when its not close at the end,” Taylor said. “You’re always concerned about it. But these are the most resourceful men I’ve been around.”

#5 Stanford is up against Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Stanford Stadium on Sat Oct 26th. Wake Forest are 3-4 and won their last game against the UConn Huskies in a close one 23-20. Can Stanford regroup and have a shot against Wake Forest with the Cardinal having home field?

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

Cardinal Stampeded by Mustangs 40-10 on an Early Saturday Evening on the Farm

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Stanford Cardinal quarterback Elijah Brown (2) looks to pass against the SMU Mustangs in the first half at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Sat Oct 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanfords Cardinal (2-5, 1-3 ACC) had no resistance for the Southern Methodist University Mustangs (6-1, 3-0 ACC), as they ran free all over the Bay Area stadium and campus, 40-10, in front of a crowd of just under 20,000 fans.

SMU wasted no time with their onslaught of the Cardinal, with an immediate TD pass for 87 yards and a quick 7-0 lead. Redshirt sophomore QB Kevin Jennings hit senior receiver Moochie Dixon for the first play of the contest scoring effort. The Mustangs were not finished scoring in the initial quarter.

Nearly 10 minutes later, SMU mounted another scoring drive via the air. Jennings tossed his second TD pass to senior WR Key ‘Shawn Smith for a 45-yard TD. Less than three minutes later, Jennings throws his third touchdown (38) pass of the quarter, this time with elusive grace and maneuverability.

After escaping the rush, he connected with junior tight end R.J. Maryland. With less than two minutes left in stanza one, SMU led 21-0. The quarter ended with the same score; however both teams committed crucial penalties to end the first 15-minute black of the ACC battle.

The second quarter started ominously for the Cardinal. Freshman QB Elijah Brown threw an interception. Fortunately for them , the Mustangs did not capitalize o the miscue. A few minutes later, Stanford forced a fumble on their punt, they recovered the ball on SMU’s 46 yard line. Nothing resulted from that opportunity, but they had another chance less than two minutes later.

The hot-armed Kevin Jennings threw an egregious interception on his own 14-yard line. Stanford parlayed that into an eventual touchdown, and got off of the proverbial goose egg and brought the score to a respectable 21-7. Brown threw an 18-yard pass to redshirt sophomore WR Elic Ayomanor to put them on the scoreboard.

The problem was, the Mustangs were not finished scoring before recess. They actually added 10 more points to their tally before the midway point of the game. Redshirt junior running back L.J. Johnson Jr. scampered five yards to paydirt, increasing their lead to 28-7. At the halftime whistle junior kicker Collin Rogers booted a 51-yard FG. At the half, SMU led 31-7.

Mustangs’ QB Kevin Jennings had an impressive 30 minutes of play: 244 passing yards, 3 TDs & an INT. Elijah Brown threw for 45 yards, with a TD and INT.

In the second half, Stanford’s first drive stalled and they had to punt. Fortunately for them, SMU fumbled again on a punt return. Stanford was able to take advantage of the error and get points out of the turnover. Senior kicker Emmet Kenney converted a 42-yarder to bring the team within three touchdowns, 31-10. The score stayed the same after 45 minutes of regulation, but Stafford sacked Jennings right at the end of quarter number three.

The Dallas Area Equines had an interesting start to the fourth quarter. They missed a field goal attempt and intercepted a pass within the first minute of the final quarter. Less than three minutes later, they had Stanford penned down on their own goalline, and the inevitable happened. Elijah Brown was sacked in the endzone for a safety. Two more points on the docket for the Mustangs, and they led 33-10 with nearly 12 minutes left in the game.

For good measure and to have a nice round number on the scoreboard, the visitors from Texas added another touchdown to their already impressive total. 40-10, with 5:03 left in the game, on a 2-yard plunge by L.J. Johnson, for his second rushing TD.

The only suspense left after that last score was how long will it take for the scoreboard to reach triple-zeros? After 60 minutes, SMU 40, Stanford 10.Elic Ayomanor caught 4 passes for 55 yards and a TD.

SMU’s Kevin Jennings was 17-27, 3 TD’s & INT, while LJ Johnson Jr. rushed for 45 yards and scored 2 TDs.

Stanford is next in action Saturday, October 26. They will host Wake Forest at 12:30pm PDT on the ACC Network. SMU heads to North Carolina to take on Duke, also on Saturday, October 26, at 5:00pm EST on the ACC Network

More Of The Same, And Less Of What’s Needed: Cal Drops Another Close One, 24-23 to NC State

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA– By default, the Cal Bears are built to compete in close, contentious football games. Currently, winning those games is not part of the mix.

Freshman kicker Derek Morris’ field goal miss from 28 yards with 1:37 remaining left Cal short on the scoreboard in a 24-23 loss to North Carolina State, but a list of plays and issues kept the Bears winless in their inaugural trip through the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Making winning plays simply hasn’t happened for Cal in a painful, four-game losing streak that has been too little in the game’s biggest moments.

“I have to do a better job coaching the team so we can find a way to win these tight games,” coach Justin Wilcox said. “Everyone has to come back and own their part of it. We need to have high expectations and standards for the way we operate around here.”

The Bears looked the part in building a 13-10 halftime lead and extending it to 23-10 after three quarters. But that put gutty freshman quarterback CJ Bailey in position to survive six sacks and the punishment that came with them, and fashion a comeback that would be the Wolpack’s biggest since October 2012. Bailey threw two fourth quarter touchdown passes, the second 41 yards to Hollywood Smothers that gave NC State the lead with 6:32 remaining.

“His ability to keep composure is just very impressive,” Bailey’s teammate Davin Vann said. “He just continues to show me why he has the ability to play at this level and is going to succeed at this level and beyond.”

Bailey not only was under duress for the first three quarters, but he also was essentially without a run game as well. The Bears stuffed the Wolfpack, allowing an insignificant 29 yards on 30 rushing attempts.

But when afforded time, Bailey delivered, with 6’3″ Justin Joly using his height to snag four catches for 95 yards to lead the NC State receivers. The freshman, who began the season behind senior transfer Grayson McCall on the depth chart, finished 25 of 36 for 306 yards.

“He stays positive, and he’s just got that it factor when it comes to how he manages things and overcomes,” Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren said of Bailey. “Even when he makes a bad play, it doesn’t rattle him.”

The Bears should have benefitted from all the upheaval in NC State’s lineup that saw them without leading rusher Jordan Waters and beholden to a new mic linebacker Kamal Bonner. But NC State touted their depth, and it proved to be the case as their first trip west since a 1960 game at UCLA turned out to be a winner.

Cal’s final drive encompassed 13 plays for 65 yards and put Cal in position to retake the lead. It also bought precious minutes for its defense that once again was on the short side of time of possession in part because of Thomas’ damaging, first half fumble. But the drive didn’t end well after a critical holding penalty on first down at NC State’s 16-yard line. Fernando Mendoza misfired on second down, and two short completions left Cal with a fourth down and sufficient time for NC State to respond had Morris converted a go-ahead field goal.

Again, a missed field goal in the final two minutes was not solely the reason for Cal’s loss.

The Bears (3-4, 0-4) have a non-conference game next Saturday against Oregon State in Berkeley.

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal looking to snap three game skid against NC State Saturday

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Cal Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) had to run for his life pretty much all afternoon against Pitt Panther tackle Braylan Lovelace (0) and the Panther pass rush at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Oct 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 There was no holding down Pitt Panthers last Saturday as they maintained their undefeated record now at 6-0 while Cal drop to 3-3.

#2 Close game but Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza couldn’t get enough points on the board as Cal fell short 17-15.

#3 For Mendoza he threw 27-37 for 272 yards and one touchdown. Did the Panthers have Mendoza running for daylight as he was running out of the pocket and often and ended up getting sacked six times.

#4 Cal’s defense kept the Bears in the game but the offense just couldn’t score enough to get by the Panther in the two point loss.

#5 Cal now focuses on the NC State Wolfpack (3-4)this Saturday with a 12:30pm PT kickoff at Memorial Stadium. The Wolfpack who have lost their last two games the last one against the Syracuse Orange 24-17. Cal comes into this game against NC State snake bitten having losing their last three games all close games against Florida State on Sep 21, to Miami on Sat Oct 5 and to Pitt on Sat Oct 12. Cal will no doubt be driven to get back in the win column after last week’s loss to Pitt with home field advantage.

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