Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Without Mendoza and Hunter Cal was handicapped to keep up with UNLV

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UNLV Rebels linebacker Jackson Woodard (7) and defensive back Cameron Oliver (5) celebrate after a play in the first half against the California Golden Bears at SoFi Stadium on Wed Dec 18, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris :

#1 UNLV Running Rebels quarterback Hajj Malik Williams connected with wide receiver Kylin James that helped the Rebels come up with a win over the Cal Bears in the LA Bowl 24-13 at So Fi Stadium. Williams had good protection from his line to operate the football against the Bears.

#2 Morris this was a pretty special game for UNLV winning it’s first bowl game since 2000 that wasn’t the Las Vegas Bowl.

#3 This is the first time the Rebels have won 11 games since they joined the FBS Bowl.

#4 For Cal they finish 2024 at 6-7 and haven’t had a winning season since 2019. What weakened the Bears offense was quarterback Fernando Mendoza and wide receiver Nyziah Hunter had entered the transfer portal.

#5 The wrap up the 2024 season. What are some of the things that head coach Justin Wilcox will be looking for in the 2024 season?

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

With 3-2 Overtime Comeback Victory Over Vancouver, There’s Finally No Place Like Home For Utah HC 

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The Utah Hockey Club’s Mikhail Sergachev is thrilled to score the winning overtime goal against the Vancouver Canucks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wed Dec 18, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Tom Walker

SALT LAKE CITY–Utah snaps a 5-game home losing skid with a thrilling 3rd period comeback and overtime win against the Vancouver Canucks 3-2.

The last time Utah Hockey Club won at home was five weeks ago, November 13, against the Carolina Hurricanes.  Coming into Wednesday night’s matchup with the Vancouver Canucks, Utah had lost five consecutive home games while winning six in a row on the road including the most recent two against Colorado and San Jose.  Utah had scored four or more goals in each of their last five games.  

The first period ended as a scoreless draw, with Utah netminder Karel Vejmelka turning away all four of Vancouver’s shots, and Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko turning away nine from Utah. The two squads split the period’s faceoffs with each team winning 11 of 22.

At 8:41 of the second period, Vancouver defenseman Erik Brännström committed a holding penalty against center Logan Cooley, but Utah was unable to capitalize.  Just three seconds following the penalty kill, Utah defenseman Michael Kesselring went to the sin bin for interference against Canuck winger Conor Garland, and with just five seconds remaining in Vancouver’s power play Danton Heinen found the back of the net to give the Canucks a 1-0 lead, assisted by Quinn Hughes.

Dakota Joshua put Vancouver up 2-0 early in the third period going the length of the ice on a breakaway, assisted by Teddy Blueger and Quinn Hughes.  Utah appeared to be pressing to overcome their home arena blues, resulting in some sloppy moments in the offensive zone. 

Nearly halfway into the period, Captain Clayton Keller gave Utah life with his 11th goal of the season, assisted by Nick Schmaltz and Barrett Hayton. With less than five minutes remaining in the game, Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers cross-checked Keller to give Utah a critical power play opportunity which was cashed in just 22 seconds later by Dylan Guenther, assisted by Keller and Logan Cooley, keeping hope alive for a potential end the home losing streak.

As the crowd roared in overtime, the two squads exchanged numerous potential game-ending scoring chances with multiple rushes.  In the end, however, it was Utah defenseman Mikhail Sergachev who came through in the clutch with his 8th goal of the season, assisted by Cooley, to secure the victory.  Utah has now won 5 of its last 6 games.  

Defenseman Mikhail Sergachev spoke with media in the locker room afterward.  “Yeah, it feels good. Finally we got two at home. It feels great. I don’t think we have won at home in a month or so, you know, obviously a big one.”’ Responding to a question about transitioning road success to home success, Sergachev added, “Yeah, it’s just overall play. It’s not like at home we’re not trying. We’re trying a little more, and gripping the sticks sometimes, trying to get a win. But I’m just proud of the group coming from behind. We were down two nothing. Big goals, obviously a big power-play goal, kind of lucky, but we take those, and obviously big in overtime.  …  We’re growing as a group. You know, we’re a young group, but we can make the playoffs. We can play in the playoffs. We can play against playoff teams. We show it on a nightly basis, so we just have to put 60 minutes together and play like that every night.”

Captain Clayton Keller weighed in on getting the home win. “Yeah, it feels good. I think we had a good start, and in the second, we were a little sloppy. We gave them a lot of chances just from our mistakes and maybe forcing a little bit. But, similar to that Minnesota game, I think we regrouped after the second and wanted to have a good start. And I think it’s good, power play gets a goal, and we get a five on five, and great playing in overtime. A lot of players stepped up and made big plays at key times.”  What was the turning point? “I don’t know, maybe after we got the first one, and then we killed off a penalty there. Sergey (Sergachev) makes an unbelievable block on the one timer there that maybe saves a goal for us, and it’s great to see him get the winner as well.”

Earlier in the day, team owner Ryan Smith posted to X, “My treat…we’re opening up single goal view seats which we typically don’t open. Use the link to get 2 free tix for tonight. First come, first served. Let’s pack the barn!” About 2,000 tickets were given away in less than an hour.

Head coach André Tourigny commented on Smith making tickets free and the atmosphere. “That means a lot for the player. You want to be supported, you want to feel like you belong. It means a lot for the coach. It means a lot to everybody. The reaction tonight from the fans, from the first period, from the moment Keller scored, the overtime, don’t tell me you don’t have goosebumps. That was cool, that’s what you love.”

This game marked the conclusion of four straight one-game homestands for Utah. Following this coming Friday night’s game in Minnesota, Utah will return for three consecutive home games beginning on Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks at 3:00pm MST.

Cal Offense Falls Silent In 24-13 LA Bowl Loss to UNLV

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By Morris Phillips

The Art of Sport was overtaken by the Prevalence of Uncertainty at SoFi Stadium, and that was just another layer of bad news for the disheveled Cal Bears on Wednesday night.

The 24-13 loss to UNLV was empty of intrigue after the first quarter, which saw the Bears lead 3-0 and 10-7. The game fell out of reach at that point as Cal kicked just one field goal over the final three quarters while Coach Justin Wilcox was forced to devote all his energy to determining  who he had left to compete.

“There were a lot of guys playing who will be working to earn a spot going into spring,” Wilcox said. “Some of these guys really helped themselves. We have a lot of great evaluation. We wish we would have won the game.”

CJ Harris, Cal’s starter at quarterback, completed 13 of 20 passes but departed in the third quarter when he suffered arm and hand injuries. True freshman EJ Caminong stepped in, but with no playing experience at the collegiate level, he suffered, completing just 6 of 19 passing attempts along with a critical fumble on a botched lateral play.

Fernando Mendoza announced his intention to leave the program 10 days ago, entering the transfer portal and leaving Cal with precioulittle experience at the quarterback position.

The Rebels won their first bowl game since beating Arkansas after the 2000 season. They did so without coach Barry Odom, who accepted the Purdue coaching job in the last week. Hajj-Malik Williams threw two touchdown passes as UNLV started slowly but played steadily throughout with one score in each of the four quarters.

“I’ve done this so many times that it is a big deal for the players to experience,” interim coach Del Alexander said. “For them to feel it and get the reward and establish the legacy, it’s important for them.”

Cal finishes the season at 6-7, failing to post a winning season for the first time since 2019. The Bears won 3 of 4 and beat Stanford to gain bowl eligibility but lost their final two games.

Barracuda improve to 5-0 against the Firebirds this season, Poturalski 3 point night

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COACHELLA VALLEY, CA – DEC 18, 2024: The Coachella Valley Firebirds vs. San Jose Barracuda at Acrisure Arena. (Photo by Mike Zitek/Coachella Valley Firebirds)

By Madison Montez

SAN JOSE- In an Andrew Poturalski 3 point and a Jake Furlong first professional goal night, the Barracuda remain undefeated against the Coachella Valley FireBirds, improving to a record of 5-0.

With the Barracuda being undefeated against Coachella this season, the Firebirds wasted no time, scoring 34 seconds into the game. Logan Morrison scored his 4th of the season assisted by Ville Ottavainen and John Hayden. At 10:11, Jagger Firkus took a 2 minute penalty, giving the Barracuda their first powerplay of the game. 32 seconds later, San Jose proved why they’re first in the league on the powerplay. Andrew Poturalski scored his 10th goal of the season assisted by Filip Bystedt and Luca Cagnoni.

After getting outshot 10-7 in the first period, Lucas Carlsson gave the Barracuda their first lead of the game at 3:09 of the second. Poturalski registered the only assist and his second point of the night. At 7:44, Lleyton Roed took a 2 minute penalty for holding. A minute and 11 seconds later, Danil Guschin netted his 6th goal of the season assisted by Collin Graf and Andrew Poturalski.

Thomas Bordeleau took a 2 minute penalty for goalie interference giving the Barracuda their second penalty kill opportunity of the game at 14:33. San Jose remains in the top of the league on the penalty kill with a 88.7%. Unfortunately, the top penalty kill wasn’t effective with John Hayden scoring his 6th goal of the season to cut down the Barracuda’s lead to 1 at 14:51.

At 12:14, Collin Graf netted his 6th goal of the season assisted by Luca Cagnoni and Filip Bystedt to put the Barracuda up by two. The Barracuda are now 3 for 7 on the powerplay, keeping their first place spot.

Jake Furlong sealed the win for San Jose scoring an empty net goal for his first professional goal at 19:55.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

  • 1. Andrew Poturalski
  • 2. Collin Graf
  • 3. Danil Guschin

The Barracuda will be back in action on Friday where they travel to Bakersfield to take on the Condors. This will be the first official matchup between the two teams this season, the last time they saw eachother was in a preseason game where the Barracuda won 4-2.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Raiders best chance to end 10 game skid this Sunday against Jaguars

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Las Vegas punter AJ Cole (6) gets his punt blocked the Atlanta Falcons KhaDarel Hodge (12) in the second half at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Monday Night Football Dec 16, 2024 (AP News photo)

1 The Atlanta Falcons struck first scoring a 30 yard touchdown on a pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins to wide receiver Drake London giving the Falcons 7-0 with 14 seconds left in the first quarter.

#2 At 11:44 in the second quarter Raider kicker Daniel Carlson booted a 52 yard field goal making it 7-3 and the Falcons. At 5:35 Alexander Mattison Rush took a one yard loss for a safety and the Falcons picked up two more points making it 9-3.

#3 Third quarter the Falcons got a field goal from Younghoe Koo who booted a 40 yard field goal and the Falcons were up 12-3 at 9:25.

#4 Fourth quarter Koo got a 48 yard field goal and pulled ten points on the Raiders with a 15-3 lead at 13:26 left in the game. At 2:54 Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder threw to wide receiver Ameer Abdullah for a five yard touchdown pass and the Raiders first touchdown of the game cutting the Falcons lead to 15-9.

#5 The Raiders host the Jacksonville Jaguars next Sunday at Allegiant Stadium. The Jags are having a tough time at 3-11 this might be the best chance the Raiders have at snapping their ten game losing streak. How do you see this one next Sunday?

Tony Renteria does the Raiders podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Suspending Campbell rather than releasing him saves 49ers money in base salary

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San Francisco De’Vondre Campbell (59) has been suspended for three games after refusing to get into the game against the Los Angeles Rams last Thu Dec 12, 2024 at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara. He will not be released by the team. (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 On the suspension of linebacker De’Vondre Campbell for the rest of the season by not releasing him the 49ers save $261,666 which is his base salary for the three games that he’s suspended out of his $3.35 million signing bonus. Campbell is signed for one season at $5 million.

#2 In terms of the team is concerned how surprised or shocked did this effect the team that Campbell wasn’t going into the game.

#3 Sun Dec 22 the 49ers (6-8) are in Miami for a 1:25pm PST kick off. The Dolphins (6-8) are 4-3 at home and the 49ers are 2-4 on the road. How do you see this match up this Sunday?

Join David Zizmor for the 49ers podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford gets early 19 point lead beat Merrimack by six 74-68

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Stanford guard Jaylen Blakes drives the ball against the Merrimack Warriors in the Cardinal six point win at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Tue Dec 17, 2024 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Stanford Cardinal  Oziyah Sellers went on an offensive rampage scoring 19 points and was 8 for 11 shooting from the floor at Maple Pavilion on Tuesday night leading the Cardinal to a 74-68 win over the Merrimack Warriors.

The Warriors almost came back on the Cardinal whittling their 19 point lead down to just six points before time ran out and Merrimack dropped their record to 5-7. Stanford’s always reliable Maxime Raynaud came through leading with 16 points and 16 rebounds.

Jaylen Blakes contributed with 16 points to help improve the Cardinal record to 9-2. Blakes was 5-7 from the floor and was perfect in 3 point shooting going 4-4. Blakes had a pretty good night adding seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Sellers and Ryan Agarwal scored 11 points and each player had scored three of the Cardinal 11 pointers. The Cardinal were in control in the first half of the game with a 39-30 half time lead. The Warriors came back and lead the second half 38-35 but it wasn’t enough for Merrimack for the loss.

In the first half Blakes was unstoppable in the he hit a key 3 pointer that gave Stanford the lead for the rest of the game and fired up the Cardinal to make a 26-7 run for a31-12 score against the Warriors. The three players who made the difference in scoring Sellers with 19 points followed by Raynaud and Blakes who finished with 16 points each.

Sharks fall to Jets 4-3 in Georgiev’s first start at home

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Alexandar Georgiev (40) skating through the shark head ahead of their matchup on Tuesday, December 17th 2024 against the Winnipeg Jets. (Via SanJoseSharks/X)

By Madison Montez

SAN JOSE- The San Jose Sharks faced off against the Winnipeg Jets for the second meeting this season. The first time was on October 18th in Winnipeg when the Sharks fell 8-3. Newly acquired forward Nikolai Kovalenko and goalie Alexandar Georgiov will be making their home debuts.

Winnipeg got on the board first at 1:52 with Kyle Connor scoring his 18th goal of the season assisted by Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi. Tyler Toffoli tied the game at 1-1 at 12:18 of the second period with Nikolai Kovalenko and Macklin Celebrini registering the assists. That was Kovalenko’s fifth point in just his fourth game with San Jose.

At 7:09, Shakir  Mukhamadullin took a hooking penalty against Adam Lowry. 20 seconds later, Mark Scheifele scored his 17th goal of the season to give the Jets a 2-1 lead. Coming into today, the Jets were first in the league on the powerplay with a 30.3%. “Their PowerPlay is the best PowerPlay in the league, um they’ve been together for a few years now and they make really good plays and they played a good game tonight”. Said Tyler Toffoli.

At 16:06, Macklin Celebrini drew a tripping call to put them on the powerplay. A minute and five seconds later, Celebrini scored his 11th goal of the season to tie the game again at second period. Jake Walman and Tyler Toffoli registering the assists.

At 4:44 of the third period, Fabian Zetterlund gave the Sharks their first lead of the game scoring his 11th goal of the season, assisted by Jake Walman. At 11:56, Kyle Connor scored his second of the night to tie the game at 3-3. With 2:30 left in the game, Adam Lowry scored his ninth goal of the season to secure the win for the Jets.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

  • 1. Kyle Connor
  • 2. Macklin Celebrini
  • 3. Mark Scheifele

“I think everyone’s frustrated by the result, I think we’ve made some strides from last game, I thought we played harder tonight.” said Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky. The Sharks will be back in action on Thursday hosting the Colorado Avalanche SAP Center in San Jose. Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood and defenseman Givani Smith will be making their first return back to San Jose since getting traded on December 9th.

Sac Kings wrap: Nuggets Jokic triple-double helps edge Kings 130-129

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Denver Nuggets center) Nikola Jokic (left) and Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (right) battle for the basketball first half action at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Dec 16, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Monday night in Sacramento. The Kings last played in New Orleans, where they defeated the Pelicans. On Monday, the Kings welcomed the Denver Nuggets to town.

The Nuggets entered the game 13-10 on the year and right in the middle of the pack in the standings. The Kings entered play on Monday with a 13-13 record and looking to get above .500. The Kings and Nuggets tipped off at 7 PM PST as the Kings fell to the Nuggets 130-129.

In the first quarter, the Kings got off to a rough start. The Nuggets were asserting themselves physically with the Kings early and exploiting bad defensive matchups. With 2:34 left in the quarter, the Kings would be down 32-13 and in desperate need of a spark.

It was one of the toughest quarters of the season for the Kings so far. In the quarter, the Kings only shot 9% from three and 36% overall. The Kings struggled mightily as they were outscored 41-21 in the first.

In the second quarter, the Kings competed hard to get back into the game. However, the defense continued to lack. The Nuggets would score 34 points in the second quarter to continue to put pressure on the Kings.

However, the Kings’ offense exploded for 46 points in the quarter to pull closer heading into halftime. The Kings would trail the Nuggets 75-68 heading into halftime. Domantas Sabonis led the Kings in the first half with 15 points. Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets with 16 first-half points.

In the third quarter, the Kings picked up right where they left off in the first half. The Kings’ shooting was much improved as they scored 35 points in the third. On the other hand, the Nuggets only managed to score 21 points as the shooting dried up for them. After three quarters, the Kings would lead the Nuggets 103-96.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings just couldn’t seal the deal. The Kings battled, but ultimately, they couldn’t make any shots on the final few possessions, and they lost the game 130-129. The Kings were outscored in the fourth quarter 34-26.

The Nuggets were able to hit the big shots they needed down the stretch to erase the Kings’ eight-point lead with roughly 4:00 minutes to play. The Kings’ best performance came from De’Aaron Fox, who finished the game with 29 points.

Jamal Murray led the Nuggets in victory with 28 points on the night. It was a disappointing loss for the Kings as they tried to win their fourth game in a row. However, they will have a chance to get back on track on Thursday.

Postgame, Malik Monk talked about how the Kings needed to come with intensity and attention to detail right from the start of the game. Monk said, “That’s a hard question. It’s just on us really, just being locked in from the get-go. Can’t really say what we can do better. We just got to be locked in from the jump ball on those things,” he said. “Like boxing out, getting on the floor for loose balls. Getting rebounds, second-chance points, not fouling and things like that. We just got to be on our toes from the get-go instead of letting them put us on our toes.”

Up Next: The Kings will stay home to take on LeBron James and the LA Lakers at 7 PM on Thursday.

G League: Jones and Dexter lead Kings with 20 pts each in 117-104 win over Valley Suns

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Scoreboard says it all Stockton Kings get a win over the Valley Suns at Adventist Health Arena in Stockton on Mon Dec 16, 2024 (Stockton Kings X photo)

By William Espy

STOCKTON–The Stockton Kings hosted the top team in the West, the Valley Suns, in the second half of a back-to-back on Monday night.

The Kings pulled out to an early 12-3 lead, forcing the Suns to take a timeout. Stockton dominated the first quarter overall, extending that lead to 42-16 after 12 minutes as they shot 66.7% from the field in the opening frame.

It was clear right out of the gate that the Kings wanted to avenge their first loss at Adventist Health Arena of the season on Sunday, and the Suns weren’t able to contain them.

The second quarter was a much different story though, as the Suns charged back a bit. By the end of the quarter, it was 70-52 in favor of Stockton, but the game was now well within reach for Valley. Mason Jones was having himself a game, as at halftime he already had 20 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds for Stockton. The Suns’ leading scorer so far this season Mamadi Diakite was up to his usual tricks, shooting 5-6 for 12 points.

The Suns cut the Kings’ lead even further in the third quarter, and heading into the final frame it was just a five-point game with either team within reach of a victory. The Kings had a tremendous start, but as has been the case many times this season, they struggled to maintain their lead and the opposition fought their way back into it.

The Kings were still converting shots at a high rate, although it wasn’t quite as high as it was after the first quarter. Heading into the fourth, they were shooting just over 55% from the field and nearly 41% from behind the arc. Stockton was also out-rebounding the Suns, leading that category by a staggering amount. The board battle was 42-27 in the Kings’ favor.

The Kings extended their lead to double-digits over the course of the quarter, but the Suns battled back and tried to keep it close. It took until the final minute of the game for the Suns to bring the Kings’ lead back down to single digits, but by then it was too little, too late. The Kings walked away with a crucial 117-104 victory over a very difficult opponent. The win was led by Jones and Dexter Dennis who both scored 20+ points. Drew Timme and Isaiah Crawford also had strong performances, finishing with 18 point a piece.

After the game, Jones spoke about the victory. “We knew we needed to get off to a hot start, and that’s what we did. We knew that if we came out ready and prepared, we knew we’d win, so that’s what we wanted to do.” He then spoke about his personal performance, “[It] just feels good. Just continues to show the hard work and dedication that I continue to put in. Just knowing the team counts on me a lot and I don’t want to let them down, so I just want to take it day by day and continue to get better. I don’t like to lose, so every day I feel like if I give my best, we got a great chance to win.”