Tag: ACC

Cal Bears podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Cal pays visit to Florida State against struggling Seminoles

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Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) hands off to running back Jaivian Thomas (25) in the first half against the San Diego Aztecs at Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Wed Sep 18, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Stephen:

#1 Cal makes his first visit to Florida State in their first ACC game at Florida State. The Seminoles have lost their last three games while Cal has won their last three games. It is the first meeting between the two teams in history.

#2 This will be Cal’s first visit to Florida since playing Clemson on New Years 1992 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando on Jan 1, 1992. The last regular season game in Florida for Cal was in Miami on Sep 16, 1989.

#3 Cal is playing in the eastern time zone for the third time in seven seasons under coach Justin Wilcox it was in his coaching debut against North Carolina in 2017 and Notre Dame in 2022.

#4 Florida State has lost it’s last three games most recently last Saturday to Memphis State 20-12. The Seminoles have not executed the offensive plan against Memphis State on their own home field.

#5 Cal on a three game win streak won last Saturday handled San Diego State 31-10 a game you saw at Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkley. Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw for 198 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

Join Stephen Ruderman for Cal Bears podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal’s defense shines, as Bears pull off big early-season win at Auburn 21-14

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Cal Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) throws over the Auburn Tigers defense in the first half at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn Alabama on Sat Sep 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024

Jordan-Hare Stadium

Auburn, Alabama

California Golden Bears 21 (2-0)

Auburn Tigers 14 (1-1)

Time: 3:25

Attendance: 88,043

By Stephen Ruderman

Cal’s defense shined with four interceptions, and the Bears pulled off a big 21-14 win over the Auburn Tigers in the second week of the season Saturday.

The Bears hit the road for the first time this season following their season-opening 31-13 win over the UC Davis Aggies at Memorial Stadium last weekend. With the Bears now in the Atlantic Coast Conference, despite playing mere miles from the Pacific Coast, they will have to travel over 21,000 miles this season.

The first trip the Bears would make was to Auburn, Alabama to play the Alabama Tigers of the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers beat the Bears 14-10 when they came into Memorial Stadium last year, and the two teams would square off a year later in front of the rabid Auburn fan base at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Cal won the coin toss, but they decided to kick and defer to the second half. Auburn began their first drive at their 25 yard line, and it did not appear to be going anywhere, as they only gained a yard to get it to 3rd and 9.

However, Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne threw a complete pass to Revaldo Fairweather for a gain of 16 yards and a first down. Two plays later on 2nd and 8, Thorne threw a long 41-yard pass to Cam Coleman to get the ball to the Cal 15. Another two plays later, Thorne connected to KeAndre Lambert-Smith for a touchdown to put Auburn on the board.

Towns McGough kicked the extra point for Auburn, and Cal began their first drive. Cal made more gradual gains than Auburn made. Like Auburn, Cal would get a touchdown on the sixth play of the drive, as quarterback Fernando Mendoza completed a 19-yard pass to Nyziah Hunter to put the Bears on the board. Pat Ryan then kicked the extra point to tie it.

There was no more scoring the rest of the first quarter. The Bears’ first drive of the second quarter came up short, as Ryan missed a 25-yard field goal attempt. However, the Tigers’ first drive of the second quarter ended on the very first play, as a pass from Thorne intended for Coleman was intercepted by Nohl Williams, who ran it to the Auburn 21.

That put the Bears in perfect position. Jaydn Ott rushed for eight yards on the two plays to get it to the 13. On 3rd and 2, Mendoza completed to Hunter, and the Bears took the lead. Ryan kicked the extra point, and Cal was up 14-7.

The closest anyone would come to scoring the rest of the first half was when McGough tried to kick a 61-yard field goal for Auburn with two seconds to go and came up well short.

The Bears carried the 14-7 lead into the second half, but there would not be any real action at all in the third quarter. Neither team would even set foot in enemy territory the entire quarter.

Hunter fumbled the ball on the second play of Auburn’s first drive in the fourth quarter, and the ball was recovered by Craig Woodson of the Bears at the Auburn 36. On 2nd and 4, Jaivian Thomas rushed to the right for 32 yards for a touchdown. After the extra point from Ryan, Cal had opened up a 21-7 lead with 11:27 to go.

Auburn got the ball to the Cal two with 7:35 to go. The Tigers were set back five yards after a false start by Tigers’ center Connor Lew. However, Payton Thorne would eventually run to the right for a touchdown with 6:06 to go, and after the extra point, it was 21-14.

Auburn’s next two drives would both be cut short by interceptions, and the Bears held on to win for a big early-season win.

Cal is off to a 2-0 start, and they will return home to play the San Diego State Aztecs next Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Coach Taylor says adapt to ACC or you won’t be relevant

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Stanford Cardinal head coach Troy Taylor disputes a play with an official against the USC Trojans on Sat Sep 9, 2023. Coach Taylor is getting the Cardinal ready for the adjustment to the ACC for the 2024 season. (AP News file photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Stanford Cardinal head coach Troy Taylor said they need to adapt to the ACC or the Cardinal won’t be relevant. The first game is not until Aug 30th against TCU so that gives them some time to psych themselves up for the change.

#2 At the time of learning about the break up of the Pac 12 a long storied league and how it’s history and what it once was is now gone.

#3 After the breakup of the Pac 12 the ACC was a landing spot for the Cardinal along with Big Game rival the Cal Bears. That was a important part of this change keeping them in the same division.

#4 Coach Taylor said any conference would love to have the Cardinal, that long history, the tradition, playing at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto.

#5 Coach Taylor said that the Cardinal had a successful program ten years ago. Taylor added the Cardinal need to build their program because the Cardinal will be in another position to be realigned again and having a strong program is important to attract other conferences when that time comes.

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

Stanford Cardinal football podcast with Michael Roberson: Can Daniels and Ayomanor make the difference on offense this season?

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Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels (14) passes against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

On Stanford Cardinal football podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 The Stanford Cardinal were 3-9 last season the were tied with Arizona State for last place in the Pac 12.

#2 Now that the Cardinal are in the ACC where do you think they’ll be ranked going into the 2024 season?

#3 In poll of 170 members of the media for ACC.com the Florida State University (FSU) were predicted to win it all and for Stanford they were predicted to finish last in the poll.

#4 Stanford will need some growth at quarterback Junior Ashton Daniels started ten times last season he threw for 2247 yards, 11 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, can Daniels have a break through in the ACC and raise Stanford’s position in the rankings. He certainly will need to come out with a strong offense and beat some challenging ACC teams?

#5 Maxwell Award candidate from last season wide receiver WR Elic Ayomanor is someone that Daniels will be looking to throw to. With Ayomanor’s credentials and with last year’s experience Daniels and Ayomanor could be not only an exciting one two combination but excite the ACC if they can turn it around from last season?

Michael Roberson covers Stanford Cardinal football for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal basketball podcast with Michael Roberson: VanDerveer says moving to ACC was not reason for retirement

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Stanford Cardinal head coach Tara VanDerveer seen here celebrating with her players her 1202 career victory becoming the winningest head coach in NCAA history on Fri Jan 19, 2024 at Maple Pavilion in Palo Alto. VanDerveer met with the media on Wed Apr10, 2024 at Maples Pavilion to announce her retirement. (AP News file photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael R:

#1 Michael, One of the things that Stanford Cardinal head coach Tara VanDerveer pointed out at her last press last Wednesday was she was not retiring because the ACC. Matter of face VanDerveer said that was a motivating factor for her to stay if anything.

#2 The Cardinal are going through big changes from the end of the Pac 12, to the portal transfers, and losing graduating stars Cameron Brink and Hannah Jump and of course dealing with NIL that has taken over the sport.

#3 VanDerveer mentioned that the changes that have arrived has been exhausting for her and it’s become more of a 24 hour job rather than before you would show up in the morning practice and on game days practice and get ready for the game. Now it’s that and constantly off floor basketball decisions but still that wasn’t the reason why she was retiring.

#4 VanDerveer revealed that her real reason for retirement was her mom at 96 years old is someone that she wanted to spend time with, being with her dogs and going water skiing. After awhile VanDerveer realizes as she says “this is not a dress rehearsal, this is your real life” VanDerveer is now 70 years old.

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

Cal takes down North Texas 58-21 in Denton, TX

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Photo credit: @CalFootball

By: Mary Anne

The California Golden Bears started the 2023 NCAA football season against the North Texas Mean Green. Cal defeated North Texas 58-21 at DATCU Stadium and did the Texas two-step. Cal improved to 1-0, while North Texas fell to 0-1.

The Golden Bears were ready to roll in their week one uniforms and got on the board first. Jeremiah Hunter caught a 23-yard pass from Sam Jackson V for the game’s first touchdown. Michael Luckhurtst kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead at 12:53.

The Mean Green tied the game a little under two minutes later. Ja’Mori Maclin caught a 3-yard pass from Stone Earle for the game-tying touchdown. Noah Rauschenberg kicked the extra point for a 7-7 tie at 11:04.

The Golden Bears responded late in the first quarter. Jaydn Ott rushed for a 4-yard touchdown. Michael Luckhurst kicked the extra point for a 14-7 lead with 1:04 left in the first.

The Golden Bears led 14-7 after the first quarter.

The Mean Green opened the second quarter with a scoring play. Ja’Mori Maclin caught a 59-yard pass from Stone Earle for the game-tying touchdown. Noah Rauschenberg kicked the extra point for a 14-14 tie at 14:33.

The Golden Bears regained the lead with back-to-back touchdowns. Isaiah Ifanse rushed for a 26-yard touchdown. Michael Luckhurst kicked the extra point to make it 21-14 with 7:30 left in the second quarter. Jaydn Ott rushed for a 66-yard touchdown. Luckhurst’s extra point kick failed, so the Golden Bears settled for a 27-14 lead with 5:42 left in the second.

The Mean Green made it a six-point game with under two minutes left in the second quarter. Xzavior Kautai caught a 12-yard pass from Stone Earle. Noah Rauschenberg kicked the extra point and cut the Golden Bears’ lead to 27-21 with 1:47 left in the second.

The Golden Bears had the last word of the second quarter. Isaiah Ifanse rushed for an 8-yard touchdown. Jaydn Ott tried the 2-point conversion, but it was no good, and Cal settled for a 33-21 lead with seven seconds left in the second.

The Golden Bears brought a 33-21 lead to the locker room at the half.

The Golden Bears continued to dominate offensively in the third quarter. Isaiah Ifanse rushed for a 1-yard touchdown. Jack Endries tried the 2-point conversion, which was good, and Cal took a 41-21 lead at 11:24. Taj Davis caught a 4-yard pass from Ben Finley for the touchdown. Michael Luckhurst kicked the extra point for a 48-21 lead with 8:02 left in the third.

The Golden Bears had a commanding 48-21 lead after three quarters.

The Golden Bears continued their offensive dominance in the fourth quarter. Ashton Stredick rushed for a 5-yard touchdown. Michael Luckhurst kicked the extra point for a 55-21 lead at 11:42. Luckhurst kicked a 52-yard field goal to make it 58-21 with 6:27 left in the fourth.

Notes
Cal will join the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in August 2024.

Cal had a good visit with Dallas Cowboys punter Bryan Anger on Friday. Anger will start his 12 NFL season next week. He played college football for Cal and was drafted 70th overall in the third round by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Up Next
Cal will return home to Memorial Stadium to host the Auburn Tigers on Saturday, September 9 at 7:30 p.m. Pacific.

Stanford defeats Hawaii 37-24 in Honolulu

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Photo credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images. Stanford running back E.J. Smith.

By: Mary Anne

The Stanford Cardinal said “Aloha” to the 2023 NCAA season with a game against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors under a new head coach, Troy Taylor, also known as Stanford’s 35th head coach in program history. Stanford defeated Hawaii 37-24 at the Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex on Friday night and said “Mahalo” for their first win of the season. Stanford’s now 1-0, while Hawaii’s now 0-2.

In the wake of the deadly Maui wildfires, Stanford wore Maui decals on their helmets for Friday’s game, and Hawaii initiated a Maui relief drive and collected non-perishable goods as part of a previously scheduled fan fest just days ago. A moment of silence was held to remember the Maui wildfire victims before kickoff.

After the opening kickoff, the Troy Taylor era was officially underway, and the Cardinal scored first. E.J. Smith rushed up the middle for a 1-yard gain for the rushing touchdown. Joshua Karty kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 7:25 left in the first quarter.

Just 49 seconds into the second quarter, Hawaii tied the game 7-7. Pofele Ashlock caught a 7-yard reception thrown by Brayden Schager for the passing touchdown. Matthew Shipley kicked the extra point for a 7-7 tie at 14:11.

The Cardinal responded a little over two minutes later. Benjamin Yurosek caught a 32-yard reception thrown by Ashton Daniels for the passing touchdown. Joshua Karty kicked the extra point for a 14-7 lead at 12:24.

The Cardinal extended their lead late in the second quarter. Bryce Farrell rushed for a 2-yard rushing touchdown. Joshua Karty kicked the extra point for a 21-7 lead with 4:25 left in the second.

Brayden Schager threw a 33-yard pass deep to the right to Karsyn Pupunu. The play was under review, and after further review, the ruling of a completed pass stood, and Hawaii’s 1st and 10 remained. Michael Shipley kicked a 32-yard field goal to cut the Cardinal’s lead to 21-10 at 0:00.

The Cardinal brought a 21-7 lead to the locker room at the end of the first half.

The Cardinal scored first to open the second half. Joshua Karty kicked a 25-yard field goal for a 24-10 lead at 11:07.

The Rainbow Warriors scored late in the third quarter. Steven McBride caught a 24-yard reception thrown by Brayden Schager for the passing touchdown. Rainbow Warriors head coach Timmy Chang attempted a two-point conversion, but it was no good. Hawaii cut Stanford’s lead to 27-16 at 14:52.

The Cardinal extended their lead midway through the fourth quarter. Joshua Karty kicked a 46-yard field goal for a 30-16 lead with 9:15 left in the fourth.

The Cardinal expanded their lead late in the fourth quarter. John Humphreys caught a 13-yard reception thrown by Ashton Daniels for the passing touchdown. Joshua Karty kicked the extra point for a 37-16 lead with 5:30 left in the fourth.

The Rainbow Warriors scored with a little over a minute left in the fourth quarter. Pofele Ashlock caught a 16-yard reception thrown by Brayden Schager for the passing touchdown. Dalen Morris rushed the football for a successful 2-point conversion and cut the Cardinal’s lead 37-24 with 1:08 left in the fourth, but it was too little, too late.

Notes
Stanford accepted an invitation to join the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in August 2024.

Up Next
Stanford will take on the No. 6 USC Trojans on Saturday, September 9, at 7:30 p.m. Pacific.

Pac 12 podcast with Michael Roberson: Shooting on UNC campus delays Cal-Stanford vote into the ACC

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Law enforcement and first responders gather on South Street near the Bell Tower on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus in Chapel Hill, N.C., Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, after a report of an “armed and dangerous person” on campus. (AP News photo)

On Pac 12 the podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Michael, Cal, Stanford and SMU were close to getting that invite to the ACC but the vote was postponed last Monday due to a shooting on the UNC campus?

#2 There have been ACC teams that have complained about their TV deal which runs through the 2036 season ACC school is out $30 million less per year then the SEC and Big Ten.

#3 Do you see Cal and Stanford going into the ACC as a boost to the ACC’s TV package? Nothing like adding the fifth largest TV market to your repertoire?

#4 The Bears and the Cardinal are want the same revenue share, Stanford has a strong financial backing and Cal doesn’t have the same financial backing like a Stanford taking that in consideration would the ACC still add Cal to the conference?

#5 What about the non revenue sports do you see them being included in the ACC with football and basketball?

Join Michael Roberson for the Pac 12 podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Bruce Magowan: 49ers Lance needs more chances; Which Giants team will show up; plus more news

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) throws under pressure from Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jordan Willis (99) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Bruce:

#1 Bruce, what is your take away regarding all the criticism that 49ers quarterback Trey Lance had been receiving about his performance last Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.

#2 Which Giant team will show up, the Giants before last night who lost 10-2 on Monday night or the Giants of last night who got some hitting and used four pitchers to get a 7-0 shutout of the Tampa Bay Rays.

#3 Bruce what do you make of the possibilities of the Baltimore Orioles relocating. It sounds preposterous but Orioles managing partner John Angelos said recently that the Orioles would never leave Baltimore but Orioles are looking for prime downtown property and although they would get $600 million for Camden Yards improvements Angelos whose wife owns a music entertainment company in Nashville makes the idea of moving all the more interesting.

#4 Bruce the Pac 12 reportedly will incur 11 teams from the ACC. It was first mentioned the four remaining Pac 12 teams Cal, Stanford, Washington State, and Oregon State would join the ACC but that has been reversed with the ACC planning to not charge 11 schools exit fees and move to the Pac 12.

Join Bruce Magowan for Headline Sports at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Pac 12 podcast with Michael Wagaman: Cal and Stanford to leave Pac 12 looking at ACC

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California head coach Justin Wilcox encourages his players during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game on Oct. 15, 2021, in Eugene, Ore. Wilcox said Mon Aug 7, 2023 that the breakup of the Pac 12 is sad and disappointing and is contemplating the future of Cal football. (AP file photo)

On the Pac 12 podcast with Michael:

At some point it became very clear to everyone it wasn’t every man for himself but it was it was every school for itself. Once every other schools starting leaving the Pac 12 you can’t blame Cal and Stanford for leaving.

The plan isn’t to rebuild the Pac 12 there wasn’t another school to say “hey were here to replace the school that just left” that wasn’t going to happen and the media money that was going to be part of where they were going to go the Pac 12 had to get something done quickly.

So it’s not surprising that they’ve taken this move as I said as a longtime west coast guy of the Pac 10 that was my heart and soul growing up. It kills me because this is part of tradition not just for the schools but for the communities, Berkeley, Palo Alto, this is a long history of their players in and out of town.

Michael Wagaman does the Pac 12 podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com