Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal needs to tighten up on turnovers; Bears rank 16th in six turnover categories

Cal Bears wide receiver Mikey Matthews (8) and wide receiver Nyziah Hunter (13) celebrate at Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkeley against the Oregon State Beavers on Sat Oct 26, 2024 (Cal Bears X photo)

On Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 After Cal Bears (4-4) had lost four straight and crushed the Oregon State Beavers (4-4) last Saturday there is little doubt that Cal head coach Justin Wilcox had this team prepared and turned around and it was a weight off their back to get back in the win column.

#2 Cal has outscored opponents 212-138 in it’s four wins that averages out to 20.75. In contrast in their four loses Cal have averaged to 2.25 points.

#3 Not a good category for Cal they are number 16 in six statistical categories in turnovers, Cal is second in turnover margin (+1.63 per game), tied for third in interceptions (14), tied for fourth in fewest passes intercepted (3), tied for fifth in turnovers lost (5), tied for sixth in turnovers gained (18) and tied for 16th in fumbles lost (2).

#4 Morris, Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza is coming off throwing 27-36, for 364 yards, and two touchdowns against Oregon State last week. Will this be something that could carry over for Mendoza in terms confidence and piling up the throwing yards against Wake Forest for Friday night?

#5 There have been surprising results in the ACC and how do you see the Championship chase nationally.

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

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

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

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal’s effort was there but Trojans pull away for win 66-51; Bears remain winless at 0-8

Lars Thiemann Cal Bears center (21) gets the finger roll going against the USC Trojans at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Wed Nov 30, 2022 (CalMBBall photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 First half action it was probably the most thrilling the Cal Bears have put out on their home floor for awhile although not catching the intermission lead they cut the USC Trojan’s 12 point lead three times and came away with a five point half time lead 27-20.

#2 Morris, I know you said the Cal offense was just not quick enough during this seven game skid did you see anything in this contest that they have improved on trying to move the offense quicker certainly the Trojans are a challenge in the Bears season opening Pac 12 game.

#3 The Bears Devon Askew was fired up each time he had an opportunity to take the lane and drive he led Cal tonight in scoring.

#4 One thing you saw from Cal was they did not let up on USC in either the first or second half each player seemed like when they got the ball they were battling to get a decent pass or a decent shot off.

#5 Cal has a real challenge for their next game in Arizona against the undefeated Wildcats on Sunday at 2:00pm can they hand the Wildcats their first loss this season at the McKale Center in Tucson?

Join Morris for the Cal Bears podcasts Mondays and following Cal Bears home games at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears football podcast with Morris Phillips: In order to beat Stanford, Cal needs to drum up some offense; Big Game this Saturday on tap at Cal

Cal Bears quarterback Jack Plummer looks for an intended receiver against the Oregon State Beavers at Corvallis on Sat Nov 12, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 A 38-10 Cal Bears (3-7) loss at Oregon State (7-3) on Saturday was the team’s sixth in a row dating back to September 24 when the Bears improved to 3-1 by blowing out Arizona.

#2 The five losses that followed were competitive at some point during the four quarters. That wasn’t the case against the Beavers on a cold, misty night in Corvallis.

#3 Cal trailed at the half 21-7 after their offense hit a new low with just 53 yards of total offense before the break. The visitors fell in a deeper hole when Oregon State scored on their first two possessions in the third quarter to lead 31-7.

#4 “We haven’t played up to the standard that we’ve set as a team,” coach Justin Wilcox said. “We haven’t coached well enough, we haven’t played well enough. It is totally unacceptable.”

#5 Stanford and Cal match up for the Big Game this Sat at Cal Berkeley a 2:30pm kick off who’ll get the Ax this season?

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

Cal Bears football podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal hopes to rebound from USC loss head to Washington State for Saturday kickoff

California’s Jeremiah Hunter makes a reception against Southern California defensive back Ceyair Wright at USC in second half action in Los Angeles on Sat Nov 5, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears football podcast:

#1 Lots of scoring by the Cal Bears (3-6) against the USC Trojans (8-1) as the Trojans gave up four touchdowns in the second half where Cal almost caught up with the Trojans at the end of the contest last Saturday.

#2 For the Bears they pulled off 28 points for 290 yards in second half action. Cal quarterback Jack Plummer going 35-49, for 406 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

#3 Morris, in spite of the rough second half USC quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 360 yards, had one keeper, threw to receiver Michael Jackson for two touchdowns out his four touchdown passes.

#4 Morris it was close down the stretch as the Bears Jaydn Ott carried for his second touchdown with 2:31 left in the game and a two point conversion made got the Bears within a touchdown but time just ran out in the 41-35 USC win.

#5 Cal gets ready this Saturday for a trip to Oregon State (6-3) the Cougars have won three of their last four games. They were on a three game win streak until they dropped last Saturday’s game to the Washington Huskies 24-21. Morris how do you see Cal and Oregon State matching up this Saturday.

Join Morris for Cal football podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal opens regular season against UC Davis tonight in Berkeley

Cal Bears head coach Mark Fox gives instructions in front of the Cal bench in a contest against the Arizona Wildcats back on Mar 5, 2022. The Bears have now with Fox as head coach have had three straight losing seasons and five straight overall. (AP News file photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 Cal got their first taste of action on Wednesday against Chico State in exhibition play. In watching that pre season game can you get a sense, an idea that some of the players are ready for tonight’s opener?

#2 You have to go back to 2019-20 Cal head coach Mark Fox’s first season was the last time the Bears faced the UC Davis Aggies for a 72-66 on Nov 26, 2019 and here is coach Fox again ready to face the Aggies on opening night.

#3 Cal took a look at some 11 players Wednesday night and rotating 11 players the way coach Fox did gives him that advantage to see what some of these players can do but one game doesn’t really tell the whole story. Is it something that Fox has to conclude with a one game snap shot or through practices as well he can get an idea where he’s going?

#4 Since 1917-18 season the Cal Bears have had meetings with the UC Davis basketball team 33 in all and Cal has won everyone of those games since that time. Of that time Cal had 19 coaches since. In the 21st century Cal has seen the Aggies only three times here in the 21st century.

#5 Morris, it’s opening night it’s a special night for alumni, students, players, coaches, and front office people after the pre game festivities the Cal basketball program is a program that everyone on the Cal Berkeley campus are hoping that can turn around from last year’s season.

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

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal opens basketball program against Chico State in exhibition play

Cal’s Devin Askew (55) and Joel Brown (1) shake hands as the Cal Bears defeat the Chico State Wildcats in pre season play on Wed Nov 2, 2022 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley (@CalBasketball photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1Morris, this is Cal’s only pre season game before they start the regular season against Chico State. What are some of the things that Cal head coach Mark Fox is looking for this upcoming season.

#2 Cal had three inactive players against Chico State #3 James Hyder, #10 Josh Ragsdale, and #32 Jalen Celestine.

#3 Cal’s 15 man roster has four scholarship transfers Devin Askew and DeJuan Clayton both freshman and Grant Newell and ND Okafor.

#4 For of Cal’s first six regular season games are home at Haas Pavillion are back to back games against UC Davis and Kansas State to open up next season.

#5 Cal basketball struggled last season can this team get ready for Pac 12 Conference play and be competitive?

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

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Can Cal figure out USC’s high flying offense this Saturday?

Jack Plummer quarterback of the Cal Bears fires a pass against the Oregon Ducks defense on Sat Oct 29, 2022 at Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkeley (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 The Oregon Ducks (7-1) were like a kettle full of hot water slow to boil but once they hit a certain temperature it was started to be a big concern for Cal Bears (3-5) head coach Justin Wilcox and the Bears defense after holding a brief 10-0 lead before the second quarter Ducks explosion.

#2 The Ducks were looking end zone in the second quarter and their quarterback Bo Nix carried for three times to put touchdown scores on his game stats that would have the Ducks never looking back for the rest of the game.

#3 Morris talk about what coach Wilcox said after the game of his team’s performance, “There’s some things that happened at the end of the first half and start of the second that if we would have performed a bit better, then we could have made that game very competitive,”

#4 The Bears were able to stop the Ducks offense early it was the first time in six games that the Ducks went scoreless in a first quarter which spoke to the potential of Cal’s defense.

#5 The Bears now face the USC Trojans (7-1) it will be Cal’s second consecutive week in a row facing a ranked school. The Trojans are coming off a win against the Arizona Wildcats (3-5) 45-37. How can Cal stop the USC’s high flying offense this coming Saturday?

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

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Just wasn’t meant to be for Cal; Loss comes down to tipped ball

Notre Dame safety Brandon Joseph (16) and Cal Bears wide receiver Mavin Anderson (11) jump for the ball as the ball was tipped and bounced off several players in the last second of the game at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend on Sat Sep 17, 2022 (AP News photo)

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 Drew Pyne quarterback of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-2) made inroads in his first game under center for the Irish. Pyne threw for 150 yards and two touchdowns in the Notre Dame 24-17 win in South Bend Indiana over the Cal Bears (2-1).

#2 Morris the win was also pretty special for Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman it was his first victory as head coach for Notre Dame.

#3 The Irish came in ranked No.5 to start the season and had to comeback from behind three times to beat the Bears by a touchdown.

#4 Morris, tough finish for the Bears missed a last second shot when Cal quarterback Jack Plummer let one loose in the end zone as the ball bounced several players and receiver Jeremiah Hunter had it in his hands but the ball ended up off his hands and on the end zone grass.

#5 The Arizona Wildcats (2-1) will be playing the Bears next Sat Sep 24th at Cal Memorial. The Wildcats are coming off a 31-28 win against the North Dakota State Bison (2-1). Wildcats quarterback Jayden de Laura threw for 229 yards and one touchdown. Morris how do you see the Wildcats and Bears matching up this coming Saturday?

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

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Can Cal handle Notre Dame in first road game of the season

The Cal Bears Jaydn Ott takes a dive into the end zone for six points against the UNLV Running Rebels on Sat Sep 10, 2022 at Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkeley (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris, the Cal Bears scored twice on the UNLV Running Rebels 14-0 at Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Saturday doing most of the damage in the first quarter.

#2 Talk about running back Jaydn Ott’s touchdowns scoring one on the ground and one from a pass know what he can do what impact will he have on the Cal offense.

#3 Morris, talk about the Cal defense with three fourth quarter stops that didn’t allow UNLV to score in second half.

#4 Talk about Jack Plummer’s afternoon throwing 278 yards going 28-39, one touchdown and one interception.

#5 Cal heads to Notre Dame and the Fighting Irish who have lost two of their first two games and will be battling Cal who is 2-0. Can Plummer handle the Notre Dame pass rush and how do you see the Cal offensive game for this one next Saturday.

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