Tag: California Golden Bears

UCLA, Thompson-Robinson Run Cal Ragged: Bears lose to the Bruins, 35-28 in the season finale

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA– Turnovers, and a porous run defense spelled doom in Cal’s season finale against UCLA.

And in there, engaged to the end, trying to navigate the hosts through a portal to overcome a late deficit was Joe Starkey, on his final call as the voice of Golden Bears football.

All for naught, and on this rare Friday afternoon of football, not a bonanza.

The Bears embraced their opportunity to soften a rough season with consecutive wins at its conclusion but couldn’t seal the deal. Cal led 21-10 before halftime and regained a 28-27 lead with 11:16 remaining. But UCLA’s 352 yards rushing on a relentless 64 attempts simply wore Cal down.

“It was a heartbreaking loss. We had plenty of opportunities,” coach Justin Wilcox said.

After both aforementioned leads, UCLA simply looked to senior quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson along with their run game to get back into the game and got quick results.

With just 58 seconds to work with before halftime, Thompson-Robinson led the Bruins on a five-play touchdown drive to get within 21-17. The fifth-year senior handled the final 19 yards on an aborted pass play that ended with him motoring to the end zone.

Trailing by one in the fourth quarter, the Bruins needed ten plays to take the lead for good, with half of the plays either a Thompson-Robinson run or completed pass. The ensuing two-point conversion–a Thompson-Robinson pass to Jake Bobo–gave the Bruins a 35-28 lead with 7:53 remaining.

“We were a little frustrated, a little teed off. We’re a lot better football team than that,” Thompson-Robinson said of the two deficits the visitors faced. “But again, the resiliency and ability to fix those things. We’ve got a bunch of smart football players out on that field.”

The Bears saw success throwing on the Bruins along the boundaries to their productive receivers, Jeremiah Hunter and J. Michael Sturdivant. Hunter had a big afternoon with eight catches, 153 yards, and two scores. Conversely, Cal couldn’t sustain its success passing with a subpar 3 of 10 on third down conversions.

“We knew it was a game of third downs, then taking some shots,” Wilcox said in commending his interim play calling team that directed the offense to a 361-yard output.

The Bruins dwarfed that with their 541-yard total and a significant edge in time of possession. If nothing else, that differential paved the way for a very, tired final seven minutes for the Bears in which they failed to threaten UCLA’s lead. When Cal regained possession with two minutes left, they ran just four plays and saw freshman Jaydn Ott fumble after gaining enough yardage for a first down.

The Bruins recovered and ran out the clock, forcing the Bears to exhaust their remaining two timeouts.

Cal finished 4-8 with just two Pac-12 victories in nine opportunities. That means changes are inevitable beyond those made during the season as Wilcox tried everything to pump up his lackluster offense without success.

“You’ve got to look at the positives,” senior safety Daniel Scott said. “We played a lot of close games. It’s just the small details that cost us some games.”

Jack Plummer’s decision to return or not will likely be the first of numerous ones that will hopefully result in the program getting back on track. If Plummer does return, he’ll be challenged by sophomore quarterback Kai Millner.

Starkey concluded a stellar, 48-year run as the radio voice of Cal football that began in 1975. For years, Starkey assumed the arduous task of broadcasting Cal and 49ers football each weekend, which finally took its toll. Still, the versatile broadcaster kept both teams going, as he was at the mike for all five 49ers’ Super Bowl victories.

“Very emotional. I’ve been there for a very long time,” Starkey, 81, said after leaving the microphone for the last time. “We’ve gone to some wonderful places. I’ve done college games, for God’s sake, for Cal in Tokyo and Australia. What a way to spend a life.”

Cal Bears football podcast with Michael Duca: Cal hosts UCLA Friday in 2022 season finale

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Cal Bears Jadyn Ott takes flight over the Stanford Cardinal defense on Sat Nov 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley at the Big Game (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears football podcast:

#1 Michael, this Friday is Cal’s last regular season game of 2022 they had a six game losing streak going into last Saturday’s Big Game but on the Anniversary of the Big Play Cal did the 1982 team proud scoring twice on fumbles to come back and win it 27-20.

#2 Michael it didn’t look good for Cal after the third quarter down 17-6, then at 11:18 left in the game in the fourth quarter Cal got a on the scoreboard on a quarterback Jack Plummer one yard pass to Monroe Young for six and it was 17-12. Failed on the two point conversion.

#3 With 9:54 left in the game the Bears Jackson Sirmon returned a 37 yard fumble on a scoop and score and a two point conversion to follow put the Bears in front for the first time 20-17.

#4 Jadyn Ott with 58 seconds left in the game carried for on yard to make it 27-17 and Cal would end up winning the Big Game and the Axe with a 27-20 win

#5 Cal concludes the season against the UCLA Bruins this Friday at 1:30pm. The Bruins come in 8-3 and have won five of their last seven games. Could the Bears pull out another rabbit out of the hat against the Bruins.

Michael Duca did the Cal Bears football podcasts for the 2022 season and will rejoin us next Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com for Cal Men’s basketball podcast

0-5 For The First Time: Bears suffer unprecedented 59-55 loss to Texas State

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–This is the low point for California basketball. They can only go up from here.

Or can they?

The Bears suffered a fifth straight loss to start the season at Haas Pavilion on Monday against a smaller opponent from a lesser conference. It’s a reoccurring theme for sure, one the Bears can’t seem to escape.

This is the first time in the history of the program–115 years and counting–that the Bears have been 0-5.

Texas State blew in to Berkeley on Monday, frustrated the they couldn’t close the deal at UT-San Antonio on Thursday, when they were logically unable to make their meager 56 points stand up on the road.

The answer? Stop through Berkeley on the way to Hawaii for Thanksgiving and do a just a little more than they did at UTSA.

Guess what? That strategy worked.

Cal committed 16 turnovers and the Bobcats from the Southland Conference took a 23-22 lead four minutes before halftime and never relinquished it in their 59-55 win.

Again, the hosts didn’t execute anything with force, and went the final five minutes before halftime with scoring. Coach Mark Fox cited his limited options at both guard spots and last minute role changes that left his team less than prepared.

“We’re so disjointed with the lineups we’ve been forced to play,” Fox said.

Once again, only two, traditional guards played for Cal as Devin Askew led the Bears with 17 points, but missed 10 of his 15 shots, and Joel Brown went scoreless off the bench with five turnovers.

Overall, the hosts weren’t a mess statistically, but their deliberate pace produced 55 points, which is more often than not just enough to get you beat at the Division I level. After leading for much of the first half the Bears trailed by as many as 11 points after the break.

Senior guard, and two-time, All-Conference selection Mason Harrell led Texas State with 21 points and all the heady plays down the stretch as Cal got within two points of the lead with 26 seconds remaining.

Brandon Davis added 14 for the Bobcats.

“It’s how you respond, I’m so proud of all those guys in the locker room. They truly responded.” associate head coach Benny Seltzer said.

The win was the first for Texas State over a Power 5 school since 1998, and their first ever over a Pac-12 opponent. Earlier this season, the Bobcats also won at Rhode Island.

The Bears travel to Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday where they will face TCU on Friday, and either Iowa or Clemson on Saturday.

Cal Bears football podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal makes the anniversary of the play proud with a comeback of their own

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California linebacker Jackson Sirmon (8) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown on a recovery of a Stanford fumble on Sat Nov 19, 2022 (AP News photo)

On Cal Bears Football podcast with Morris;

#1 The Cal Bears (4-7) trailed for a majority of this game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley but held onto win it as the Bears Jackson Sirmon took advantage of a fumble and returned it for a 37 yard touchdown for a Cal 27-20 win at the Big Game.

#2 The Sirmon touchdown came after the Stanford Cardinal (3-8) fumbled two balls away after leading through three quarters 17-6. Cal started chipping away at the Stanford defense with Jack Plummer throwing to Monroe Young for a one yard touchdown to close the gap 17-12 at 11:18 left in the game.

#3 Jackson Simon scored at the goal line for Cal on a fumble recovery with 9:54 left in the game and a Jadyn Ott caught the two point conversion got Cal in front 20-17.

#4 Three plays in the next offensive series for the Bears Ott capitalized again carrying for a one yard score to put Cal on top for good with a ten point lead 27-17 with 0:58 left. Stanford Joshua Karty hit a 61 yard field goal for the Cardinal’s last score in a 27-20 final.

#5 Cal hosts the UCLA Bruins (8-3) Fri Nov 25th at 1:30pm at UC Berkeley. The Bruins have lost two games in a row and lost their last game to the USC Trojans (10-1) 48-45.

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

Big Game Bounce: Sirmon’s scoop and score propels Cal past Stanford, 27-20

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Midway through the fourth quarter of the 125th Big Game, Jackson Sirmon was just another guy on either team eager to change the narrative of a dismal season, willing to do anything possible to avoid another loss.

One play later, Sirmon was a hero, forever immortalized in the rich history of the series between Stanford and Cal.

When the football inexplicably starts exchanging hands at Memorial Stadium, grab it. Just like “The Play” 40 years ago, the intertwined memories last forever.

“I was in the right place at the right time,” Sirmon said. “All I did that play is I didn’t mess it up. The ball came right to me and I ran with it.”

Sirmon’s scoop and score–after Stanford backup quarterback Ashton Daniels then Cal’s Jeremiah Earby both fumbled on the play–gave Cal its first lead of the evening, 20-17. Prior to Sirmon’s miracle play, the Bears’ defense was confounded, trailing 17-12 and likely facing some tough questions regarding Stanford’s fast start that saw them lead 10-3 after the game’s initial possessions in the first quarter.

Both Bay Area rivals came into Saturday’s showdown saddled with a second straight losing season dragged down by a bunch of injuries, and the inability to muster much offense at all.

Stanford hadn’t scored more than 16 points in any of its previous, five games, and Cal hadn’t won a game since September 24. In front of sellout crowd, and on the 40th anniversary of Cal’s miracle, 25-20 win in 1982, something had to give.

Cal trailed 17-6 to start the fourth quarter, and they didn’t exactly jump into the driver’s seat when Jack Plummer connected with Monroe Young for Cal’s first touchdown (on their 10th offensive possession) with 11:18 remaining in the game. The ensuing two-point conversion failed, and the Bears–trailing by five–were needing the unlikely combination of a second, go-ahead touchdown along with shutting down the Cardinal for the remainder of the game.

But Stanford resorted to trickery, bringing in Daniels for a designed run that saw him stripped of the football by Daniel Scott when he approached the line and tried to bounce outside.

Earby recovered Daniels fumble, but was stripped by Daniels when the pair crossed paths. That’s when Sirmon rushed up, grabbed the ball seamlessly on a bounce and raced in from 38 yards out.

“As a defensive player, you don’t get a lot of opportunities to score touchdowns and you have to enjoy them when you get them,” Sirmon said. “It was very neat especially considering the timing of it all.”

Five plays later, and after a pair of incompletions intensified the pressure on starting quarterback Tanner McKee, he was picked off by Scott, who returned the ball 18 yards, setting up Cal, first and goal at the nine.

The third, consecutive running play for freshman Jaydn Ott finished in the end zone, and Cal was in command, up 27-17 with 58 seconds remaining.

“We know how important this game is to us as a team, our administration and our support staff,” coach Justin Wilcox said. “Our fans and students were just incredible tonight. What an awesome environment.”

The game featured several, strategical twists as both teams desperate to change their fortunes, saw their coaching staffs pull out all the stops. The Bears, with an undisclosed, chain of command calling their plays after offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave was dismissed earlier in the week, completely abandoned their run game in the first half.

Not surprising given the Bears’ desultory offensive line play, but eye-catching because Stanford came in allowing nearly six yards per rushing attempt, ranking them dead last among 131 FBS teams.

The result? Cal unleashed a short passing game that utilized Ott as a pass catcher with success, but several drops, and a critical end zone interception thrown by Plummer saw Cal go into the half trailing 10-6. The Bears failed to convert any of their first, five third down conversion attempts, and they suffered Plummer’s pick immediately after they finally converted on a fourth down attempt.

Stanford started Mitch Leigber at running back, a converted safety with no one to back him up because of a rash of injuries decimated the Cardinal’s depth chart. Leigber was terrific with 83 yards rushing on 22 carries, but when he needed a blow, coach David Shaw elected to lift McKee and bring on Daniels as a quarterback whose sole intent was to run the ball. But on Daniels seventh rush attempt the game switched as he was stripped and fumbled.

Cal (4-7, 2-6) finishes its season on Friday afternoon with a home game against UCLA.

DWIGHT GARNER PASSES, MOEN STATUE REVEALED: A 1,500 pound Statue of Cal hero Kevin Moen was debuted in a ceremony outside the stadium on Friday with the likeness of the rugby, football star holding the football high above his head as he did after crossing the goal line, concluding “The Play” in 1982.

At the ceremony, it was announced that Dwight Garner, an Oakland native and a freshman in ’82, passed away this week after battling prostate cancer in Florida. Garner, 58, handled the third lateral on “The Play” and was nearly tackled before shuttling the ball, and prolonging the play. It was his portion of the sequence that embittered Stanford players who felt Garner’s knee was down before he released the ball.

Stanford Cardinal game wrap: Stanford collapses to Cal in thriller 27-20

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For Stanford Cardinal head coach David Shaw just one more brick in the wall as as he looks on during first half action at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley against the Cal Bears Sat Nov 19, 2022. It would be Stanford’s fourth straight loss. (AP News photo)

Stanford Falls to California In a Thriller 27-20

By Barbara Mason

Saturday afternoon under sunny skies the Stanford Cardinal (3-7) took on the California Bears (3-7) in the 125th Big Game at Memorial Stadium. The game was sold out and 10,000 lucky fans received a replica Axe as they entered. This is a game that fans look forward to each and every year.

Cal won the toss and deferred. The Cardinal went on offense and a terrific drive ensued. Stanford drove downfield and inside of the opening three minutes scored the first touchdown of the game. Mitch Leigber ran for one yard giving Stanford the early 7-0 lead.

Tanner McKee was 6 of 6 in the first quarter for 67 yards. Cal’s Dario Longhetto kicked two field goals in the quarter; one at 10:00 a 52 yard kick, and a second with 33 seconds left in the quarter. The Cardinal kicker Joshua Karty sent a 42 yd field goal through the uprights at 3:47 for a 10-6 score as the clock ran out on the first quarter. It was a great start for both teams in some unexpectedly solid offense.

With 2:21 left in the half the Cardinal cut short a terrific Cal drive intercepting a Jack Plummer pass in the end zone for a touchback. Stanford took over on downs but was unable to move the ball. The Bears took over on downs. With 47 seconds left in the half Stanford got the ball back and the Cardinal had one last shot in the first half.

The score remained 10-6 in favor of Stanford at the half. Cal had squandered away two scoring opportunities, one of them going on a fourth and one and a second with the interception in the end zone. The Cardinal defense was instrumental in this game keeping the Stanford lead intact.

Stanford would extend their lead in the third quarter. Tanner McKee, who was having a banner day, hit Elijah Higgins for nine yards and a touchdown giving Stanford a 17-6 lead at 8:31.

When Stanford looked to be in full control of the game, the Cal Bears flipped the script. At 11:18 Jack Plummer found Monroe Young for one yard and a touchdown.

The two-point conversion failed but the Bears had pulled to within striking distance 17-12. At 9:54 Stanford fumbled and Jackson Sirmon recovered the ball rushing for a touchdown and Cal’s first lead of the game. The two point conversion was good and the Bears led 20-17. There was 9:26 left in the game which is an eternity.

The Bears were back in field goal range when disaster struck and Plummer threw his second pick of the game at 6:42. California was giving Stanford every opportunity to take back the lead but there were no takers for the Cardinal. Tanner McKee had his first interception of the game at 2:15 and it could not have come at a worse time for the Cardinal.

With 0:58 left on the game clock the Bears found the end zone and a 27-17 lead. Stanford’s kicker Karty attempted a 61 yard field goal which was good and his longest kick this season but it was too little too late for the Cardinal.

As the clock wore down the ceremonial stare-down gathered in the end zone with the California Bears retaining the ax for another year.

This was a drastic turn of events for Stanford after leading for most of the game. Quarterback Tanner McKee was 29 of 45 for 271 yards and the one interception that changed the course of the game. The Cardinal had 129 rushing yards but the one turnover late in the game was the deciding factor. They also had three fumbles one that was recovered by Cal. This was a hotly contested game and it was the California Bears who prevailed.

Southern Discomfort: Bears start slow, never settle in, and fall at home to Southern U. 74-66

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–A slow start and tentative play doomed the Cal Bears again in a 74-66 home loss to Southern.

The Bears trailed 9-1 and 31-15 as the Jaquars, from the SWAC conference, came out hot, then gained confidence on a night they would shoot a blistering 52 percent from three. A dejected coach Mark Fox started with perimeter defense when trying to dissect how his team fell to 0-4.

“I can’t put a defense together that gives us a chance to win,” Fox admitted. “Twelve 3-point makes, and we repeatedly failed to guard the 3-point line.”

The visitors, coached by former Kentucky Sean Woods, weren’t necessarily brimming with confidence after starting their season with double-digit losses at UNLV, Arizona and St. Mary’s, but they did gain some traction with their competitive, first half against the Gaels on Wednesday. Their emphasis on exploiting their quickness advantage at the guard spots was spot on as their screens designed to free up shooters gave Cal fits.

“No doubt,” Woods declared when told Fox said SU’s fleet guards were problems. “We can shoot, dribble and pass and we did it tonight.”

Brion Whitley led Southern with 18 points, and P.J. Byrd and Dre’Shawn Allen each scored 13. The trio was a combined 12 for 12 from the foul stripe as Cal was made to pay when they resorted to reaching when trying to defend.

The Bears never led, but they did shoot better in the second half after trailing 38-26 at the break. After making just seven field goals in the first 20 minutes, Cal improved to 50 percent shooting the rest of the way, including 7 of 16 from three. But throughout they never appeared confident, and Southern’s defense retreated to the painted area, daring Cal to make some outside shots.

Lars Thiemann, who finished with 15 points, saw his impact lessened when Southern packed it in. Cal was left to hoist perimeter shots, some which fell, but the process kept them from gaining any rhythm offensively. Devin Askew led the Bears with 21 points, but the transfer guard had a rough evening with seven missed shots and seven turnovers.

“I’m asking Devin Askew to do everything,” Fox said. “He’s having to do too much. We’re asking him to do more than is probably fair.”

Fox wanting to put emphasis on his belief that his team’s winless start falls squarely on his shoulders, declined to make any of his players available to the media after the game.

Cal last started a season with four, consecutive losses in 1998. The Bears are 35-64 in their first 99 games under Fox, who could suffer an, unprecedented fourth, consecutive losing season with stops at Nevada and Georgia prior to coming to Cal in his 17 seasons as a head coach.

Could help be arriving soon? That’s to be determined as Cal is still without transfer DeJuan Clayton, who Fox says has yet to practice due to a lower body injury. Guard Jarred Hyder is also out, and leading, returning scorer Jalen Celestine isn’t expected to see action for another three to four weeks after off-season surgery.

“It’s going to be a work in progress until we get another shooter on the floor,” Fox said.

The Bears host Texas State on Monday before traveling to Florida for two games over the Thanksgiving break.

Stanford Cardinal football podcast with Daniel Dullum: Stanford looks to snap 3 game skid at Cal in Big Game Saturday

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Utah running back Micah Bernard (2) carries the ball as Stanford defensive end David Bailey (23) makes a tackle during the first half action in Salt Lake City on Sat Nov 12, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Cardinal podcast with Daniel:

On the Cardinal podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 Cameron Rising threw three touchdown passes, Taylon Thomas ran for 180 yards and two scores, and No. 13 Utah dominated Stanford (3-7) in a 42-7 Pac-12 football win for the Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

#2 After Stanford (3-7 overall, 1-7 Pac-12) took a 7-0 first quarter lead on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Tanner McKee, it was all Utah (8-2 overall, 6-1 Pac-12), which used a big third quarter to pull away for good.

#3 Utah scored three times within seven minutes in the third quarter to put the game away. Rising connected with Thomas Yassmin for a 14-yard touchdown at 9:21, and threw a 19-yard scoring pass to Micah Bernard at 5:58. Rising has 18 touchdown passes this season.

#4 McKee, who was sacked seven times, threw 23 passes, completing 11 for 155 yards. Mitch Leigber was the Cardinal’s top rusher, with 40 yards on 12 carries. Elijah Higgins caught seven passes for 105 yards.

#5 The Cardinal head to UC Berkeley for the Big Game this Saturday the Bears have lost six straight games. The Cardinal have lost three straight games as both teams are looking to snap their losing streaks.

Join Daniel for the Cardinal podcast Friday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal head to Cal for a shot at the Ax in the Big Game Saturday

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Stanford safety Jonathan McGill, left, makes an interception as Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) falls during the first half at Salt Lake City Sat Nov 12, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Cameron Rising threw three touchdown passes, Taylon Thomas ran for 180 yards and two scores, and No. 13 Utah dominated Stanford (3-7) in a 42-7 Pac-12 football win for the Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

#2 After Stanford (3-7 overall, 1-7 Pac-12) took a 7-0 first quarter lead on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Tanner McKee, it was all Utah (8-2 overall, 6-1 Pac-12), which used a big third quarter to pull away for good.

#3 Utah scored three times within seven minutes in the third quarter to put the game away. Rising connected with Thomas Yassmin for a 14-yard touchdown at 9:21, and threw a 19-yard scoring pass to Micah Bernard at 5:58. Rising has 18 touchdown passes this season.

#4 McKee, who was sacked seven times, threw 23 passes, completing 11 for 155 yards. Mitch Leigber was the Cardinal’s top rusher, with 40 yards on 12 carries. Elijah Higgins caught seven passes for 105 yards.

#5 The Cardinal head to UC Berkeley for the Big Game this Saturday the Bears have lost six straight games. The Cardinal have lost three straight games as both teams are looking to snap their losing streaks.

Join Michael for the Cardinal podcast Wednesday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears football podcast with Michael Duca: Cal has home field for Big Game; Can Bears edge Stanford for the Ax?

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California wide receiver Monroe Young (14) misses a pass from quarterback Jack Plummer during the second half of the team’s NCAA college football game against Oregon State at Corvallis on Sat Nov 12, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears football podcast with Michael:

#1 Cal who fired two of their assistant coaches on Sunday Bill Musgrave offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Angus McClure was this firing a matter of a poor job of coaching the offense by Musgrave and McClure or the talent on the Bears just isn’t there?

#2 Head coach Justin Wilcox said that it was in the best interest of the team and that changes in the coaching staff was necessary.

#3 After the changes in assistants how do you see the benefit of the change for the Bears offense going forward.

#4 Cal is on a six game losing streak at this rate is there a possibility if the continue to lose do you see them making a change at head coach with Justin Wilcox?

#5 Stanford has lost three straight games going into the Big Game this Saturday Cal has home field can you see a chance for a bounce back especially after the assistant coaching changes for Cal to edge this one out?

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