Tag: Duke Blue Devils

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips: Cal hosts UNC tries to recover from Duke loss

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Cal cornerback Hezekiah Masses could not prevent Duke’s Cooper Barkate from catching a touchdown pass. / D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 How did Duke manage to erase Cal’s early 21‑7 lead and dominate the rest of the game?

#2 What role did turnovers and sacks play in the outcome, and which players were most responsible on both sides?

#3 How effective was Cal’s freshman quarterback Jaron Keawe‑Sagapolutele early versus later in the game, and what changed?

#4 Which Duke offensive players made the biggest impact, and how did Cal’s defense struggle to contain them?

#5 Cal hosts UNC head coach Bill Belichick and the UNC Tar Heels and it’s a winnable game for Cal who have home field. The Tar Heels have been struggling losing their last two games and are 2-3 how do you see this match up between UNC and Cal in Berkeley on Fri Oct 17 a 7:30pm PT kickoff.

Cal Bears podcasts are heard Thursdays with Morris Phillips at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

“Bad Football:” Coach Wilcox Doesn’t Mince Words After Cal Gets Blitzed By Duke In A 45-21 Loss

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Depending on your perspective, ACC Football After Dark has never looked so bad, or if you tuned in after 11:30pm in Durham, North Carolina, has it looked so good.

If you missed the first quarter and change of the 7:30pm kickoff local time, you missed Cal’s confident start offensively in which they threw up a trio of touchdowns post haste. Jeron Keawe Sagapolutele started 9 for 9 passing with a touchdown pass, and looked like he had passed his first mid-term exams with such aplomb that he was immediately declared a sophomore.

Then, up 21-7 on favored Duke, the Cal Bears self-destructed.

Sagapolutele would finish the game with completions on 11 of his final 22 pass attempts, including three damaging interceptions. Having seen enough, Coach Justin Wilcox lifted his freshman quarterback for backup Devin Brown, who threw an interception on his only pass of the evening.

Meanwhile, Duke caught fire, scoring 24 points in the second quarter alone, and 38 unanswered points in total. The biggest contributor to Duke’s surge, according to Wilcox, was Cal’s sluggish, inattentive play defensively.

“Bad football. Bad football. Guys getting lined up late,” Wilcox said.

Simply, once Duke and quarterback Darian Mensah hit their stride, they strutted. The Blue Devils scored three touchdowns in less than seven minutes and took a 31-21 lead at the half.

When Cal’s defense stiffened in the third quarter, their offense wilted with punts on three, consecutive possessions before Duke piled it on with two, fourth quarter touchdowns. Sagapolutele looked rushed, and made bad decisions because of the pressure, which resulted in interceptions bookending the three fruitless possessions. Six Duke sacks didn’t help, nor did a running game that produced just 41 yards.

“Bad protection technique from Cal’s pass protectors,” Wilcox conceded. “We have to do a better job protecting.”

Two other big statistical numbers stood out in what is now the game in which Cal allowed the most points to an unranked team in Wilcox’s nine seasons as head coach: the Blue Devils registered 13 tackles for a loss of yardage, while their offense compiled 11 pass plays of at least 15 yards gained.

“We’re finally looking like the team I was hoping we would be and my excitement is thru the roof,” coach Manny Diaz said of his Duke team that improved to 4-2 with a 3-0 record in ACC play.

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips: Sagapolutele’s success leads Cal to wins

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The Cal Bears celebrate after Luke Ferrelli’s game-clinching interception against the Boston College Eagles on Sat Sep 27, 2025 (Cal Bears photo)

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 What was the turning point or decisive play that ultimately decided the game? The 51‑yard touchdown pass by Cal’s QB Jaron‑Keawe Sagapolutele late in the game. Cal came away with a 28-24 win.

#2 How did each team’s strengths and weaknesses compare heading into the matchup, and how did that affect the outcome? Boston College’s strong passing offense vs. Cal’s run defense; Cal’s red zone vulnerabilities vs. BC’s red zone defense.

#3 Which individual performance stood out for either side — positively or negatively — and how did those impact the game? Turbo Richard’s 171 rushing yards for BC, Sagapolutele’s composure after early mistakes, or key interceptions.

#4 What role did turnovers, penalties, or special teams play in the flow and final result of the game?

#5 What does this result mean for each team going forward — in terms of momentum, conference implications, or expectations for the rest of the season?

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

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Stanford hoping to end 2 game skid against Cal Saturday

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Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) drives on Duke Blue Devils center Khaman Maluach (9) at Cameron Indoor Arena in Durham North Carolina on Sat Feb 15, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 The Stanford Cardinal came into Duke University on Sat Feb 15 hoping to bounce back from a tough loss to the Georgia Tech on Wed Feb 12th 60-52 but got destroyed by the Blue Devils 106-70.

#2 In the first half Duke offense was unstoppable scoring 49 points to Stanford’s 34. The Cardinal simply couldn’t do anything with Duke’s defense that prevented them to get inside all first half long.

#3 Duke turned it up a notch not holding back in the second half scoring 57 to Stanford’s 36 points. Not much difference from the first half but it sure had Stanford head coach Kyle Smith busy with his X’s and O’s.

#4 Only three Stanford Cardinal finished in double figures. Forward Maxime Raynaud led with 19 points followed by guard Oziyah Sellers second with 11 points, and Donavin Young with ten points.

#5 Up next for the Cardinal the Cal Bears who pay Stanford a visit this Sat Feb 22 a 7:00pm PST. The Bears have lost their last three games and have struggling road record at 2-8. Stanford is 13-2 at home and lost their last two games in a row. How do you see this match on Saturday?

Join Michael for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal will have hands full at Duke on Saturday

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Stanford Cardinal forward Cameron Grant (20) takes some pre game shots in preparation for the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta on Wed Feb 12, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 The Stanford Cardinal suffered a tough loss to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in an eight point loss 60-52 Wednesday night in Atlanta. Stanford now drops their road record to 3-5.

#2 Jackets guard Nathan George delivered leading in scoring with 22 points with seven rebounds and five assists. The Cardinal had a tough time containing him.

#3 Another Jacket the Cardinal had a tough containing was forward Baye Ndongo who was second in scoring with 15 points.

#4 The Cardinal leading scorer was guard Jaylen Blakes with 12 points and for Maxime Raynaud he finished with a surprising eight points as the Jackets were able to contain him.

#5 Stanford has a tall order facing the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday at 1:00pm PST at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham North Carolina. Duke is the toughest in the conference first place at 21-3 and is undefeated at home at 14-0.

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

Cal Bears WBB podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal battles Stanford on the Hill Thursday

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Cal Bears center Michelle Onyiah (0) takes a shot over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward Kennedy Moore (15) at LVJM Coliseum in Winston-Salem NC on Sun Jan 19, 2025 (Cal Bears photo)

On the Cal Bears WBB podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 Cal Bears who are Cal is 17-3, 5-2, 11 scheduled games remaining, nine against teams below them in the ACC standings and 11-0 at Haas Pavilion.  Marta Suarez led with 16 points with nine assists, Ioanna Krimili and Lulu Twidale scored four three pointers and both finished with 14 points on Sunday in Cal’s 67-55 win over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (7-12) in Winston-Salem NC.

#2 Michelle Onyiah scored ten points and grabbed ten rebounds with her fifth double-double of the season.

#3 Krimili was aggressive in getting the basketball early scoring their first eight points for a 10-2 start that put Cal in front 23-19 for Cal’s first lead four minutes in the second quarter and never look back.

#4 Morris, after getting crushed by Duke 72-38 on Thursday how important was it for them to turn around on Sunday and get that win against Wake Forest to end their road trip to Tabacco Road?

#5 Cal tips off against their cross bay rival the Stanford Cardinal (10-8) Thu Jan 22 for a 7:00pm PST start. The Cardinal are 13th in the ACC. Stanford has almost been flawless at home with a 9-1 record. Do you see the Bears not being intimidated and getting business done or could it be a battle for them at Maples Pavilion?

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

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal gets turned around in landslide loss to Duke 72-38; Bears third loss of the season

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The Cal Bears Gisella Maul (12) drives on the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham on Thu Jan 16, 2025 (Cal Women’s basketball photo)

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 Morris the Duke Blue Devils (14-4) made easy work of the Cal Bears (16-3) with a 72-38 win. The contest was not even close and the Bears didn’t get much offense was it a matter of the Bears shot was off or was it that the Blue Devils defense just was in command all night?

#2 Duke’s Toby Fournier was a scoring machine leading with 23 points and she did it all coming off the bench.

#3 Cal tried hard as they may to try and shut down Duke’s Ashlon Jackson who finished second in scoring with 16 and Reigan Richardson with third with 14.

#4 Cal’s scoring was not their previous games nobody finished in double figures. The top three scorers were Kayla Williams with eight, Ugonne Onyiah and Natalia Ackerman both with six. It just seem on one could get past that intimidating Duke defense.

#5 Cal will try it all over again against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (7-10) on Sunday with an 11:00AM PST tip. Wake Forest are coming off a tough loss to the Stanford Cardinal 74-71 tonight. Wake Forest are last in the ACC and have lost five in a row. Cal is coming in none too happy after the loss to Duke so Wake Forest will no doubt have their work cut out for them.

Cal Bears podcasts with Morris Phillips are heard Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NCAAF podcast with Michelle Richardson: Duke piles on Virginia Tech 45-10; Benjamin carries ASU to upset win; NCAA co-chair says Ohio State won’t pay in Cali if likeness law passes

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photo from islandpacket.com: Duke quarterback Chris Katrenick (15) scores on a 9-yard touchdown run past Virginia Tech defender Alan Tisdale (34) and Jaylen Griffin (41) in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Sept. 27, 2019, in Blacksburg, Va.

On the NCAAF podcast with Michelle:

#1 The Duke Blue Devils totally dominated Virginia Tech all day on Friday. Duke quarterback Quentin Harris passed 20-27 for 163 yards and two touchdowns, Harris also carried for 100 yards and a touchdown in the 45-10 victory. The win puts Duke at 3-1.

#2 Arizona State improved their record to 4-1 with a win over the Cal Bears on Friday night. ASU quarterback Jayden Daniels threw for 174 yards, the Sun Devils running back Eno Benjamin literally carried the game for ASU scoring three touchdowns and rushed for 100 yards. ASU head coach Herm Edwards has really got this school moving forward. The Sun Devils have won four of their last five games.

#3 Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith who co-chairs on the NCAA group on the likeness, endorsement, and sponsorship money said that if the California bill goes into effect that will allow student athletes to get paid for playing and for likeness endorsements. Ohio State will not participate in any games against any California teams. Smith said those schools will not be NCAA members.

Michelle’s Final Thoughts

Join Michelle each week for NCAAF podcast and commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com