Tag: NCAA

Air Force Beats San Jose State 45-20

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The Air Force Falcons running back Lee Eldridge (24) takes a leap over the San Jose State University Spartans linebacker Taniela Latu (41) at Spartan Stadium in San Jose on Fri Sep 22, 2023 (@AF_Football photo)

Friday, September 22nd, 2023 

By Troy Ewers

 San Jose, CA – CEFCU Stadium was the location for this Mountain West conference duel between the San Jose State Spartans and Air Force Falcons. This Friday night battle may have felt like being in high school and watching a game at your school, but the energy and competition was way more intense with more at stake. Air Force handled the San Jose State with a 45-20 win.

Spartans QB Chevan Cordeiro had his hands full against Air Force considering going into this game the Falcons with a conference leading defense. Air Force’s defense ranked first in the conference in seven categories (scoring defense, passing defense, rushing defense, total defense, opposing first downs, third down defense, and sacks for).

Air Force also was the conference leader in six offensive categories (pass yards/completions, rushing offense, passing efficiency, third down %, sacks against, and time of possession). How would SJSU head coach Brent Brennan prepare for this top ranked squad?

San Jose State’s opening drive showed that coach Brennan was very prepared for the Falcons. The first drive for the Spartans went 75 yards in eight plays and took only 4:17 off the clock, this efficient drive didn’t showcase Cordeiro’s efficiency with the offense, but he was able to score on his feet with a 10 yard run to give the Spartans the lead to start the game, but the extra point was missed, 6-0.

Air Force this season had only allowed seven points in the first half and SJSU had already done better essentially in the first quarter. Air Force’s opening drive wasn’t a quiet in and out drive, they went 62 yards, but could only collect three points off the field goal from Matthew Dapore. 6-3 game at this point in the first quarter. The Spartans next drive went nowhere as they were forced to punt and it was a better example of the Falcons defense that was advertised. 

The second quarter started with Air Force with the ball around midfield and the rushing offense of the Falcons displayed why they were the leaders of the Mountain West. Not only did they control the pace of the game, but after going 65 yards on the drive, a rush by Emmanuel Michel for 17 yards through the defense into the end zone, the Falcons were able to take the lead including adding an extra point, 10-6 Air Force.

The shootout continued with SJSU moving the chains for a 60 yard drive and the exclamation point on the drive was a 29 yard touchdown run by Kairee Robinson, breaking tackles and finding holes, showing off great field vision and putting the Spartans over 13-10.

The momentum swayed largely in San Jose State’s favor after they completely stuffed Air Force as the Falcons tried to rush the ball and went absolutely nowhere and forced a punt. This was SJSU’s opportunity to possibly extend their lead going into halftime.

Cordeiro and this offense took full advantage of this opportunity and in four plays went 64 yards and pounded the ball into the end zone with another Robinson TD for SJSU. Cordeiro at this point in the game was throwing a perfect 11/11 so far as the Spartans were up 20-10.

Air Force’s response as the second quarter winded down was to go 75 yards and run the ball in for TD, but the attack was more balanced as Falcons QB Zac Larrier founds holes in the Spartans defense that made their attack feel easy and as the half ended the score was close, 20-17 with SJSU up. 

The second half started with Air Force having the ball and their game plan was to take over possession time with their nation leading running game. Coming into the second half with 199 rushing yards, Air Force added 75 yards on that stat with a long drive that went 15 plays and took more than half of the quarter to execute, but they executed to perfection with a rushing touchdown by John Lee Eldridge III and on that drive it felt like every running back on Air Force’s roster touched the ball and the Falcons took the lead, 24-20.

Cordeiro’s first incompletion came in the first play of the opening drive for SJSU in the second half and he followed it up with a second incomplete and an eight yard run, but no first down and with 5:28 left in the third, the game was coming down to who can stick to their strengths and minimize their weaknesses.

Air Force’s run game was hitting on all cylinders. So far this season they average 320 yards a game and this game was no different for the Falcons as they hit 333 yards when the whistle blew for the end of the third quarter. 

With the ball to start the fourth quarter and red zone field possession, Air Force had a chance to extend the lead the only way they knew how and they did exactly that. Converting on a fourth down for a touchdown, Michel jammed in a one yard run in the end zone and took an 11 point lead to start the final quarter, 31-20.

A real shift in momentum came when SJSU tried to convert on fourth down to mount a comeback, but that attempt failed as they were stuffed by the Air Force D-Line and the possession would change hands. The Spartans had been scoreless in the second half at this point and with Air Force having the ball after that turnover on downs, it was clear who had everything in their favor the second half.

The proverbial nail in the coffin for SJSU came when Eldrige III broke tackles and hurdled falling Spartans for a 34 yard TD, 38-20 Air Force. After that TD the fans were filing out to beat the traffic. Both Michel and Eldrige III had 100+ yards rushing and the total rushing yards at this point for Air Force were 380, upholding their average on the season.

Cordeiro would throw an interception to Air Force’s Trey Taylor in a routine pop up pick and by this point in the game, all Air Force had to do was run this clock down to zero. Air Force while running down this clock would score again, 45-20, but the damage was not only done, but the 16,124 in attendance dwindled to around 2,000 people with two minutes left. 

When the final whistle blew it was clear who had won this game and it was clear Air Force was just as dominant as they were advertised. On defense they were a force and on offense they used a ground game that was classic old school smash mouth football.

For SJSU there’s a lot to learn from this game and with a bye week next week, they have time to reflect and learn from this game. Their next game would be in Idaho against Boise State on October 7th.

Stanford Cardinal with Jerry Feitelberg: Taylor trying to right Stanford ship and prepare for Arizona for Saturday

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Stanford head coach Troy Taylor disputes a call during the first half against the USC Trojans on Sat Sep 9, 2023 in Los Angeles, the Cardinal went onto loose to the Sacramento State Hornets on Sat Sep 16, 2023 at Stanford and host the Arizona Wildcats on Sat Sep 23, 2023 at Stanford Stadium (AP News photo)

On the Pac 12 podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 The Stanford Cardinal (1-2) continued their struggles as they were beaten by the Sacramento State Hornets (3-0) 30-23. Former Hornets head coach and current Stanford head coach Troy Taylor was beaten by his former team the Hornets for the Cardinal second loss in week 3.

#2 The Hornets had a key second quarter scoring two touchdowns against the Cardinal and coming away with a 20-14 lead at the half.

#3 Hornets quarterback Kaiden Barnett refused to loose as he threw for 279 yards, going 21-33 for one touchdown and two interceptions. Barnett once again leads the Hornets to another win and Sacramento State goes up 3-0.

#4 The Cardinals on the other hand continues to struggle executing the red zone they have seen the worst of times this season getting whipped by the USC Trojans in week 2 56-10 and losing by a touchdown last Saturday to the Hornets.

#5 It’s week 4 for Stanford as they try and regroup, try and get a game plan to prepare for the Arizona Wildcats who dominated in their two wins this season beating Miss State 31-24 on Sat Sep 9th and UTEP on Sat 16th, 31-10. Do you see the Cardinal with their hands full this Sat with the Wildcats at Stanford Stadium?

Jerry Feitelberg is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cardinal Stung and Stunned by Aggressive Hornets; Lose Home Opener with New Coach vs. Old Team, 30-23

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The Stanford Cardinal quarterback Ashton Daniels (14) throws against the Sacramento State Hornets at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Sat Sep 16, 2023 (USA Today photo)

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (1-2, 0-1 Pac-12) opened up their home schedule with a thud, as they could not swat away the swarming Sacramento State Hornets (3-0) 30-23 on the Farm, as first-year coach Troy Taylor was downed by his former team.

Taylor congratulated the coaches, staff and players of his former place of employment.  He also surmised what happened in the game:  “They made more plays than we did, and they won the game.”  Taylor also addressed the scenario of facing his former squad and all the colleagues and friends still there.  “Once the game starts, you’re just competing.”  Uttered Taylor.

It took a large portion of the initial quarter before any scoring took place by either team.  Both defenses will get credit for the lack of offense; however, Sacramento State was not intending to be a sacrificial lamb for the power five school.

With about six and a half minutes left in the quarter, the home team got on the scoreboard first.  Senior running back Casey Filkins burst through the defense for a one-yard touchdown.  Stanford led 7-0 near the end of one.

The Hornets actually had an answer before the 15 minutes expired.  With :44 left before part one of the game concluded, junior kicker Zack Schreiner booted a 24-yard kick to put the Hornets within four, 7-3.

In the second stanza, there was a lot more action for the sparse crowd.  Cardinal sophomore quarterback Ashton Danaiels launched a 51-yard bomb to fellow sophomore wide receiver Elic Ayomanor for a touchdown, putting them up by 11, 14-3.

Stanford was looking to squash the state capital bugs, by attempting an immediate onside kick.  The result was a success, and the Cardinal regained possession of the ball.  This marked the first time in over 20 years (2001 – Oregon) the team was able to accomplish this feat.

As the Cardinal tried to capitalize on this fortuitous play, they gave the ball right back a few minutes later on a turnover.  Daniels had his pass attempt deflected and picked off in the endzone.  

The touchback put Sac State on their own 20, and they seemed to have garnered momentum.  In less than five minutes, the Hornets reached paydirt on a one-yard TD by sophomore running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver, bringing them within four again, 14-10, Cardinal.

As Sacramento State did in the first quarter-score with less than a minute left-they duplicated in the second.  Bennett scored on a two-yard QB keeper, putting the visitors ahead for the first time, 17-14, with :35 before recess.

The Cardinal were down by three at intermission, but had the luxury of receiving the ball in the beginning of the second half.

In the third quarter, the “Hot” foot of senior kicker Joshua Karty came into play.  He was working on a streak of 22 consecutive kicks without a miss.  At the 10:35 mark, he tied up the game at 17, on a 41-yard FG, extending his streak to 23.

Just under seven minutes to go in quarter number three, Hornets QB Bennett throws an interception on Stanford’s 1-yard line.  Unfortunately for the Cardinal, they gave it right back two minutes later.  Sophomore QB Justin Lamson, who came in for Daniels, threw an inopportune interception.  

Sac State drove the ball down, then settled for a 22–yard Schreiner FG, putting them back up by three, 20-17.  This time they scored with more than two minutes left in the quarter.  However, Stanford was not able to do anything with the clock moments.  After three, the Hornets were up 3, 20-17.

The fourth had a lot of excitement for the announced 23k+(?) souls in the stadium.

Karty was at it again, converting his 24th consecutive FG from 40, this time.  The Cardinal evened the score at 20, and appeared to be taking the momentum back from the Hornets.  Especially when Bennett tossed another INT, which was returned for an assumed pick-6.  The officials deemed the interception legit, but the return was not allowed.

Karty made sure they at least got something out of that big turnover, so he belted his 25th consecutive kick through the uprights midway through the final portion of the contest.  The Cardinal were on top again, and the Farm faithful hoped for the remainder of time.

The pesky guests from Sac-Town were not on the same page as the majority gathered in Metro Palo Alto.  Schreiner did his own footwork, and scored a 44-yarder, tying the game at 23.

The common theme of the Northern California battle, the Hornets scored the last points of every quarter.  This time in the most important one, Bennett, on the verge of being sacked, lofted a pass to senior running back Marcus Fulcher, which resulted in a 49-yard eventual GW TD.  After four quarters of action, the Sacramento State Hornets are the victors, 30-23 on the Farm.

Stanford will remain on the Farm and host Arizona, next Saturday September 23 at 4 pm PDT.  Sacramento State will travel to Idaho and face the Vandals next Saturday at 1 pm local time.

Note: Cardinal senior Kicker Joshua Karty is currently at 25 consecutive field goals without a miss,  He was 3-3 in this game.

The Hornets’ junior QB  had quite a game.  21-33, 279 yards passing, TD & 2 INT; 100 rushing yards and one TD.

San Jose State falls to Toledo 21-17

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Photo credit: toledoblade.com

By: Mary Anne

The San Jose State Spartans looked to win two in a row at the Toledo Rockets on Saturday, but they didn’t. San Jose State fell to Toledo 21-17 at Glass Bowl Stadium. SJSU’s record dropped to 1-3, while Toledo improved to 2-1.

After a scoreless first quarter, San Jose State took a second-quarter lead in only a minute. Kyler Halvorsen kicked a 37-yard field goal to make it 3-0 Spartans at 7:47. Spartans quarterback Chevan Cordeiro threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Dominick Mazotti, who scored his first of the season, and Halvorsen kicked an extra point to give the Spartans a 10-0 lead at 6:47.

The Rockets cut the Spartans’ lead to 10-7 with ten seconds left in the second quarter. Rockets quarterback Dequan Finn threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jerjuan Newton, who scored a touchdown, and Luke Pawlak kicked an extra point to make it a three-point game.

The Spartans took a 10-7 lead to the locker room at halftime.

The Spartans took a ten-point lead at 9:58 of the third quarter. Kairee Robinson ran for a 15-yard touchdown and Kyler Halvorson kicked in an extra point to put the Spartans up 17-7.

The Rockets made it a three-point game at 6:15 of the third quarter. Dequan Finn ran for an 18-yard touchdown and Luke Pawlak kicked in an extra point to cut the Spartans’ lead to 17-14.

The Rockets took their first lead of the game with 2:01 left in the third quarter. Chris McDonald scored a touchdown on a 25-yard interception return and Luke Pawlak kicked in an extra point to put the Rockets up 21-14.

Notes
Spartans quarterback Chevan Cordeiro joined the 10,000-yard club Saturday.

Up Next
The Spartans will return home to host the Air Force Falcons at CEFCU Stadium on Saturday, September 22, at 7:30 p.m. Pacific.

Cal Scores 31 Unanswered Points To Beat Idaho 31-17

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Congratulations all around as the Cal Bears defeated the Idaho Vandals for their second win at Cal Memorial in Berkeley on Sat Sep 16, 2023 (@CalFootball photo)

Saturday, September 16th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

Berkeley, CA – At Cal Memorial Stadium, the University of Cal Bears host the Idaho Vandals in their third game of the season, and the Bears come into this game 1-1 and coming off a loss last week to Auburn. The defense of Cal has only allowed 14 points in the last six quarters and that was all in the Auburn game. Cal dominated on offense coming away with their second win of the 2023 season defeating the Vandals 31-17.

The game started with Idaho receiving the ball and their first drive was a 12 play, 67 yard drive that resulted in a field goal, 3-0 Idaho, but the story here is Cal’s defense stopping the Vandals in the red zone and forcing them to have to settle for three points.

Quarterback Sam Jackson V leads the Cal offense and has been leading them as a scoring dynamo the last two games, but his first drive this game went three and out and was forced to punt. Idaho’s very next drive was complete domination on offense and was efficient with nine plays and 80 yards that ended with Vandals running back Anthony Woods running head first into the defense and into the end zone for a touchdown. 10-0 Idaho.

The first quarter was all Idaho, dominating the possession time, the yards, and the score. Idaho had a 10:40 possession time and 147 yards which was polar opposite to Cal’s 4:20 time of possession and 39 yards in the opening quarter and Cal needed to shake things up for the second quarter or the Vandals would run away with this game early. 

The domination didn’t slow down for Idaho in the second quarter as they stopped Cal in their tracks to start the quarter and then followed that stop with a nine play, 53 yard touchdown drive where they scored off a two yard run in the end zone for Idaho QB Gevani McCoy.

17-0 Idaho and the Bears were not only trailing, they allowed more points in one half then they did in the last six quarters of two games. Cal finally got on the board with a 20 yard TD pass from Sam Jackson V to Jeremiah Hunter and the energy in the stadium perked up. 17-7.

The first time Cal stopped Idaho for a turnover on downs was deep in the second quarter when cornerback Jeremiah Earby knocked down two big passes, one of them being on fourth down and this set up the Bears for the momentum shifter of the half.

On the fourth play of the drive, Sam Jackson V threw a 36 yard TD pass to Trond Grizzell and the score being 17-14 now changed the environment and the energy in it. On what was supposed to be Idaho’s final drive before the half, they were about to enter the redzone, McCoy threw the ball and it was Nohl Williams for Cal who was there to pick it off and the Bears took over possession with 28 seconds left, but couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity. The first half ends with Idaho in the lead 17-14, but the momentum on the Bears side. 

The second half started with a major drive from Cal’s Sam Jackson V as he led the Bears 80 yards and scored  by running it in himself for a 27 yard TD, giving Cal their first lead of the game, 21-17 Cal. Idaho’s third quarter was vastly different than their entire first half.

Cal clearly made adjustments to the defense where this half Idaho couldn’t get anything going even though they were still dominating the time of possession. The offense though for Cal was in full gear during the quarter, collecting another TD, but this one on the ground when Isaiah Ifanse hammered in a one yard run after setting up the scoring play with an even better 17 yard run where dodged any defender who tried to wrap him up. 28-17 Cal. 

The fourth quarter started with a big run by McCoy for Idaho, but a penalty made them go back to their start point and then a fumble recovered by Raymond Woodie III gave the Bears the ball early in the fourth and with such a clear lead, this moment was theirs to seize and put a potential nail in the Vandals’ coffin.

A huge 41 yard run by Ashton Stredick put the Cal offense in the best position to hammer that nail in the coffin, but they had to settle for a field goal after a penalty and failed plays held them outside the red zone. With the score being 31-17 Cal, the Bears at this point had scored 31 unanswered points.

As we went in to the final three minutes of the game, Idaho needed to get back to the vibe they set in the first half, but after another turnover, a fumble recovered by Cal, it was clear that the Vandals might’ve hit their peak point too early and it was in the hands of the Bears as the clock winded down. 

The clock hit zero and the score was final with Cal winning 31-17 and now holding a 2-1 record. Cal’s next game will be against a Pac-12 foe, the #8 Washington Huskies in the University of Washington and the Bears want to take this momentum and type of game into their next game and even into the conference part of the season.

Troy Ewers is a Cal Bears beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast with Michael Wagaman: Cal coming off tough loss prepares for Idaho Vandals next Sat at UC Berkeley

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Auburn cornerback D.J. James (4) intercepts a pass in the end zone intended for California wide receiver Trond Grizzell, right, during the second half at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Sat Sep 9, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Pac 12 podcast with Michael Wagaman:

#1 The Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne threw for five yard touchdown to wide receiver Rovaldo Fairweather this coming after the Cal Bears missed their field goal of the game.

#2 Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze gave the credit to the defense holding back Cal from getting traction on drives and keeping Bears quarterback Sam Jackson running all day.

#3 On the other side of the ball Cal kept Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne running who got 94 yards passing and threw for two touchdowns just to get by Cal 14-10.

#4 One of the positive things the Cal defense was able to hold Auburn’s offense. The Tigers were able to convert six first downs in three quarters before getting that 69 yard drive for the winning score in the middle of the fourth quarter.

#5 Cal hosts the Idaho Vandals who are coming off second win defeating the Nevada Wolf Pack 33-6 on Saturday. How do you see Cal defending against the pass of Idaho quarterback Gevani McCoy who threw for 313 yards and two touchdowns against Nevada.

Michael Wagaman is an AP beat writer and a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Bears Clawed and Defeated by Tigers on the Hill, 14-10 in Home Opener

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Auburn Tigers quarterback Patrick Thorne (1) throws against the Cal Bears defense at Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Sat Sep 9, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

BERKELEY, Calif — The California Golden Bears (1-1, 0-0 Pac-12) were unable to hold those Auburn Tigers (2-0, 0-0 SEC), 14-10 on Saturday night inside an excited California Memorial Stadium.

The Berkeley sky was filled with fireworks, large crowd noises, and pregame pomp and circumstance for the Golden Bears home opener against the visiting Tigers from the Southeastern Conference. The end of the game had a contrastly different tone with the four point loss.

On Auburn’s first drive, junior quarterback Payton Thorne coughed up the ball (13:33) while scrambling on Cal’s sideline. The Golden Bears capitalized on the early miscue by the southern gentlemen with a tally nearly four minutes later. Sophomore kicker Michael Luckhurst booted a 39-yard field goal to put the home team up 3-0.

Luckhurst had another opportunity to increase the advantage over the Tigers nearly two minutes later, but missed the 42-yard attempt. The Bears and Tigers spent most of the initial 15 minutes of the contest on the visitors’ side of the field. After the first stanza, 3-0 California.

The second quarter had a little more action for the fans and viewers. Two minutes into the quarter, Cal gave Auburn a gift. Bears’ redshirt senior running back Isaiah Ifanse fumbled on his own 17 yard line, giving the opponent possession in immediate scoring position. About a minute later, the Tigers took the lead on a 13-yard TD pass by Thorne to sophomore wide receiver Jay Fair.

Auburn led 7-3 for several minutes, and when they were attempting to expand the lead, sophomore running back Damari Alston had the ball knocked out of his hands by Cal’s redshirt junior safety Craig Woodson in Bears’ territory (35-yard line) and senior safety Patrick McMorris recovered the ball. California marched down the field and recaptured the lead, on a 14-yard TD run by sophomore running back Jaydn Ott (4:47).

With approximately a minute left in the first half, and a 10-7 lead in their pocket, the Bears intercepted (Nohl Williams So. CB) a pass from Thorne in Tigers territory. Cal lined up for a FG to obtain three more points at the intermission horn, but something else happened on the attempt.

The Bears kicking team was called for holding, so the 51-yard boot was nullified and they were backed up ten more yards farther from the end zone. Instead of trying a 61-yarder, the offense came back on the field.

California had one last play before recess, and it ended badly. Quarterback Sam Jackson V threw the ball into the endzone, but unfortunately it was caught by Auburn’s senior free safety Jaylin Simpson, ending the the half at 10-7, Golden Bears.

Quarter number three could have been surmised as a defensive battle, as neither team was able to affect the scoreboard. Cal once again was in position to score, but Luckhurst was unlucky and missed a 42-yard attempt with less than two minutes left in the quarter. After 45 minutes of play, the Bears kept their claws around their three-point lead (10-7).

Nearly four minutes into the final quadrant, Luckhurst missed his third FG, this time from 44 yards away from the uprights. After less than five minutes elapsed, Auburn’s Thorne tossed a five yard TD pass to junior TE Rivaldo Fairweather, putting the Tigers up by four, 14-10.

Two and a half minutes later, Auburn gave the Bears hope for a comeback victory, as their junior RB Jarquez Hunter had the ball stripped out of his hands at the visitors’ 41 yard line. Cal moved the ball and attempted a few shots to the end zone; however, the final attempt (1:44) ended with an interception. Auburn just had to let the clock run out and they could leave the Bay Area with a tough victory. At the the end of the alotted 60 minutes, the Auburn Tigers won by four, 14-10.

California HC Justin Wilcox expressed the reason his team lost, “You have to take advantage of the opportunities you get…we didn’t.”

QB Sam Jackson V was inserted into the game the second drive of the second quarter for redshirt sophomore Ben Finley. Jackson’s statline: 14-27, 126 passing yards and two interceptions. Ott rushed for 78 yards and a TD. Luckhurst was 1-4 (39) in FG attemps.

Auburn’s QB Thorne was 9-14 with 94 yards passing, two TD’s and two INT’s. TE Fairweather, 39 yards receiving & TD and WR Fair, 25 receiving yards & TD.

The Golden Bears will host Idaho next Saturday, September 16 (1 pm PDT), while the Tigers head back to Alabama to Host Samford on the same date (6 pm CST).

USC puts game out of reach, crushes Stanford 56-10 in the Southland

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The USC Trojans linebacker Tackett Curtis (25) tackles Stanford Cardinal quarterback Justin Lamson (8)in first half action at the LA Memorial Coliseum on Sat Sep 9, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023

Southern California built a 46-point halftime lead that turned out to be all they would need Saturday, as the No. 6-ranked Trojans routed Stanford 56-10 in the final Pac-12 football opener for both schools, played at the Memorial Coliseum.

This was the final scheduled meeting between the West Coast rivals in a series that goes back to 1905. They’ve been in the same conference since 1922, a status that changes next year when Southern California joins the Big 10 and Stanford goes to the ACC.

USC (3-0 overall, 1-0 Pac-12) jumped to a 21-0 lead on first-quarter touchdowns by Caleb Williams, Marshawn Lloyd and Austin Jones. The Trojans continued to roll in the second quarter, starting with a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown by Zachariah Branch.

Three minutes later, Williams completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to Dorian Singer. At 7:02 of the second quarter, Joshua Karty kicked a 38-yard field goal to put the Cardinal (1-1 overall, 0-1 Pac-12) on the board.

The Trojans didn’t let up, as Williams fired a 75-yard scoring strike to Brenden Rice on the ensuing possession. With 16 seconds to play in the first half, Williams completed a 1-yard TD pass to Lake McRee, giving USC a 49-3 halftime lead.

After a scoreless third quarter, Stanford’s Justin Lamson ran in from a yard out for the Cardinal’s first touchdown at 3:35 of the fourth quarter. Miller Moss scored USC’s final touchdown on a 15-yard run with 58 seconds to play,

Williams played only in the first half, passing for 281 yards and three touchdowns while running for another. The Trojans racked up 433 yards of total offense.

Starting quarterback Ashton Daniels was injured while being sacked in the second quarter and was replaced by Lamson, who passed for 121 yards and ran for the Cardinal’s only touchdown. Daniels was 2 of 7 for 19 yards.

Casey Wilkins was the Cardinal’s top rusher with 63 yards on five carries. E.J. Smith ran for 50 yards and Lamson gained 36 yards on 16 carries. Benjamin Yurosek caught four passes for 54 yards. On defense, Collin Wright racked up 10 solo tackles.

Next week, the Cardinal host Sacramento State. Kickoff is at 5 p.m.

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.