calbears.com photo: Cal Bears preview photo with Kareem South (10) ready to take aim as Cal hosts #11 ranked Oregon Ducks at Haas Pavilion on Thursday night
On the Bears podcast with Michael:
#1 The Cal Bears (9-10) defeated the Stanford Cardinal (15-4) it was a game played at Haas Pavilion even though the Bears had the home floor the odds were stacked against Cal and they pulled it out 52-50.
#2 Did Cal head coach Mark Fox had to pull out all the stops against a team like Stanford strategy wise?
#3 Cal went on a 17-2 run against Stanford and not only played catch up ball but the team really caught fire and proved the mind is a powerful thing were driven and won the game against an incredibly good school.
#4 Paris Austin proved to be a big help for Cal leading with 15 points and scoring two crucial free throws that got Cal the victory over the Cardinal.
#5 It doesn’t get any easier for Cal as they host the Oregon Ducks (17-4) at Haas on tonight
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — That noise which always connects itself to a really big football game begins as whispers then morphs into a crescendo of chirpiness as the kickoff approaches.
That noise finally managed to irritate the insular Oregon Ducks.
Not only did their opponent have everything to play for–a BCS berth, a Pac-12 Championship, the unofficial title of Salt Lake’s most formidable team of the new millennium–and the Ducks little if anything, the word was the Utah Utes were the more physical team, with the inference that the Ducks were… soft.
“Quite frankly, I think maybe these guys all week long got a little bit tired of hearing we weren’t the more physical team,” Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said. “It gives you a little bit of an edge.”
That edge grew into a force for Oregon in the first quarter of the Pac-12 Championship Game on Friday. In succession, the Ducks stuffed the Utes on 4th-and-1 at the Oregon 33, forced a three-and-out, blocked a punt, then on Utah’s fourth possession, picked off quarterback Tyler Huntley, who had only thrown two interceptions all season.
Although the Ducks led just 10-0 after the first quarter, the tone had been set. Oregon was settling in, Utah was on its heels–maybe for the first time in 2019.
“We didn’t win the line of scrimmage for the first time all season, which is, like I say, disappointing. Surprising, really,” coach Kyle Whittingham admitted.
The Ducks would increase their lead to 20-0 at the half, then see the Utes surge briefly to trail just 23-15 near the end of the third, only to see the Ducks recharge in the fourth, and sprint to a 37-15 win that sends them to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl as conference champs.
Utah, riding the momentum of being the nation’s most dominate defense team statistically, needed a win Friday to put themselves in prime position for a date with No. 1 LSU in the national semifinals. Instead, the Pac-12 South champs, with 10 players likely headed to the NFL, will settle for yet to be officially determined date in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.
The result was shocking, the numbers even more so.
Utah allowed more than 17 points in a win only once all season, that in their close call at Washington where they prevailed 33-28. In their only loss to USC, they allowed the Trojans 30 points. Other than two, previously-mentioned results, they pitched two shutouts, smashed Oregon State 52-7, pounced on UCLA, 49-3, and stuffed Arizona and Arizona State by a combined score of 56-10.
Huntley put himself into the periphery of the Heisman discussion by throwing 16 touchdowns and only two interceptions. In part, Utah’s defense dominated because their offense never relinquished the ball. Only twice did the Utes fail to win the time of possession–both times by less than a minute in games against UCLA and Northern Illinois they won easily. Utah’s last three wins came by a combined 104 points.
But on Friday, Huntley threw two interceptions while being sacked six times, the time of possession was virtually even, and Utah never snapped the ball inside the Oregon 20-yard line. Yes, no red zone opportunities.
Five, first half Utah possessions reached Oregon’s 40-yard line, but none went past the 30.
Did the bright lights of the moment dull the Utes? Did they get caught looking ahead to Joe Burrow and LSU? Whittingham said no.
“I think our guys handled it the right way,” said Whittingham. “We just didn’t play very well tonight.”
Oregon saw their own national aspirations dashed two weeks earlier in a sluggish loss at Arizona State. Then they looked better, but not much better, in beating Oregon State to conclude the regular season.
Few saw their superior effort on Friday coming. Not even some their own fans in attendance. But on the game’s first possession, the Ducks marched down the field in nine plays, culminating with C.J. Verdell’s 3-yard run for a touchdown. Verdell was just getting started, with Utah as close as they would get, down 23-15, Verdell broke through the line of scrimmage and raced for a 70-yard TD run. As the culmination of Verdell’s night in which he would rush for 208 yards and be named the game’s MVP, he would score a third time to put the game on ice, from 31 yards out with 2:33 remaining.
“It was a little bit of everything. It starts with the players, their commitment to establishing the run,” Cristobal said. “Their film study, the way they practiced this week. The way that the line blocked. The way that (quarterback Justin Herbert) carried out his fakes and ran with the ball as well.”
Utah held 11 of their 12 opponents under 100 yards rushing, only to surrender 239 to Verdell, Herbert and the Ducks.
The Utes loss bring clarity to the BCS picture in that only two scenarios seem plausible heading into the season’s final Saturday. If Georgia can knock off LSU, they’ll be the fourth entrant. If Georgia fails, whoever wins the Big 12, Oklahoma or Baylor, will be in.
For Clemson and Ohio State, a win in their conference championships will land them a date against each other as the brackets No. 2 and 3 seeds. Undefeated LSU will probably qualify, win or lose.
photo from sfgate.com: Utah’s Zack Moss (2) reaches the end zone while scoring one of his two touchdowns in his a win over Cal in Salt Lake City.
On The Cal Bears Football podcast with Morris:
#1 In one of the most difficult games of the season for the Golden Bears (4-4) and no doubt their worst of 2019. The Utah Utes (7-1) went to work on the Cal scoring the opening volley with a touchdown. Running back Zack Moss carried for a 4-yard run at 4:50 in the first quarter.
#2 Cal would remain scoreless in the first half as the Utes would score three more touchdowns in the second quarter on a Utes quarterback Bryan Thompson 40-yard pass to Tyler Huntley, a Jason Shelly 1-yard run, and a Brant Kuithe 1-yard pass to Jason Shelly. At the half, Cal could have asked for the mercy rule. It was 28-0.
#3 In the second half, the Utes picked up one more score in the third quarter at 9:26. Zack Jones carried for ten yards to put the frosting on the cake as the Utes would win it 35-0.
#4 Morris, what best explains best why Cal just simply couldn’t get any offense going and did quarterback Spencer Brasch, who went 7-19 for 47 yards, lack enough time and protection to throw the ball?
#5 Washington State (4-4) is up next. Cougars lost to Oregon on Saturday 37-35 and are 1-4 in their last five games. Taking some of WSU’s defensive issues under consideration, do you see Cal with a light at the end of the tunnel to win this game this coming Saturday?
photo from sfgate.com: California quarterback Devon Modster, left, hands off to running back Christopher Brown Jr. in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, October 19, 2019.
On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:
#1 The Cal Bears (4-3), in the first half of the game, could never make good use once they got into the red zone except to elect to kick a field goal. If not for that, they would have got shutout in the first half of the game by the Oregon State Beavers (3-4).
#2 Here is a Beavers team, whose been on a struggle, came into Berkeley at 2-4 and there’s Cal, who had a lot of confidence. This would be a great building block going forward after losing their last two games to Oregon and ASU.
#3 Did OSU take Cal out of their game in that first half by scoring two first half touchdowns and holding Cal to only a field goal?
#4 OSU won 21-17. Did Beavers quarterback Jake Luton, who threw 18-34 for 174 yards and two touchdowns, get some good protection and some time to throw the ball Saturday?
#5 Cal travels to Utah to face the Utah Utes (6-1) and the Utes are no pushover. They beat ASU (5-2) in their last game 21-3 on the road in Utah. This is a game that might keep Cal head coach Justin Wilcox up all week.
photo from calbears.com: The Cal Bears Deandae Johnson sacks Oregon QB Justin Herbert in the October 5th
On the Cal Bears (4-2) Football podcast with Morris:
#1 Morris, Cal head coach Justin Wilcox reflected on the tough loss in their last game October 5th at Oregon (4-1) saying “It’s not one person, the way we meet, the extra work they do” referring to the work ethic of the team was that element lacking referring to the loss to the Ducks on the 5th?
#2 Morris, talk about Cal’s defensive backfield: Ashtyn Davis, Jaylinn Hawkins, Trey Turner III, Treyvon Beck, Josh Drayden, Camryn Bynum, and Elijah Hicks. How much of a percentage you would put on the game in Oregon that defense was there or not there?
#3 How much pressure will be on David Modster to get it done this coming Saturday. He just wasn’t able to get some of the passes he wanted in Oregon last game.
#4 Modster will get a chance to throw against Oregon State (2-4). Oregon State had their heads handed to them in their last game by the Utah Utes (5-1) 52-7 nearly getting shutout. Could Modster have a game like that throwing for scores all day?
#5 Lastly, talk about coach Wilcox’s game plan the Bears need a lot more offense than they got in Oregon and how sore is the wounded Golden Bear that wants to come out with a vengeance on Saturday?
bearinsider.com photo: Cal Bears defensive back Jaylinn Hawkins (6) and defensive back Erik Harutyunyan (26) got some joy before Oregon put the kibosh on the Bears happiness with a 17-7 win at Oregon on Saturday.
On the Cal football podcast with Morris Phillips:
#1 Another tough loss for Cal quarterback David Modster, who threw two picks. How much did the turnover play a role in the lack of offense against Oregon?
#2 How tough of a role was it for Modster to step into throwing 17-34, 190 yards and one touchdown.
#3 Knowing head coach Justin Wilcox, he really wanted to set up some kind of rally down 10 points to get back into this game. How uphill was his game plan to execute?
#4 Oregon is noted for its tough defense and they succeeded with holding Cal to just a touchdown. Talk about how the Ducks were able to stop the run?
#5 Oregon State comes to Cal Saturday Oct 19th. There’s no doubt that Modster wants to avoid the interception and get the scoring up. How much of a workload does he have this Saturday?
from sfgate.com: Chase Garbers #7 of the California Golden Bears throws a 16 yard touchdown pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first quarter of an NCAA football game at California Memorial Stadium on September 27, 2019 in Berkeley, California.
On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:
#1 Talk about how bad the shoulder is for quarterback Chase Garbers. Will he be able to play against the Oregon Ducks this Saturday?
#2 ASU head coach Herm Edwards is a miracle worker of sorts. He’s got the Sun Devils believing in themselves and they beat 15th ranked Cal 24-17 and have improved to 4-1.
#3 It’s been an improved year for Cal in spite of the loss to ASU, they lost by a touchdown, and this season, what improvements that the Bears have done have been the most impressive?
#4 It was a game that saw the score tied after each of the three quarters. The Bears had home field, was it a matter of time ran out for Cal or ASU looked like they would squeak this one out?
#5 Cal now heads to Oregon to face the Ducks, who defeated Stanford in their last 21-6. The Ducks have Justin Herbert at quarterback who threw 19-24 for 259 yards and three touchdowns, Herbert and the Ducks could be a handful next Saturday?
Obviously, it’s no surprise that true freshmen are getting to contribute for the Stanford football team. Last year, the NCAA adopted a new redshirt rule that allows them to play in four games without losing a year of eligibility.
Typically, freshmen are spoon-fed and sprinkled into the lineup. Due to injuries, the process has been ramped up. At UCF last Saturday, 13 played in the game.
“It’s very exciting,” said frosh running back Austin Jones, who scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 35-yard run. “The fact that we can go in there and make plays and have fun, that’s what I want everyone on this team to do.”
Walter Rouse, a top offensive line recruit, figured he would receive playing time this season, but not this quickly. When starting left tackle Walker Little was lost for the season late in the game against Northwestern, Rouse got the call and has started the last two games.
“I was the next man up and you have to take it head on,” Rouse said.
Rouse’s first start came at USC under the lights in a nationally televised game.
“I’ve just been taking it day by day,” said Rouse. “My teammates and coach (Kevin) Carberry have been helping me along and each day I’m trying to learn and get better. I’m getting more comfortable being out there and I’m starting to play more instead of just thinking.”
Jonathan McGill, a safety, made a big play last week, scooping up a fumble and returning it 28 yards for his first collegiate touchdown.
“It was just a freaky accident,” McGill said. “I was really supposed to be closer to the line of scrimmage. Right before the quarterback snapped the ball, I came into the box and the ball started bouncing. I just sprinted to it and the ball tipped my way, so I picked it up and ran to the end zone. That was a pretty fun moment and I wish it would have come sooner.”
McGill attended the same high school (Coppell) as former Cardinal standout Solomon Thomas, now a San Francisco 49er. As a group, McGill said the freshmen are embracing their early playing time.
“Coming in this summer, we had a group chat and were talking about potentially playing with the redshirt rule, so we knew we were probably seeing the field once or twice,” said McGill. “Injuries happen and it’s the next up mentality.”
“The upperclassmen did a really great job of introducing us to the system and we had player-led meetings that helped us grasp the system. They really helped us out and gave us the confidence to get on the field.”
The first time McGill stepped on campus and met his future teammates, he felt something special.
“The vets took us under their wing and set the standard,” McGill said. “We really came in just wanting to learn. I think what really separates Stanford from a lot of schools is that the upperclassmen don’t distance themselves from the younger guys. They’ve done a great job helping us out.”
Photo credit: gostanford.com
The freshman class is tight and took pride in seeing Jones score last Saturday.
“Everybody on the sideline was going crazy,” McGill said. “But it meant a little more to us seeing one of our guys make a huge play.”
Although Stanford (1-2, 0-1 Pac-12) hoped for a better start against a challenging schedule, veteran players are appreciative of what the freshmen have done and expect more good things on Saturday against No. 16 Oregon (2-1, 0-0 Pac-12).
“I’ve been really impressed how they have stepped up, some in pretty big roles,” said junior tight end Colby Parkinson. “I think it’s a testament to how hard they worked during the summer. I know the older guys wanted to bring them up to speed as fast as we could. It’s cool to see.”
Added junior center Drew Dalman: “The whole mentality this offseason was getting everybody ready, not just the freshmen. We know these seasons take everybody, especially on the offensive line, which is a position where sometimes people get dinged up so guys have to be ready to play. They’ve been awesome.”
Jones has leaned on fifth-year senior Cameron Scarlett and senior Dorian Maddox for advice.
“Austin and Nate (Peat) have been like sponges trying to soak up as much as they can,” Scarlett said. “We’ve just tried to instill some of the things Coach G (running backs coach, Ron Gould) teaches us like being physical, running with a purpose, breaking tackles, being great with our eyes and being calm in the chaos.
“I told them you’re going to get your opportunity. When you do, capitalize and make the most of it.”
Jones did against UCF. He gained a team-high 65 yards on seven carries. The touchdown is still a blur.
“Surreal moment,” said Jones. “When I came off the field, I celebrated with my teammates, but I didn’t really realize I had scored. It didn’t really sink in until I walked out to kick off and I was like, ‘Man, I just scored my first college touchdown.’ It was like a dream come true for me.”
The moment wasn’t too big, thanks to mentoring from Scarlett and Maddox.
“Cam and Dorian have been a big help,” Jones said. “They’ve been telling me everything I need to read on the plays and to just be yourself and play your game. Once you get on the field, be you.”
In Dalman’s mind, they are no longer freshmen.
“The people on the field are the guys we trust, regardless of age or experience,” said Dalman. “If you’re in a Stanford jersey, we’ve got to trust you and we will.”
INJURY UPDATE: Help could be forthcoming for the Cardinal. Following Wednesday’s practice, David Shaw, the Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football, said junior starting right tackle Foster Sarell is “probable,” senior offensive guard Dylan Powell is “doubtful,” and senior starting inside linebacker Andrew Pryts is “really close” for Saturday against the Ducks. He previously announced that freshman Branson Bragg is out indefinitely.
TIGHTEN UP: In three games, Stanford has surrendered 18 plays of 20 yards or more.
“That’s not us,” Shaw said. “We’re built to be better than that.”
The defense will be tested by Oregon, sparked by senior quarterback Justin Herbert and a list of playmakers.
“He’s got pure talent,” said Shaw. “He’s a great college quarterback and will be a great quarterback at the next level.”
Stanford must make Herbert uncomfortable and limit big plays. He has thrown for 11 touchdowns and hasn’t been intercepted in his last 150 attempts, dating back to last season.
“Our job is to keep them out of the end zone,” Shaw said.
Photo credit: gostanford.com
NEAR MISSES: The Cardinal offense has had chances to make big plays in every game and looks to cash in Saturday.
“It is definitely frustrating,” said junior wide receiver Connor Wedington. “It is also a part of the game. Practice makes perfect. At the end of the day, getting more reps before practice and after practice is what is going to make things click.”
Added senior quarterback K.J. Costello, “Nobody knows what we can do on offense because we haven’t done it yet.”
OVERTIME SHOCKER: Parkinson caught the game-winning touchdown from Costello in overtime last year in Eugene to lift Stanford to an improbable 38-31 comeback victory against Oregon. The Cardinal trailed 24-7 at halftime and was down by 10 points with 90 seconds left in regulation.
“Not necessarily the game itself but more the atmosphere and how we felt as a team in the second half,” Parkinson said, when asked what he recalled most. “The belief and no-doubt feeling that we were going to come back. It’s something that we draw on a lot. The feeling of unity in the second half was second to none.”
Photo credit: gostanford.com
Dream realized that Costello is still smiling after meeting Tiger Woods last Saturday at the UCF game.
“It was so cool,” said Costello, who competed in junior golf and is a scratch player. “I’ve been a fan my entire life. He was probably the first athlete that I adored. Just the way he walked around. I remember going to junior tournaments wearing the same (Sunday) red.”
SET THE EXPECTATION: Saturday’s theme is Sexual and Relationship Violence Awareness. Additional themes include New Student Orientation, Hall of Fame recognition and presentation of the Capital One Cup.
Photo credit: gostanford.com
EXTRA POINTS: Shaw described the Tuesday and Wednesday practices as “spirited” … Under Shaw, the Cardinal is 20-7 coming off a loss and 5-0 after consecutive losses … Stanford has won the last three meetings against Oregon … The Cardinal hasn’t allowed a first quarter touchdown in five of the last six games … Parkinson leads Stanford with 17 receptions, followed by Wedington with 15 … The Cardinal has been outscored, 31-14, in the first quarter … Former Stanford head coach John Ralston, who guided the program to Rose Bowl wins in 1971 and 1972, will be recognized. He passed away last week.
QUOTE: “We’ve got to do what we do and play our style of football.” — Senior outside linebacker Jordan Fox
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