Bear Territory : California CF25

**bayers3** · 11-22-2024, 12:25 AM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

BERKELEY, CA - The #11 Utes came into Berkeley facing a daunting task against a somewhat familiar opponent, the former Pac-12 members would face off in an interesting matchup on paper. Cal would be coming off a seriously lopsided 83-17 win over #23 Tennessee, so even though Utah was close to being in the Top 10 it wouldn’t mean that this game would be much better. The Golden Bears have started off where they finished last season, and Utah head coach Morgan Scalley would have his hands full.

“This is definitely a different kind of team from the one we faced in the Pac-12” said Scalley before the game, “but we are going to stick to our game and stay true to our gameplan.”

Taking the opening kickoff, Utah showed that whatever their plan was it was working out of the game. A solid drive from QB Rodney Denbow would see the Utes make it all the way down the field to face a 3rd & Goal from the 6. With HB Arthur Levine having a good opening drive, a play action pass seemed like the right move to catch Cal off guard. Unfortunately Cal DT Ben Nicholson was not fooled, and a sack turned it into 4th & Goal from the 13. K Bryce Keating would come on and kick a 30-yard FG to give the Utes a 3-0 lead.

It would be their last score over four brutal quarters, leaving Utah fans heading for the exits early.

It’s hard to say where things went so poorly for Utah, but after that first drive Cal were able to make adjustments that basically shut down Utah’s offense, and the Utes never had an answer for Cal’s offense.

WR George Cheeseman would have two TD in the 1st quarter, one from 53 yards out and one from 14 yards on a Jet Touch Pass that had him walking into the endzone. Utah would have a great punt after their third possession, pinning Cal at their own 6, but it would take Cal just two plays to make it 21-3. An 84-yard bomb to WR Darryl Hawkinson would leave Scalley wondering if there was anything they could do to stop the Golden Bears.

If adjustments were made by Utah after the 1st quarter, they somehow made things worse. As Utah abandoned their run game, which was doing well but not well enough to keep the chains moving, it fell right into Cal’s strengths on defense.

With the game in Denbow’s hands, they accelerated toward a historic beating as Cal’s defensive line started to get to the QB and get the turnovers flowing. A LOLB Taylor Webb interception gave Cal the ball on their own 19, and that drive would end with a 21-yard HB Deuce Linwood TD run. More sacks, and more Cheeseman would come, with the WR catching two more TD passes. Cal would enter the half with five sacks, and Cheeseman would have 229 yards and 4TD on just seven receptions.

Utah would come out for the 3rd down 49-3, and with the way things were going Scalley would have to choose between limiting the damage and going all-in on trying to get back in the game. Denbow would be given another chance to try and get back in the game, but things just got so much worse and the game spiraled out of control.

HB Larry Hall would score a 1-yard TD run after Cal received the second half kickoff, and then Denbow would put them right back in the endzone on the first play of their drive. Trying to throw for a 1st down, Denbow would find SS Tremayne Landman instead. Landman would have a wide open field for a 31-yard pick six and a 63-3 lead before the 3rd quarter was even half way through.

Landman’s pick-six helped heap more misery on the Utes.

The next drive, Utah would move the ball well but Denbow would be intercepted once again. This time it was MLB Josh Sanford on the 1 yard line, and Utah couldn’t even catch a break there with Sanford escaping to Cal’s 49. A 17-yard TD pass to Hawkinson would push it to 70-3, and then CB Joey Eddie would intercept Denbow and put Cal back on their own 31.

Cal, now exclusively running the ball, would finally be stopped by failing to convert a 4th & 2 just before the 4th quarter.

Denbow, somehow still in the game, would finally break Scalley with his 5th interception of the game. CB Jamison Dyer would be the man this time, making it 5INT for the beleaguered passer. He would have to watch Linwood run for a 65-yard TD, and he would not come out again with QB Anthony Trainer taking his place.

Trainer wouldn’t do much better, though he would manage to complete nearly as many passes in just a single quarter of work. He’d also be intercepted, this time by FS Scoot Henderson, which would immediately lead to a 70-yard TD run by QB Duane Dinson. One last Utah drive would end in a punt, and HC Tosh Lupoi would have mercy on Utah by running the clock out for an eye-watering 98-3 win.

THE TAKEAWAY

Coaches across the country are going to need to study this game as an example of what not to do against Cal. Six turnovers is clearly not the way to go, but Utah’s defense was an absolute sieve today. This game was like facing wet toilet paper for Cal, who rolled up 1,074 yards of offense compared to Utah’s 308. It might be more frightening that those 1,000+ yards came from a balanced attack, with Dinson (552 yards, 7TD) and the ground game (522 yards, 6TD) making it look like they were playing against an empty field.

UP NEXT

California : Home against UCF.

**bayers3** · 11-22-2024, 06:51 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

BERKELEY, CA - The UCF Golden Knights headed to Memorial Stadium with a massive weight on their shoulders, any program facing a team that started the season by scoring 83 and 98 points would feel the pressure. This is not the kind of game you want to travel across the country for.

The Golden Knights would take the opening kickoff and put their hurry-up offense on the field first, but right out of the gate it would be a hurry-up-and-get-off-the-field approach to the game. A good punt would start Cal on their own 16, but Golden Bears fans would know that wouldn’t be much of a barrier to getting into the endzone. Four plays later, TE DaShaun Peters would catch a 17-yard TD pass and the rout would be on.

WR George Cheeseman would be next with a 35-yard catch, making it 14-0 before the Golden Knights would wake up and get things going.

Their best drive of the 1st quarter would get them down to the California 16, but a sack by LE Karl Haggan would turn it into a 4th & 17 from the 23. K Taylor Perrizo would hit a 40-yard FG to end the shutout, but UCF would need a lot more and fast.

The 1st quarter would turn into a painful pattern for the visitors, with UCF constantly putting Cal back on the field. Their hurry-up offense was really good at preserving the clock, giving the Golden Bears plenty of time to get on the field and score.

HB Deuce Linwood would run in his first TD of the day early in the 2nd quarter, and then the Golden Knights would get really familiar with watching QB Duane Dinson throw long TD passes. Cheeseman would add two more, 78-yard and 61-yard TDs, before Perrizo would hit a 27-yard FG to break up the constant scoring. The ensuing kickoff would put Cal on their own 15 with 0:02 seconds left in the half, with most of UCF heading for the locker room Dinson would hit WR Darryl Hawkinson for a 75-yard TD that would leave UCF’s coaching staff speechless.

Down 42-6, UCF would also be looking at a massive disparity in offensive yards. Cal would roll up 445 yards of offense in the 1st half, with UCF managing just 182 and only two FG to show for it.

The second half kickoff would go to Cal, but UCF would get the ball back pretty quickly in the worst way possible. It took just three plays to go 75 yards, finishing up with a 66-yard pass to Hawkinson. Perrizo would add his third FG on the next drive, this time from 19 yards out, and amazingly things would actually get worse for the visitors in the 4th.

Linwood would log a 1-yard TD run just before the start of the 4th quarter, and with Cal going exclusively to their running game you might have expected the scoring to settle down. Sadly, that would not be true as UCF QB Riley Trujillo would be subbed out for QB Anthony Suggs. Suggs would learn about Cal’s defense the hard way.

A fantastic punt by UCF would put Cal on their own 1 yard line, but that would only force Cal to run more plays before scoring yet again. 99 yards later, Linwood would score an 18-yard TD run for his third of the day. On the very next offensive play, Suggs would rush a pass with DT Ben Nicholson bearing down on him and find LOLB Taylor Webb for a 36-yard pick six.

Webb continues Cal’s tradition of defensive scoring.

The next drive wouldn’t be much better, with Suggs hitting CB Jamison Dyer on a deep ball down the sidelines into double coverage. The turnover would become a 14-yard Linwood run, and by this point most UCF fans had left while the Golden Knights looked like they just wanted to get off the field.

Sadly, Dinson would score two more TD in the 4th, both on the ground, for a 35-point quarter that would make it two games in a row scoring 90 or more.

THE TAKEAWAY

The late turnovers helped Cal get to 90, but this game was over long before that. Dinson totalled 525 yards and 6TD on just 21 completions, with all but two going to Cheeseman (10/263 3TD) and Hawkinson (9/227 2TD) as UCF just had no answer for them. Linwood enjoyed his second 200+ yard outing, with 202 and 4TD on 25 carries. Dinson also got in on the rushing, finishing with 149 yards and 2TD on 14 carries. OC Marshall Claremon has revived Cal’s running game, this team really looks unbeatable at this point.

UP NEXT

California : Home against Tulane.

**bayers3** · 11-23-2024, 12:22 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

**bayers3** · 11-25-2024, 11:31 AM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

BERKELEY, CA - Cal, facing their third ranked opponent of the season, would welcome the Tulane Green Wave to Memorial Stadium today. The Golden Bears are flying high, averaging a tad over 90 points a game coming off a national title. Tulane has stumbled early this season, coming in 2-1 but just barely sticking in the Top 25 at #23.

This game turned out to be a perfect example of what the Golden Bears would like to achieve in terms of a game plan, barring an officiating mistake, this could be seen as their blueprint for success in 2028.

Cal made this game 21-0 before Tulane even really knew what was happening, and they did it with a small handful of plays. Their opening drive last an eternity for them, five plays, and ended with a 15-yard TD pass to WR Andre Onwenu. After a quick three-and-out by Tulane, Cal only needed a single play to go 91 yards. WR George Cheeseman would haul in a long pass and sprint for his first TD of the game. Their next drive he would catch a 77-yard pass to get them to 21 points.

Tulane finally got on the board thanks to the officials, and it came off the back of a gut-punch type turnover. QB Zachery Jennings would be intercepted by FS Scoot Henderson in the endzone, and in the process of staying in the endzone the refs would rule that he stepped out and award a safety to Tulane. Some shouting from Tosh Lupoi didn’t do much good, and to make things worse Tulane would use the improved field position to score again. HB Fred Longacre would run it in from a yard out to make it 21-9 and get the Green Wave out of a frustrating 1st quarter.

The 2nd quarter wouldn’t be much better, in fact in some ways it would be much worse.

The Green Wave would have more possessions end with turnovers than punts in the 2nd, with Cal taking advantage of almost every single one to score a TD. WR Darry Hawksinson would catch a 27-yard TD pass to start the scoring, and the next Tulane drive would end with an interception by MLB Josh Sanford. That turnover would turn into a 32-yard TD pass to Hawksinson to make it 35-9.

Jenning would come back out with one of his best drives of the game, going 5/5 to get the Green Wave into Cal territory. The problem was his 6th pass, a deep pass down the sideline with the intent of taking a shot at the endzone. Instead of a TD, he’d find CB Jamison Dyerwho would come down in the endzone for a touchback.

Dyer’s pick robbed Tulane of a shot at the endzone.

Tulane would catch a break coming off that turnover, with QB Duane Dinson getting in on the act as well. Dinson would try to hit TE DaShaun Peters over the middle, but MLB Frederick Beard would slip under the pass and pick off Dinson for the first time this season. They wouldn’t be able to capitalize off the turnover, punting the ball away to watch Cal come right back down and score with a 3-yard run by HB Deuce Linwood.

The 2nd quarter would end on the final gut punch of the first half. With Jennings scrambling, he would throw a pass toward the sidelines but find LOLB Taylor Webb instead. The pick would turn into a 26-yard pick-six and send Tulane into halftime down 49-9.

The second half would be very boring in terms of play calling, with Cal dominating the game they finished the rest of the game without throwing a single pass. A 33-yard TD run by Dinson and two 4th quarter runs by HB Larry Hall would be Cal’s only scores for the rest of the game, more than enough to cancel out K Ian Helmcke’s 45-yard FG.

THE TAKEAWAY

The Golden Bears have gone from winning with fireworks to winning with strength, their second half showed the power running game of the Justin Wilcox era is back and a viable option for closing out games. Defensively, Cal has looked extremely solid to start the year and sacks are starting to flow. RE Marvin Wile would finish the game with (3) sacks in a dominant outing.

UP NEXT

California : Home against Miami.

**redsox907** · 11-25-2024, 09:29 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

You guys are the greatest show on turf....on steroids

**bayers3** · 11-26-2024, 12:21 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

Originally posted by redsox907

You guys are the greatest show on turf....on steroids

Figuring out how to defend (as cheesy as it is) has pushed the scores out of control, even when I try to only run the ball in the second half.

**bayers3** · 11-26-2024, 12:25 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

BERKELEY, CA - Cal’s ACC opener would certainly be tantalizing on paper, with #13 Miami back in Berkeley along with College Game Day the campus would be buzzing with activity. Despite the hype, this game would likely mean more to Miami than Cal. Cal has firmly established themselves as the best team in the nation and continues to play at the same level seen last year. The Hurricanes would either need a win, or avoid a blowout, to show they are in the mix for the ACC title game or a playoff berth. The ACC is also looking good early in the season, with seven ranked teams and six unbeatens the conference is slowly crawling back to national prominence.

HC Mario Cristobal nearly got a perfect start to this game, receiving the opening kickoff and taking the ball down the field to threaten the endzone. Cal’s defense stiffened up and pushed them into a field goal attempt, but Cristobal’s start would be ruined when K Christian Trout would hit the left upright on his 36-yard attempt and come up empty handed.

The Golden Bears would come back and score on a 1-yard HB Deuce Linwood run, but the Hurricanes would succeed in slowing down the explosive Bears’ offense. By eating up the clock with the ball in their hands, Miami would hold the 1st quarter to a 7-0 score.

The 2nd quarter would be very different for both teams, but Miami would fall into the ball security trap and pay dearly.

QB Duane Dinson would have his first TD pass of the game, hitting TE DaShaun Peters with a short 3-yard pass before Miami would drive right back down the field. QB Judd Anderson would escape the pocket and try to run for a first down, but he would be caught short and be stuck with 4th & Inches. Trout would not miss this time, drilling a 43-yard FG to end the shutout.

Getting on the scoreboard would lose its luster when Cal’s first offensive play of the next drive would be an 86-yard TD pass to WR George Cheeseman. Miami would put together a few completed passes on the next drive, getting right to the 50 before star HB Jamal Brooks would make the mistake of trying to fight through a tackle. Brooks would be held up and take a big hit from MLB Josh Sanford, sending the ball flying loose to be scooped up by DT Ben Nicholson.

Brooks’ fumble proved costly for an overwhelmed Hurricanes offense.

With the ball on their own 48, Cal wouldn’t take long to strike back. Three plays later, Dinson would hit Cheeseman for a 49-yard TD and stretch their lead to 28-3. Miami would respond well, with Anderson enjoying a solid day in terms of completion percentage, and grind down the field for a 13-yard TD pass to WR Leo Jacobs. Cal would restore their 25-point lead just before the half with Linwood running it in from 8 yards out.

Down 35-10, the second half would turn into a frustrating affair for Cristobal and the Hurricanes. They would get an early preview with the first drive of the half, Cal would go 86 yards in nine plays and score with a 44-yard TD run by Dinson. Every single play was a run, and Miami wouldn’t see anything but run plays for the entire second half.

The Hurricanes would be shut out across the rest of the game, and Cal would put in all of their backups in the 4th to salt this one away.

Miami would be fairly efficient all day, despite the one turnover, with Anderson (12/20) and backup QB Tyrell Carney (7/10) completing most of their passes. The issue for Miami was the lack of downfield passing and a running game that could barely get out of the backfield. Brooks would finish with just 43 yards on 21 carries as Cal’s defense was quick to stop the run.

THE TAKEAWAY

Dinson only needed to be 17/18 to pass for 363 yards and 3TD, giving Cal a big enough lead to go to an all-rushing attack in the 2nd half of this game. Their defense was excellent, with Hurricanes’ star WR Richard Stewart nearly vanishing thanks to a single reception for 6 yards. The ACC could be in trouble again if Miami represents the tier of schools trying to knock Cal off their perch.

UP NEXT

California : Home against Syracuse.

**bayers3** · 11-26-2024, 04:56 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

BERKELEY, CA - After taking down Miami, Syracuse would head to Memorial Stadium with the aim of continuing some early season momentum after starting 3-1. They would be facing the worst team possible for their own ACC opener, it seems like nobody can escape Cal without taking a beating.

If HC Wyatt Emmett was just looking to get out of this game without embarrassing themselves, the Orange’s opening quarter did little to help with that.

Syracuse would receive the opening kickoff and give the ball back to Cal just a handful of plays later. CB Joey Eddie would catch HB Dylan Van Buren trying to get to the edge and swat the ball out of his hands, SS Carter Schultz would be right there to land on it and put Cal on their own 37. That turnover would turn into a 48-yard TD pass to WR George Cheeseman, getting the ball rolling on a very regrettable first half for the visitors.

Syracuse would have little going on offense an would have to sit back and watch Cal run out to a 21-0 lead. A 40-yard pass to WR Andre Onwenu and a 1-yard run by HB Deuce Linwood would cap off the 1st quarter scoring.

The Orange would finally break the shutout near the start of the 2nd quarter, with K Anthony Charbonnet hitting a 17-yard FG, but they would continue to be haunted by Cheeseman as their secondary just couldn’t find an answer for him.

A 46-yard TD pass to Cheeseman would quickly put Syracuse’s offense back on the field, but a DT Ben Nicholson sack would force a punt on 4th & 17 that would leave Emmett fuming. The punt would be a high wobbler that would barely go anywhere, giving Cal the ball on their own 37 instead of pinning them deep. Perhaps it was a moot point, because a few plays later Dinson would hit a wide open Cheeseman for a 62-yard TD.

The next drive Syracuse would manage another FG, this time from 42 yards out, but their inability to even slow down Cal would just see them lose even more ground. A 2-yard pass to TE DaShaun Peters and yet another deep pass to Cheeseman, this time from 52 yards out, would send Syracuse into the half down 49-6. Cal would have 534 yards of offense compared to Syracuse’s 271 at the break.

Cheeseman would be dominant yet again.

Just like the Miami game, Syracuse would face nothing but rushing plays after the half as the Golden Bears flat out ran over them to close out the game.

Two 4th quarter interceptions, one by MLB Josh Sanford and one by ROLB Jabari Uwaezuoke, would help Cal score 21 points late in the game to push them close to another 90-point outing.

THE TAKEAWAY

A near perfect game by Cal, with only a shutout eluding them. Dinson was literally perfect, going 20/20 for 503 yards and 6TD with most of it going to Cheeseman. The former Heisman winner would finish the first half with 11 receptions for 376 yards and 4TD.

UP NEXT

California : Home against Louisville.

**bayers3** · 11-27-2024, 03:32 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

The 2028 race is starting to look like a broken record as the Golden Bears continue to blast everyone they face. Familiar faces from the 2027 race have risen to the top, and it’s hard to see anyone else winning it but last years’ winner. Cal has a near monopoly on this award.

TOP CONTENDERS

California QB Duane Dinson

Total Points : 64 (First Place Votes : 11)

The departure of OC Justin Burke has had little to no effect on Dinson, if anything he’s been better under Marshall Claremont as Cal’s offense becomes more balanced. His scrambling and designed run plays have added even more versatility to his game, and it has allowed him to become even more efficient while staying clear of locking on to a receiver. He is second in the nation in rushing yards (692), and tied for second (11) in rushing TD. His 38:1 TD:INT ratio is particularly impressive, he’s the best QB in the nation and it isn’t even close.

Heisman Moment : Just about every game, it depends on what you are impressed by. You like efficiency? Going 20/20 with 503 passing yards and 6TD along with 52 rushing yards and 2TD on 8 carries against Syracuse. You like big numbers? 21/23 for 525 passing yards and 6TD along with 149 rushing yards and 2TD on 14 carries against UCF. You get the picture, and with each game Las Vegas rushes out to adjust the line. It’s getting harder and harder to pick anyone but him to become the second two-time Heisman winner.

Key Stat : Once again… pick one, he’s dominating the nation in all of the important passing stats.

ESPN BET Heisman Odds : -350

Trend : Steady

California WR George Cheeseman

Total Points : 58 (First Place Votes : 3)

Cheeseman continues to be excellent, firmly asserting himself as the nation’s top receiver. He’s rapidly pulling away from everyone, even WR Darry Hawkinson, and he’s on pace for over 3,000 receiving yards just during the regular season. If it weren’t for Dinson’s rushing totals he might have a shot at topping his QB, but the way things are going it’s hard to see him slipping into the #1 spot.

Heisman Moment : 376 yards and 4TD on 11 receptions against Syracuse.

Key Stat : 1,839 receiving yards and 20TD. He’s averaging 262.7 yards per game, and has yet to drop below 200 receiving yards. He cannot be stopped.

ESPN BET Heisman Odds : +250

Trend : Steady

California WR Darryl Hawkinson

Total Points : 40 (First Place Votes : 0)

If anyone has lost ground under Claremont, it’s Hawkinson. He’s still having a great season, and if it wasn’t for Cheeseman he would be a solid #2, but every time he has a great game Cheeseman has a better one. Many receivers would kill to have a “down” year like this, but at this rate there is no way he can pass either of his teammates.

Heisman Moment : 227 receiving yards and 2TD on 9 receptions against UCF.

Key Stat : 1,075 receiving yards, second in the nation.

ESPN BET Heisman Odds : +500

Trend : Steady

California HB Deuce Linwood

Total Points : 30 (First Place Votes : 0)

The switch from Burke to Claremont has benefited Linwood the most, with Cal committing more to the run game Linwood has burst onto the national scene as the nation’s top HB. If Cal can make another deep run, or appear in the national title game, he has a shot at eclipsing Barry Sanders’ legendary single-season rushing yards and TD mark. The long odds for him to win it are mostly due to the players above him, but Dinson is currently the 2nd best rusher in the nation. It’s hard to put Linwood above someone doing 75% of his production on the ground while adding nearly 500 passing yards a game.

Heisman Moment : 261 yards and 2TD on 24 carries against Utah. Linwood has been very consistent, but this is the only game where he was able to break off a truly long TD run (65 yards).

Key Stat : 1,146 yards. At this pace he is putting Barry Sanders’ record shattering single-season record(s) in danger. He also has 14TD, tops in the nation.

ESPN BET Heisman Odds : +1500

Trend : Rising

USC WR Elliot Schulters

Total Points : 15 (First Place Votes : 0)

Schulters is the token WR riding a hot TD reception streak, but he isn’t showing the kind of consistency found in Berkeley. The Trojans receiver had 425 receiving yards and 7TD over a three game span, helping to keep USC afloat in two of them, but he’s fallen back to earth as teams adjust to contain him.

Heisman Moment : 143 yards and 2TD against Michigan in a tough 49-45 loss.

Key Stat : 11TD and 121 yards per game, both 3rd in the nation.

ESPN BET Heisman Odds : +2500

Trend : Down

**bayers3** · 11-28-2024, 10:34 AM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

Tosh Lupoi has done a great job coming off Cal’s first national title, with a second one becoming a real possibility nobody has more momentum on the recruiting trail than the Golden Bears. Landing early signatures from seven five-star prospects has rocketed the Golden Bears to the top of the recruiting ranks, and the addition of several excellent four-star prospects Tupoi is on pace to finish the season with the best class in the nation.

It’s nearly impossible to have a direct replacement for WR George Cheeseman, but the 6’4 Marcus Washington is about as close as anyone could hope for. A tall player with the kind of speed to take the top off any defense, the future of Cal’s receiving corps is very bright. ROLB Tim Hunt is also an exciting prospect, with Cal getting so much out of their linebackers he might be the next defensive star for the Golden Bears.

ESPN 300 Commits : 16
Top Offensive Prospect : WR Marcus Washington
Top Defensive Prospect : LE Marques Busby

Current Ranking : 1st

TOP TARGETS

**bayers3** · 11-28-2024, 05:54 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

BERKELEY, CA - Cal HC Tosh Lupoi would finally come to the end of the nation’s longest home game streak, a streak that has helped the Golden Bears remain #1 and undefeated while barely breaking a sweat in any of their games. With a trip to Clemson next week, many pointed out this game as a potential trap, but so far Tupoi has managed to keep his team focused on a week-to-week basis.

“I’m not particularly interested in ‘traps’ right now,” said Cardinals first year head coach Matt Ashley “we are focused on playing to our potential and avoiding a loss of focus on our end.”

Ashley may have come in with confidence because Louisville had something Cal has had trouble dealing with; a scrambling QB who is also a good passer. That confidence would be tested right out of the gate with Cal receiving the opening kickoff.

It wouldn’t take QB Duane Dinson long to start Cal with a lead, needing just five plays to hit WR Darryl Hawksinson for a 43-yard TD. If the Cardinals’ defense couldn’t at least slow down Cal, having a scrambling passer wouldn’t mean all that much with Cal quickly pulling away.

Louisville QB George West would live up to the early game billing, going 4/5 passing and scrambling for two first downs before Louisville’s offense would stall on the 25. K Jamerson Mallory would easily hit a 40-yard FG to take something from the drive, but they would need more than 3 on each possession to keep up.

The remainder of the 1st quarter would just be a harsh reminder to Ashley that his defense was not up to the task today. A series of disappointing drives, none of which crossed the 50, would at least give Cal a full field between them and the endzone. That turned out to be a low barrier for the Dinson-Cheeseman connection.

First Dinson would hit WR George Cheeseman for an 84-yard TD, followed by a 16-yard pass to TE DeShaun Peters, and the quarter would close out with a disheartening 80-yard pass to Cheeseman on an RPO bubble route that would leave Ashley furious with his defense.

Cal came right back with more to start the 2nd quarter after dropping 28 points on Louisville, WR Andrew Onwenu would score on a 16-yard touch pass that would leave the Louisville defense looking lost. West would at least respond well, leading a 13-play 77-yard drive that ended with a HB Jahlil Hageman 1-yard TD run. Finally getting into the endzone seemed to be an important milestone, but Cal came right back and wipes it out with a 3-yard TD run by Dinson. Louisville would run out of time in the half to try for the endzone, instead opting to kick a 27-yard FG to end the half.

The second half went very much like the Miami and Syracuse games, with Cal doing nothing but running the ball. The only difference is that Lupoi and DC Tre Watson would have some heated words with the defense following the 4th quarter.

With the game well out of hand Ashley would take out West, who finished a solid 26/30 for 234 and no turnovers, and put in QB Quincy Kaddu. Kaddu, while not nearly as good at passing, was a much more dangerous runner than West. His first act would be to drive Louisville down the field on a 13-play 74-yard drive and score on his own with a 13-yard run that would leave many Cal players standing around watching him do it.

After trying to run out the clock, Cal would end up giving Louisville enough time for another long drive. This time Kaddu would go 74 yards again, but in only 10 plays, and once again run it in himself from 4 yards out. Again the Cal defense would just stand around and let him walk in, sending Lupoi out on the field to question their drive.

While Cal still won by 30, the 33 points allowed were their worst mark of the season so far.

THE TAKEAWAY

The Golden Bears didn’t need to do much once again and walked away with an easy victory. The defensive response late in the game is concerning, even if it was mostly backups, if they are going to stand around doing nothing when a QB runs they are going to see a lot of QBs take off running on them.

UP NEXT

California : Away at Clemson.

**redsox907** · 11-28-2024, 06:28 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

A possible chink in the armor??? Even Saban was done in by running QBs

But that would require a team to contain your offense which hasn't happened in the last year and a half with Dinson at QB

**bayers3** · 11-29-2024, 12:36 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

CLEMSON, SC - After giving up 33 points to Louisville there was some hype that a trip to Clemson could finally topple Cal, even though the Golden Bears entered as heavy favorites a #23 Tigers team seemed like a good opening. Another issue would be Tigers starting QB Duke Nagy, a noted scrambler, so the Golden Bears might have an issue containing their offense.

“We’ve started off a little slow, but I think we play our game and make them play theirs,” said Clemson HC Dabo Swinney prior to kickoff, “we got the crowd on our side, this is going to be a good one.”

Swinney immediately found himself eating his words, as so many coaches end up doing against Cal.

A decent opening drive from Clemson would stall, but K Nolan Hauser would nail a 54-yard FG with distance to spare for a 3-0 lead. Starting out with points would be nice, but Swinney would watch that meager lead evaporate and turn into a substantial deficit before the 1st quarter was over.

Three TD passes by QB Duane Dinsons, one to WR Darryl Hawkinson (33 yards), one to WR Andre Onwenu (25 yards), and one to WR George Cheeseman (47 yards) would combine with some Clemson punts to make it 21-3.

The 2nd quarter would see a wild sequence that would give Clemson hope, and then rapidly dash it as Clemson’s ability to hold together a drive crumbled. MLB Phil Slater would make a great read and cut under a TE DeShaun Peters route over the middle, intercepting Dinson and giving Clemson a chance to chip away at their 21-3 deficit. They would immediately squander it when LE Karl Haggan would sack Nagy on 3rd & 11 to make it 4th & 16 on the Cal 48.

Cal would score immediately on the next possession, making it 28-3, before more disaster hit Clemson. With Nagy powering a drive, constantly using his legs to run for 1st downs as Cal’s defenders just stood around watching him, the Tigers would get to Cal’s 6 to threaten their first TD of the game.

Nagy would find himself with nowhere to throw, roll out and start to scramble before LOLB Taylor Webb would get a hold of his leg. Nagy would fight to escape only for MLB Josh Sanford to lay a big hit on him and knock the ball loose. Webb would be able to scoop up the loose ball and run 80 yards the opposite direction before being tackled on the Clemson 10. The short field would make a HB Deuce Linwood TD run very easy, pushing the score to 35-3.

Turnovers would constantly haunt Swinney and the Tigers.

Clemson would recover well in their final drive of the half, with Nagy running in a TD with time almost running out. An easy score with Cal’s defenders standing around watching him run down the field.

Down 35-10 at the half, this game was basically over. That wouldn’t stop Clemson from trying their best to crawl back in the game, though their inability to stop Cal on the ground made it nearly impossible for them to close the gap.

A Sanford interception, Nagy’s only pick of the game, would kill a drive after both teams traded TD’s in the 3rd.

The 4th quarter would see both teams find the endzone several times, making it the highest scoring quarter of the game. Dinson would add two rushing TDs while Nagy would throw for two and run one in himself as the Cal defense stood around in awe.

The burst of scoring wouldn’t turn the tide for the hosts, but it would result in a season first. Nagy’s 353 passing yards would top Dinson’s 334, the first time anyone has thrown for more yards than Cal’s Heisman winner this season.

THE TAKEAWAY

The Golden Bears continue to have severe issues with QBs taking off on a run when there isn’t anyone open. Why they stop playing and let a QB get 10-15 yards down the field before anyone moves a muscle is a mystery, and it could become a critical problem down the road. Sanford was the defensive MVP today, despite also being guilty of standing around doing nothing while Nagy runs down the field, his 28 tackles combined with an interception and forced fumble made things hard for Clemson.

UP NEXT

California : Away at Florida State.

**bayers3** · 12-02-2024, 12:00 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

TALLAHASSEE, FL - A once daunting trip to Doak Campbell Stadium to face the Seminoles is now a schedule nuisance for the Golden Bears, one of their longest trips would be more of a drain than anything else with Florida State sitting at 4-3. The Seminoles are practically driving full speed in reverse, a far cry from their former glory. Despite all of that, the word would be out on how to attack Cal and they would try to exploit it as much as possible.

Much like Clemson, they exploit would be effective but wouldn’t be enough to keep pace with a Cal offense that looks like it’s playing against an empty field.

Cal would receive the opening kickoff, and despite a promising performance by Florida State’s defense, it would take Cal just 9 plays to go 85 yards and score via an ironic QB Duane Dinson 3-yard run after all of his receivers were covered. Before Florida State could even get going, Cal had the ball back and a 38-yard TD pass to WR Darry Hawkinson would make it 14-0.

Florida State would make a strong comeback, marching down the field and getting in the endzone with the help of Cal’s defense. QB Trever Jackson would scramble around and take off running from the 11, with Cal’s defense standing around watching him run up the field it would be easy to walk in and make it 14-7.

The possessions between their score and halftime would be extremely frustrating for Florida State, the defense that showed up in Cal’s opening drive would evaporate and Jackson’s scrambling would seem like a drop in the ocean.

Cal’s first play would be an 83-yard TD pass to George Cheeseman, and when they got the ball back the only thing that stopped them was Dinson trying to force a pass over the middle to TE DeShaun Peters. MLB Jaquiri Brown would slip in a snatch the ball away to end the 1st quarter.

Florida State wouldn’t be able to get anywhere with the possession, but they started close enough that a 33-yard FG by K Willie Randall would prevent them from leaving empty handed. The good vibes would be short lived, with Cal’s next play a 77-yard TD pass to Hawksinson.

The final drive of the half would see Florida State drive to the Cal 26, but with time ticking away a LE Karl Haggan sack would force 4th & 18 and bring Randall back on the field. He would nail a 42-yard FG to close out the half.

Florida State would get the 2nd half kickoff, and promptly give the ball right back to Cal. A long bomb by Jackson would be snatched by CB Jamison Dyer and put Cal on their own 7.

Dyer’s interception seemed to kill off any hope of coming back.

It’s really hard to pick a single instance that ended Florida State’s comeback chances, but Dyer’s pick opening the second half seems like a good place to start. The Seminoles just had nothing left in the tank after that.

A 15-play 93-yard drive would come after the turnover, with Cal aggressively converting on fourth down twice. Once with 7 and once with 4 yards to do, on their way to a 3-yard TD pass to Hawkinson.

Florida State FS Mario Henderson would manage to pick off Dinson to open the 4th quarter, but the very next play FS Scoot Henderson would knock the ball out of Jackson’s hands on a scramble and MLB Josh Sanford would recover the ball.

Cal’s running game would take over from that point on, with the help of two turnovers by SS Carter Schultz (a pick-six and a forced fumble on Cal’s 5), and cruise to another big win.

THE TAKEAWAY

Even turning the ball over can’t stop Cal’s offense, though to be fair Florida State still lost the turnover battle.

UP NEXT

California : Away at Georgia Tech.

**bayers3** · 12-03-2024, 02:24 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

Bear Territory : California CF25

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