Re: Bear Territory : California CF25
#Correia4Heisman
clutch win. its always fun to lead a game winning drive
#Correia4Heisman
clutch win. its always fun to lead a game winning drive
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Re: Bear Territory : California CF25
BERKELEY, CA - After the excitement of last week, #4 Cal would be looking forward to taking on a faltering North Carolina. After a 2-4 start, the Tarheels are drawing more discussion about Mack Brown’s future than they would like.
“I know what they are saying, and it is simply not true,” said Brown prior to the game “I am committed to the team, to the program.”
Denials aside, rumors of his pending retirement dominate the headlines and frustrate a team trying to turn things around.
More frustrating for North Carolina and their fans would be their play on the field. Cal would jump out to a 27-0 lead thanks to TDs from Byron Cardwell, Jack Endries, and Mikey Matthews, before North Carolina would even show some life. Just before the half Conner Harrell would hit Chris Culliver for an 8-yard TD and slink into the locker room down 27-7.
Despite a blowout blooming, all of the excitement would go down in the 3rd quarter. A big hit from Cade Uluave would knock the ball loose from Harrell, leading to a Cal recovery with the ball on the Tarheels’ 26. A Larry Hall TD run would pretty much kill off the game after that, but there would be one moment of fun left.
The Tarheels would put together their best drive of the day, ending in a Devin Roche 4-yard TD run. The fun would come in the form of a big hit as Roche tried to dive between defenders, sending him flying into the air and flipping into the endzone.
THE TAKEAWAY
Cal got back to their punishing ground game after a hiccup against Virginia. Cardwell (144 yards, TD) and Hall (113 yards, 2TD) would pace an easy win. Endries continues to be a safety blanket for Mendoza whenever he needs to go downfield, finishing with another 100+ receiving yards while Matthews was second with 88 and 2TD.
UP NEXT
California : Home against SMU.
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Re: Bear Territory : California CF25
BERKELEY, CA - After the excitement of last week, #4 Cal would be looking forward to taking on a faltering North Carolina. After a 2-4 start, the Tarheels are drawing more discussion about Mack Brown’s future than they would like.
“I know what they are saying, and it is simply not true,” said Brown prior to the game “I am committed to the team, to the program.”
Denials aside, rumors of his pending retirement dominate the headlines and frustrate a team trying to turn things around.
More frustrating for North Carolina and their fans would be their play on the field. Cal would jump out to a 27-0 lead thanks to TDs from Byron Cardwell, Jack Endries, and Mikey Matthews, before North Carolina would even show some life. Just before the half Conner Harrell would hit Chris Culliver for an 8-yard TD and slink into the locker room down 27-7.
Despite a blowout blooming, all of the excitement would go down in the 3rd quarter. A big hit from Cade Uluave would knock the ball loose from Harrell, leading to a Cal recovery with the ball on the Tarheels’ 26. A Larry Hall TD run would pretty much kill off the game after that, but there would be one moment of fun left.
The Tarheels would put together their best drive of the day, ending in a Devin Roche 4-yard TD run. The fun would come in the form of a big hit as Roche tried to dive between defenders, sending him flying into the air and flipping into the endzone.
THE TAKEAWAY
Cal got back to their punishing ground game after a hiccup against Virginia. Cardwell (144 yards, TD) and Hall (113 yards, 2TD) would pace an easy win. Endries continues to be a safety blanket for Mendoza whenever he needs to go downfield, finishing with another 100+ receiving yards while Matthews was second with 88 and 2TD.
UP NEXT
California : Home against SMU.
“I know what they are saying, and it is simply not true,” said Brown prior to the game “I am committed to the team, to the program.”
Denials aside, rumors of his pending retirement dominate the headlines and frustrate a team trying to turn things around.
More frustrating for North Carolina and their fans would be their play on the field. Cal would jump out to a 27-0 lead thanks to TDs from Byron Cardwell, Jack Endries, and Mikey Matthews, before North Carolina would even show some life. Just before the half Conner Harrell would hit Chris Culliver for an 8-yard TD and slink into the locker room down 27-7.
Despite a blowout blooming, all of the excitement would go down in the 3rd quarter. A big hit from Cade Uluave would knock the ball loose from Harrell, leading to a Cal recovery with the ball on the Tarheels’ 26. A Larry Hall TD run would pretty much kill off the game after that, but there would be one moment of fun left.
The Tarheels would put together their best drive of the day, ending in a Devin Roche 4-yard TD run. The fun would come in the form of a big hit as Roche tried to dive between defenders, sending him flying into the air and flipping into the endzone.
THE TAKEAWAY
Cal got back to their punishing ground game after a hiccup against Virginia. Cardwell (144 yards, TD) and Hall (113 yards, 2TD) would pace an easy win. Endries continues to be a safety blanket for Mendoza whenever he needs to go downfield, finishing with another 100+ receiving yards while Matthews was second with 88 and 2TD.
UP NEXT
California : Home against SMU.
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Re: Bear Territory : California CF25
A historic moment is brewing with the 2025 Heisman race, though the chances of it actually coming to fruition are low. Just about every year at least one defensive player starts to get some Heisman attention, but inevitably the voters cannot overlook a QB / RB / WR or whatever Alabama player Paul Finebaum is pumping up.
TOP CONTENDERS
California DT Ricky Correia
Incredibly surprising, though perhaps not unexpected based on his recent performances. Correia was already moving into the Top 5 before his (4) sack / (14) tackle performance against Virginia. The odds are stacked against him, Charles Woodson is still the only defensive player to win the award and it’s really hard to see a DT being the second. If he’s already being mentioned as a favorite, if he keeps piling up sacks it might be impossible to deny him.
Trend : Skyrocketing
Alabama WR Kendrick Law
Law continues to have a solid season for #8 Alabama, but he rode an early season burst of TD catches to the top of the list. Those have dried up for now, but he has another WR gaining on him with two QB pushing up the list. Oddly enough, Law probably needs to worry about the next guy on the list more than the guy above him.
Trend : Falling
USC QB Miller Moss
Moss is basically what Heisman voters want; a QB having a very good to great season at a premier program known for pumping out Heisman winners. He’s taken over as the betting favorite with #12 USC making a solid run at the College Football Playoff, if they win the Big 10 it might be hard for voters to keep him this low.
Trend : Rising
Miami WR Jeremiah Smith
Smith is stealing Law’s thunder, thanks to a streak of TDs on a team relying on him for them. Smith’s biggest issue is that he’s got Reese Poffenbarger throwing to him instead of Cam Ward, the Hurricanes are just barely hanging on to a Top 25 spot at #24. If they drop out, no amount of brand recognition is going to save Smith beyond a record setting TD performance.
Trend : Rising
Utah QB Isaac Wilson
Utah moved to the Big 12 and seem to have taken over right away, the #11 Utes look like a national title challenger and that means a spotlight on their QB. Wilson should have been mentioned as an outside contender at the beginning of the season, instead of a certain Texas QB, but he’s made up for it so far. He’s fallen from third in recent weeks thanks to Moss and Smith having breakout games, but he shouldn’t be counted out just yet.
Trend : Falling
TOP CONTENDERS
California DT Ricky Correia
Incredibly surprising, though perhaps not unexpected based on his recent performances. Correia was already moving into the Top 5 before his (4) sack / (14) tackle performance against Virginia. The odds are stacked against him, Charles Woodson is still the only defensive player to win the award and it’s really hard to see a DT being the second. If he’s already being mentioned as a favorite, if he keeps piling up sacks it might be impossible to deny him.
Trend : Skyrocketing
Alabama WR Kendrick Law
Law continues to have a solid season for #8 Alabama, but he rode an early season burst of TD catches to the top of the list. Those have dried up for now, but he has another WR gaining on him with two QB pushing up the list. Oddly enough, Law probably needs to worry about the next guy on the list more than the guy above him.
Trend : Falling
USC QB Miller Moss
Moss is basically what Heisman voters want; a QB having a very good to great season at a premier program known for pumping out Heisman winners. He’s taken over as the betting favorite with #12 USC making a solid run at the College Football Playoff, if they win the Big 10 it might be hard for voters to keep him this low.
Trend : Rising
Miami WR Jeremiah Smith
Smith is stealing Law’s thunder, thanks to a streak of TDs on a team relying on him for them. Smith’s biggest issue is that he’s got Reese Poffenbarger throwing to him instead of Cam Ward, the Hurricanes are just barely hanging on to a Top 25 spot at #24. If they drop out, no amount of brand recognition is going to save Smith beyond a record setting TD performance.
Trend : Rising
Utah QB Isaac Wilson
Utah moved to the Big 12 and seem to have taken over right away, the #11 Utes look like a national title challenger and that means a spotlight on their QB. Wilson should have been mentioned as an outside contender at the beginning of the season, instead of a certain Texas QB, but he’s made up for it so far. He’s fallen from third in recent weeks thanks to Moss and Smith having breakout games, but he shouldn’t be counted out just yet.
Trend : Falling
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Re: Bear Territory : California CF25
Justin Wilcox continues to recruit well, being ranked consistently in the Top 10 can help with that. It was a real gut punch to lose OLB Austin Wayne to Oregon, even more so because it was done by former Cal player and coach Tosh Lupoi, but Cal can’t afford to be hung up on a single player.
Even without Wayne, Cal has landed some very good prospects that could help them as soon as next year. Their top commit, Marvin Wile, has some serious competition on the line but figures to contribute immediately. SS Tremayne Landman is a special player that inside sources say Cal is very high on, with their issues in the secondary he could be a starter the moment he steps on campus. Their top offensive signing, WR Darryl Hawkinson, is also exciting due to his game breaking speed.
ESPN 300 Commits : 7
Top Offensive Prospect : WR Darryl Hawkinson
Top Defensive Prospect : DE Marvin Wile
Current Ranking : 11th
TOP TARGETS
Even without Wayne, Cal has landed some very good prospects that could help them as soon as next year. Their top commit, Marvin Wile, has some serious competition on the line but figures to contribute immediately. SS Tremayne Landman is a special player that inside sources say Cal is very high on, with their issues in the secondary he could be a starter the moment he steps on campus. Their top offensive signing, WR Darryl Hawkinson, is also exciting due to his game breaking speed.
ESPN 300 Commits : 7
Top Offensive Prospect : WR Darryl Hawkinson
Top Defensive Prospect : DE Marvin Wile
Current Ranking : 11th
TOP TARGETS
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Re: Bear Territory : California CF25
BERKELEY, CA - Memories of the loss in Dallas last year are still fresh in the minds of Cal fans, today would be a chance for Justin Wilcox to exorcize those demons. This time SMU would come into the game on the wrong side of .500 after a 3-1 start. Rhett Lashlee might be feeling his seat get hot thanks to losing three straight in the ACC.
“We are less focused on who beat who when, and more concerned about ending this slide,” said Lashlee before the game. “This is a good team, the kind of team we need to beat to turn our season around.”
Lashlee would see his team get into good positions, mostly due to their surprisingly stingy defense, but they would regularly fail to make good on their chances.
Cal would go up early thanks to a Byron Cardwell TD run, and then Preston Stone would get picked off to give the ball back on their own 34. Their defense would come up big, stopping Cal on a 4th & 8 to keep them from getting any points off the turnover. That would be the first of their stops on 4th down, their second one would halt Cal on 4th & 5 on the SMU 16. Wilcox’s reticence to kick a FG had cost Cal 6 points before the 1st quarter was over.
An LJ Johnson Jr. TD run would tie the game 7-7 before Wilcox finally found a way to expose the hard nosed Mustang defense. The next drive after SMU’s TD Fernando Mendoza would hit Jack Endries deep over the middle for a 73-yard TD and a 14-7 lead. At this point Endries would have two receptions for 131 yards and a TD, it would not end there.
The Golden Bears had their own goal like stand before the half, stopping SMU on the 5 after a 1st and goal, and forcing a FG. Immediately after, with the clock ticking down for halftime, Mendoza would hit Endries deep again for a 57-yard TD.
The remainder of the game would see SMU make big plays on 4th down, giving them the back back deep in their own end but preventing Cal from getting any points. Stone would throw two TD passes, one to Adam Moore and one to Jimmy Valsin III, including a 2-PT conversion to narrow the score to 28-25. The second half, specifically the 4th quarter, felt like it was all SMU. Cal’s offense couldn’t get going against a tough defense, and Stone found life thanks to Johnson Jr. putting up an incredible performance.
Wilcox managed to save the best for last though, with the Mustangs breathing down his neck, Cal would finally put together a long drive that would eat up the clock and get Cardwell back into the endzone for a 25-25 lead. With 1:00 left, there was some risk of scoring too quickly, but SMU would need to score twice to make it matter. Stone’s magic would run out, with the clock ticking down to 0:00 while they tried to get set on 4th & 7.
Johnson Jr. would be the first rusher to show up either Cal running back. He would finish with 179 yards on 24 carries, but just the one TD to show for it.
THE TAKEAWAY
SMU seemed to have Cal’s number late in the game, but a turnover free performance from Mendoza allowed Cal to stay calm and get to the finish line. Endries continues to be an important outlet for Mendoza when teams clamp down on Mikey Matthews or Noah Short.
UP NEXT
California : Away at Boston College.
“We are less focused on who beat who when, and more concerned about ending this slide,” said Lashlee before the game. “This is a good team, the kind of team we need to beat to turn our season around.”
Lashlee would see his team get into good positions, mostly due to their surprisingly stingy defense, but they would regularly fail to make good on their chances.
Cal would go up early thanks to a Byron Cardwell TD run, and then Preston Stone would get picked off to give the ball back on their own 34. Their defense would come up big, stopping Cal on a 4th & 8 to keep them from getting any points off the turnover. That would be the first of their stops on 4th down, their second one would halt Cal on 4th & 5 on the SMU 16. Wilcox’s reticence to kick a FG had cost Cal 6 points before the 1st quarter was over.
An LJ Johnson Jr. TD run would tie the game 7-7 before Wilcox finally found a way to expose the hard nosed Mustang defense. The next drive after SMU’s TD Fernando Mendoza would hit Jack Endries deep over the middle for a 73-yard TD and a 14-7 lead. At this point Endries would have two receptions for 131 yards and a TD, it would not end there.
The Golden Bears had their own goal like stand before the half, stopping SMU on the 5 after a 1st and goal, and forcing a FG. Immediately after, with the clock ticking down for halftime, Mendoza would hit Endries deep again for a 57-yard TD.
The remainder of the game would see SMU make big plays on 4th down, giving them the back back deep in their own end but preventing Cal from getting any points. Stone would throw two TD passes, one to Adam Moore and one to Jimmy Valsin III, including a 2-PT conversion to narrow the score to 28-25. The second half, specifically the 4th quarter, felt like it was all SMU. Cal’s offense couldn’t get going against a tough defense, and Stone found life thanks to Johnson Jr. putting up an incredible performance.
Wilcox managed to save the best for last though, with the Mustangs breathing down his neck, Cal would finally put together a long drive that would eat up the clock and get Cardwell back into the endzone for a 25-25 lead. With 1:00 left, there was some risk of scoring too quickly, but SMU would need to score twice to make it matter. Stone’s magic would run out, with the clock ticking down to 0:00 while they tried to get set on 4th & 7.
Johnson Jr. would be the first rusher to show up either Cal running back. He would finish with 179 yards on 24 carries, but just the one TD to show for it.
THE TAKEAWAY
SMU seemed to have Cal’s number late in the game, but a turnover free performance from Mendoza allowed Cal to stay calm and get to the finish line. Endries continues to be an important outlet for Mendoza when teams clamp down on Mikey Matthews or Noah Short.
UP NEXT
California : Away at Boston College.
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Re: Bear Territory : California CF25
big revenge win against SMU
and it looks like the defense is going to get even better with all those recruits
big revenge win against SMU
and it looks like the defense is going to get even better with all those recruits
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Re: Bear Territory : California CF25
I definitely don't understand defense in this game. I don't think I did it by this season, but certainly the two I'm at now (2026-2027) I only use one defensive play out of 3-3-5 Mint and it's a vast improvement. I don't know what else to do.
I definitely don't understand defense in this game. I don't think I did it by this season, but certainly the two I'm at now (2026-2027) I only use one defensive play out of 3-3-5 Mint and it's a vast improvement. I don't know what else to do.
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Re: Bear Territory : California CF25
BOSTON, MA - This was not the matchup anyone would have guessed would turn out to have both teams ranked. The first College Football Playoff rankings would see Cal drop from #3 to #6, Boston College would head into this game #16 but starting to show cracks in the ACC. A 4-0 start has turned into a 2-1 conference campaign for Bill O’Brien, but the Eagles are certainly improving as a program.
A cold and rainy night game would add quite a bit of spice to the ranked matchup, with both teams appearing to be in a hurry to hand the ball back.
Fernando Mendoza would make a very poor decision and throw the ball into traffic down the middle of the field, giving the ball to BC on their own 38. Just two plays later Thomas Castellanos would give it right back, getting intercepted by Jasiah Wagoner close to their own end. Mendoza would find Mikey Matthews for a 13-yard TD to make it 7-0 and escape the turnover debacle with points.
The Golden Bears would see Byron Cardwell fumble twice, losing both of them, along with the Mendoza interception. Isaiah Crosby would be responsible for Castellanos’ second interception.
This game would just devolve into Cal running over BC in the second half while Castellanos went deep on just about every other play. He would finish 28/39 with 297 yards and 3TD, but it wouldn’t be enough to close the gap.
THE TAKEAWAY
Another game where Cal was able to deal with offensive issues by running the ball. Cardwell (19 carries, 95 yards, TD) and Larry Hall (11 carries, 106 yards, 2TD) have asserted themselves as the nation’s top backfield pairing and don’t look like they are slowing down.
UP NEXT
California : Away at Virginia Tech.
A cold and rainy night game would add quite a bit of spice to the ranked matchup, with both teams appearing to be in a hurry to hand the ball back.
Fernando Mendoza would make a very poor decision and throw the ball into traffic down the middle of the field, giving the ball to BC on their own 38. Just two plays later Thomas Castellanos would give it right back, getting intercepted by Jasiah Wagoner close to their own end. Mendoza would find Mikey Matthews for a 13-yard TD to make it 7-0 and escape the turnover debacle with points.
The Golden Bears would see Byron Cardwell fumble twice, losing both of them, along with the Mendoza interception. Isaiah Crosby would be responsible for Castellanos’ second interception.
This game would just devolve into Cal running over BC in the second half while Castellanos went deep on just about every other play. He would finish 28/39 with 297 yards and 3TD, but it wouldn’t be enough to close the gap.
THE TAKEAWAY
Another game where Cal was able to deal with offensive issues by running the ball. Cardwell (19 carries, 95 yards, TD) and Larry Hall (11 carries, 106 yards, 2TD) have asserted themselves as the nation’s top backfield pairing and don’t look like they are slowing down.
UP NEXT
California : Away at Virginia Tech.
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Re: Bear Territory : California CF25
BLACKSBURG, VA - The Golden Bears would take the field for a rainy night game for the second week in a row, and once again they would be pushed close to a loss for most of the game. Even though the Hokies are on the edge of being eliminated from being bowl eligible, the combination of a hostile environment and a long flight would be dangerous for #5 Cal.
Justin Wilcox would get an early reminder of Cal’s kicking issues thanks to a missed PAT on their first TD, a short pass to Noah Short, but starting the game up 6-0 is never a bad thing. Virginia Tech’s opening drive would die thanks to a big stop on 3rd & 2, but they would hit a 35-yard FG to eliminate the danger of being shut out.
Brent Pry must have spent the week watching the Boston College and SMU games, because Cal would have issues stopping the run game for the third week in a row. Mack Drummond, who wouldn’t be nearly as successful as SMU’s LJ Johnson Jr. or Boston College’s Lewis Bond, would be a constant thorn in Peter Sirmon’s side. Outside of the opening drive, getting a stop on 3rd and short just wasn’t in the cards today.
Fernando Mendoza and Kyron Drones would have solid days, but Mendoza would struggle to find his receivers. The Golden Bears would rely heavily on Jack Endries to make plays downfield, with their TE accounting for more than half of Mendoza’s passing yards.
Ultimately, the game would come down to Virginia Tech being unable to stop Cal’s running game and a few key turnovers and defensive stops late in the game.
Marcus Scott II would come up big in the 3rd quarter with an interception, giving Cal the ball on Virginia Tech’s 49. A Byron Cardwell TD run would close out that drive, putting Cal up 27-24. A key stop in the 4th quarter, stoning the Hokies on 4th & Inches, would once again give the Golden Bears the ball in Hokie territory and lead to Cardwell’s third TD run.
Cardwell’s 4th TD would put Cal up 41-24 late in the game and close out a win that looked in doubt until the middle of the 3rd quarter.
THE TAKEAWAY
Despite struggling in areas, Cal was able to get by with their running game and Endries when needed. Sirmon has some work to do with the rushing defense, giving up 100+ to one player every week is going to burn them at some point. The win puts Cal firmly 1st in the ACC going into a tough matchup.
UP NEXT
California : Away at Louisville.
Justin Wilcox would get an early reminder of Cal’s kicking issues thanks to a missed PAT on their first TD, a short pass to Noah Short, but starting the game up 6-0 is never a bad thing. Virginia Tech’s opening drive would die thanks to a big stop on 3rd & 2, but they would hit a 35-yard FG to eliminate the danger of being shut out.
Brent Pry must have spent the week watching the Boston College and SMU games, because Cal would have issues stopping the run game for the third week in a row. Mack Drummond, who wouldn’t be nearly as successful as SMU’s LJ Johnson Jr. or Boston College’s Lewis Bond, would be a constant thorn in Peter Sirmon’s side. Outside of the opening drive, getting a stop on 3rd and short just wasn’t in the cards today.
Fernando Mendoza and Kyron Drones would have solid days, but Mendoza would struggle to find his receivers. The Golden Bears would rely heavily on Jack Endries to make plays downfield, with their TE accounting for more than half of Mendoza’s passing yards.
Ultimately, the game would come down to Virginia Tech being unable to stop Cal’s running game and a few key turnovers and defensive stops late in the game.
Marcus Scott II would come up big in the 3rd quarter with an interception, giving Cal the ball on Virginia Tech’s 49. A Byron Cardwell TD run would close out that drive, putting Cal up 27-24. A key stop in the 4th quarter, stoning the Hokies on 4th & Inches, would once again give the Golden Bears the ball in Hokie territory and lead to Cardwell’s third TD run.
Cardwell’s 4th TD would put Cal up 41-24 late in the game and close out a win that looked in doubt until the middle of the 3rd quarter.
THE TAKEAWAY
Despite struggling in areas, Cal was able to get by with their running game and Endries when needed. Sirmon has some work to do with the rushing defense, giving up 100+ to one player every week is going to burn them at some point. The win puts Cal firmly 1st in the ACC going into a tough matchup.
UP NEXT
California : Away at Louisville.
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Re: Bear Territory : California CF25
BLACKSBURG, VA - The Golden Bears would take the field for a rainy night game for the second week in a row, and once again they would be pushed close to a loss for most of the game. Even though the Hokies are on the edge of being eliminated from being bowl eligible, the combination of a hostile environment and a long flight would be dangerous for #5 Cal.
Justin Wilcox would get an early reminder of Cal’s kicking issues thanks to a missed PAT on their first TD, a short pass to Noah Short, but starting the game up 6-0 is never a bad thing. Virginia Tech’s opening drive would die thanks to a big stop on 3rd & 2, but they would hit a 35-yard FG to eliminate the danger of being shut out.
Brent Pry must have spent the week watching the Boston College and SMU games, because Cal would have issues stopping the run game for the third week in a row. Mack Drummond, who wouldn’t be nearly as successful as SMU’s LJ Johnson Jr. or Boston College’s Lewis Bond, would be a constant thorn in Peter Sirmon’s side. Outside of the opening drive, getting a stop on 3rd and short just wasn’t in the cards today.
Fernando Mendoza and Kyron Drones would have solid days, but Mendoza would struggle to find his receivers. The Golden Bears would rely heavily on Jack Endries to make plays downfield, with their TE accounting for more than half of Mendoza’s passing yards.
Ultimately, the game would come down to Virginia Tech being unable to stop Cal’s running game and a few key turnovers and defensive stops late in the game.
Marcus Scott II would come up big in the 3rd quarter with an interception, giving Cal the ball on Virginia Tech’s 49. A Byron Cardwell TD run would close out that drive, putting Cal up 27-24. A key stop in the 4th quarter, stoning the Hokies on 4th & Inches, would once again give the Golden Bears the ball in Hokie territory and lead to Cardwell’s third TD run.
Cardwell’s 4th TD would put Cal up 41-24 late in the game and close out a win that looked in doubt until the middle of the 3rd quarter.
THE TAKEAWAY
Despite struggling in areas, Cal was able to get by with their running game and Endries when needed. Sirmon has some work to do with the rushing defense, giving up 100+ to one player every week is going to burn them at some point. The win puts Cal firmly 1st in the ACC going into a tough matchup.
UP NEXT
California : Away at Louisville.
Justin Wilcox would get an early reminder of Cal’s kicking issues thanks to a missed PAT on their first TD, a short pass to Noah Short, but starting the game up 6-0 is never a bad thing. Virginia Tech’s opening drive would die thanks to a big stop on 3rd & 2, but they would hit a 35-yard FG to eliminate the danger of being shut out.
Brent Pry must have spent the week watching the Boston College and SMU games, because Cal would have issues stopping the run game for the third week in a row. Mack Drummond, who wouldn’t be nearly as successful as SMU’s LJ Johnson Jr. or Boston College’s Lewis Bond, would be a constant thorn in Peter Sirmon’s side. Outside of the opening drive, getting a stop on 3rd and short just wasn’t in the cards today.
Fernando Mendoza and Kyron Drones would have solid days, but Mendoza would struggle to find his receivers. The Golden Bears would rely heavily on Jack Endries to make plays downfield, with their TE accounting for more than half of Mendoza’s passing yards.
Ultimately, the game would come down to Virginia Tech being unable to stop Cal’s running game and a few key turnovers and defensive stops late in the game.
Marcus Scott II would come up big in the 3rd quarter with an interception, giving Cal the ball on Virginia Tech’s 49. A Byron Cardwell TD run would close out that drive, putting Cal up 27-24. A key stop in the 4th quarter, stoning the Hokies on 4th & Inches, would once again give the Golden Bears the ball in Hokie territory and lead to Cardwell’s third TD run.
Cardwell’s 4th TD would put Cal up 41-24 late in the game and close out a win that looked in doubt until the middle of the 3rd quarter.
THE TAKEAWAY
Despite struggling in areas, Cal was able to get by with their running game and Endries when needed. Sirmon has some work to do with the rushing defense, giving up 100+ to one player every week is going to burn them at some point. The win puts Cal firmly 1st in the ACC going into a tough matchup.
UP NEXT
California : Away at Louisville.
Comment
Re: Bear Territory : California CF25
I run a 3-3-5 tite too and I usually try and run cover 3 or 4 most of the time and mix in some blitzes. I started off trying to play man exclusively and wasn getting TORCHED every game. I mean, SC is still giving up a lot of passing yards but not nearly as much as I did to start the season lol.
On topic, Cal is dominating the ACC right now. hows the rest of the conference looking?
I run a 3-3-5 tite too and I usually try and run cover 3 or 4 most of the time and mix in some blitzes. I started off trying to play man exclusively and wasn getting TORCHED every game. I mean, SC is still giving up a lot of passing yards but not nearly as much as I did to start the season lol.
On topic, Cal is dominating the ACC right now. hows the rest of the conference looking?
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