Bear Territory : California CF25

**bayers3** · 09-06-2024, 09:22 AM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

LOUISVILLE, KY - Cal’s third ranked matchup of the season would carry a little more weight than the previous ones. Louisville would rise to #16 in the rankings coming off a 41-41 win over Clemson, and at this point in the season a team needs to be good to be ranked. Three straight East Coast road trips would be visibly exhausting for Cal, with this one the most dangerous of them all.

“Yeah, it’s tough,” said Justin Wilcox when asked about the impact of travel, “we need to have a word with the scheduling department, we are on the road next week as well. It’s just a grind.”

Perhaps the Big Game was a looming distraction, but this game turned into a perfect storm for Louisville as Cal managed to hit on all of their problems in one go.

The Cardinals would open the game with a 12 play 74-yard TD drive that ended with a Donald Chaney run, a small preview of the trouble the Golden Bears would be facing. A failed opening drive would hand the ball back to the hosts who would be held to a FG, but the 1st quarter would be alarming for Wilcox and Peter Sirmon.

It would take a 64-yard pass to Jack Endries to get Cal to the 1 and set up a Byron Cardwell TD run. Cal would end up surrendering 51 rushing yards in the 1st quarter while only managing 12 themselves.

Chaney uses big night to knock out Cal.

Cal would manage to go up 21-10, but then the turnovers started to take over. Adonis Hardesty would pick off Fernando Mendoza over the middle and get the ball on their own 37, they wouldn’t score off this turnover but Mendoza would give them a second chance. On 4th & 2 a ball to Endries would be nearly intercepted by Hardesty, turning the ball over on Cal’s 39. This time Brady Allen would find Jamari Johnson for his first TD catch of the day.

A nearly comical series of plays would end with Lousiville taking a 24-21 lead and Wilcox having a heated discussion with Mendoza on the sidelines. Isaiah Crosby would pick off Allen, only for Mendoza to be intercepted by Stanquan Clark three plays later. The Cardinals’ first play of that possession would be a 52-yard TD to Johnson for his second of the game.

Hard to believe it, but things got worse after that with Cal completely falling apart. Mendoza would throw a third interception, putting Louisville on Cal’s 33 and ending with a 5-yard TD run by Chaney to put them up 31-21. Making things worse, Cardwell would leave the game early in the 4th with an ankle bruise.

Mendoza would finally find his man, hitting Endries in the endzone to make it 35-31 in the middle of the 4th. The Golden Bears would have an opening to close out the game with a 4th & 1 on Louisville’s 41. Wilcox would keep the offense out, but Larry Hall would be caught in the backfield for a brutal turnover on downs. The possession would end with a third Johnson TD and a 38-35 lead.

Cal would fail to get into FG range with 1:30 left in the game, and Louisville would celebrate a win against a Top 5 team.

THE TAKEAWAY

Yet another game allowing a 100+ yard rusher, Chaney would finish with 110 on 28 carries. Despite both sides turning over the ball, three each, Allen managed to do more with the balls that went to his own players than Mendoza. Brian Brohm managed to combine shutting down Cal’s WR while taking advantage of Mendoza’s tendency to lock in on Endires. The Golden Bears managed to run the ball well, finishing with two 100 yard rushers, but when they needed to score quickly it wasn’t as useful.

UP NEXT

California : Away at Stanfurd.

**bayers3** · 09-06-2024, 05:59 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

STANFURD, CA - The loss to Louisville, their first of the season, would drop Cal to #7 and see them make the trip across the bay in a bad mood. The Golden Bears came into this game angry and ready to assert their position at the top of the ACC.

It’s hard to believe Stanfurd came into this game bowl eligible, they played more like a team desperate to get off the field as quickly as possible. The game was practically over after the opening drive, which was a single play. Mikey Matthews would take a short pass 75 yards for a TD and a 7-0 lead. Cal’s second possession would be slightly longer, ending in a 45-yard TD to Noah Short and a 14-0 lead. That would turn out to be enough to win the game.

Ashton Daniels, who couldn’t get out of the game fast enough, is likely going to have lifelong nightmares about Ricky Correia. Correia made Cardinal C Allen Thomason look like a minor impediment on his way to Daniels. Correia would log his fourth sack just before halftime, with Cal already up 42-7 at that point.

Correia completely dominated up the middle.

Needless to say, this game was a comprehensive disaster for Stanfurd. Turnovers would hand the ball over to Cal with a short field, and Daniels would have one of the worst games of his college career. Going 6/12 with just 46 passing yard and two interceptions is not a good way to beat a rival. The Cardinal’s only bright spot was Sedrick Irvin rushing for 77 yard.

THE TAKEAWAY

Stanfurd was not up for this game and Cal was out for blood. The 63-7 score ties the most points scored in a Big Game and breaks the record for biggest win previously set by Stanford (63-13 in 2013). Byron Cardwell ran for 4TD, setting a new school record for rushing TD in a season at (29). It’s hard to tell if the Cardinal are this bad, if Cal is really this good, or if this was just an angry team taking it out on a team that folded early.

UP NEXT

California : Home against Duke.

**bayers3** · 09-07-2024, 08:00 AM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

BERKELEY, CA - The final ACC conference game would be a near formality, with only seeding in the College Football Playoff on the line. Cal would enter as the #3 seed, but with a spot in the ACC title game against Louisville locked in it would be more important to win the ACC. Justin Wilcox would need to go to the ‘one game at a time’ mentality to keep his team focused.

“We aren’t thinking about next week, we are thinking about Duke.” Wilcox refused to answer questions about facing Louisville again, instead he did his best Bill Belichick impersonation.

A 10-1 team hosting a 1-10 team would not have anyone expecting drama, and outside of a single drive everything went as expected.

The 1st quarter would see Jack Endries find the endzone twice, a 30-yard and 47-yard TD deep over the middle would give Cal a 14-3 lead that would never really be threatened.

Duke fans will feel slightly better about the result after the performance of Maalik Murphy, even though he was only able to put together a single TD drive. A 14 play 74 yard drive in the 2nd quarter would culminate in a 6-yard TD pass to Jake Taylor.

Cal’s starters would barely need to do anything today, with Fernando Mendoza finishing 9/10 for 181 yards and 3TD. Byron Cardwell would also take an early rest after rushing for 131 yards and a TD on just 8 carries.

THE TAKEAWAY

The Golden Bears easily handled Duke, running over them in the second half. Cal escaped without any serious injuries and look to be in a good position to win the ACC Championship.

UP NEXT

California : ACC Championship.

**bayers3** · 09-07-2024, 09:54 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

**redsox907** · 09-08-2024, 01:26 AM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

even if you don't win the ACC you should make the playoff.

Rematch with Louisville in the title game? Crush em.

**bayers3** · 09-08-2024, 09:49 AM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

Originally posted by redsox907

even if you don't win the ACC you should make the playoff.

Rematch with Louisville in the title game? Crush em.

About that... really not sure how that works either.

**bayers3** · 09-08-2024, 09:50 AM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

CHARLOTTE, NC - After taking it easy in their final conference game, Cal would face the only team to beat them this season in their second straight trip to the Subway ACC Championship Game. The Golden Bears would find themselves in a win-or-go-home position in terms of the College Football Playoff, the winner of this game would be in while the loser would fall victim to #8 NC State occupying the 9th seed.

In the battle of Jeff Brohm vs. Justin Wilcox, it was readily apparent that one of them had the leg up today. A Byron Cardwell rushing TD and an unlikely Ryan Coe FG would have Cal up 10-0 in the 1st quarter, but it was obvious that Louisville’s secondary came prepared to handle just about everyone but Jack Endries.

The Golden Bears rushing attack looked flat against a Cardinals defense that started to favor inside blitzes while getting more penetration into the backfield than Wilcox is used to seeing.

Despite all of that, Cal looked to head into the half up 10-0 before Brady Allen hit Jimmy Calloway for a 34-yard TD. Initially it looked as though Sirmon’s bend-don’t-break approach would save them on this, but as Isaiah Crosby went to escort Calloway to the sidelines he miraculously managed to tip toe and keep himself in bounds. Coe, as expected, would miss a 28-yard FG before the half and Cal would sit on a 10-7 lead.

Calloway barely stays in, finishes off big play for a TD.

The second half would be familiar to anyone who has watched Cal regularly the past two seasons, specifically games in which they struggle. Wilcox would watch his side lose the turnover battle, and that would often be a precursor to a frustrating loss.

First an Adonijah Green strip sack would give Louisville the ball on Cal’s 26, resulting in a Donald Chaney TD run and a 14-10 lead. Then Mendoza would throw an interception in the endzone, with Cal on the 5, trying to hit Endries to take the lead.

Mendoza tries to force the ball to Endries, ends up giving it to Louisville.

Mendoza would make up for it on the next drive, taking Cal back down the field for Cardwell’s second TD run of the day and a 17-14. Cal’s defense would come up big time on the next drive, with Lousiville enjoying 3rd & 3 on the 4 yard line it looked like the lead was theirs. Ricky Correia would add to his Heisman campaign with a critical sack, making it 4th & 19 and forcing a 37-yard FG to tie.

Cal would flounder on their final possession, with Mendoze getting sacked twice before being forced to punt the ball away. Allen would put together one final drive, taking the clock almost to 0:00 before Jamerson Mallory would come on and kick a 33-yard FG to win Louisville’s first ACC title.

THE TAKEAWAY

Louisville got this done by comprehensively beating Cal in places it had dominated all season. Avoiding turnovers while forcing two from Cal, and logging 5 sacks to Cal’s 4 helped clog up a normally powerful Golden Bear offense. They were also dominated statistically, but managed to keep Cal out of the endzone. A disappointing end to a record breaking season for Cal, they will be headed to the 76 Birmingham Bowl instead of the College Football Playoff.

UP NEXT

California : 76 Birmingham Bowl.

**redsox907** · 09-08-2024, 05:08 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

oof. I figured being ranked #6 you wouldn't fall far enough to be out of the playoff with a ranked loss. But shows what I know.

5 sacks with the season on the line is rough. BUT still a fantastic season for Cal overall and one to build on to a playoff berth next season!

**bayers3** · 09-08-2024, 09:25 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

Originally posted by redsox907

oof. I figured being ranked #6 you wouldn't fall far enough to be out of the playoff with a ranked loss. But shows what I know.

5 sacks with the season on the line is rough. BUT still a fantastic season for Cal overall and one to build on to a playoff berth next season!

Had to go back and check, losing dropped me to #10 in the CFP rankings. For whatever reason, due to sitting around outside of a title game, 8-4 NC State moved up to #7 and took the #10 seed over me. I just think in reality the committee would look at an 11-2 school and keep them over an 8-4 one that didn't play in a title game.

**bayers3** · 09-09-2024, 10:25 AM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

**bayers3** · 09-09-2024, 06:23 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

The 2025 Heisman race might have been the wildest in recent memory, once Correia ascended to the top spot it seemed like every week the voters might change their mind and go with a QB or a WR. The fact that voters never actually wavered and stuck with him was surprising, but refreshing for an award so thoroughly dominated by offensive players.

2025 HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER

California DT Ricky Correia

All it took was (18) sacks and (40) tackles for a loss, that’s how you win the Heisman Memorial Trophy as a DT. Correia’s arms are going to be sore after holding all his silverware. He won the Chuck Bednarik and Lombardi Award to go along with his historic Heisman. It might be another three decades before we see a performance like this again.

Trend : Winner

THE RUNNERS-UP

Georgia QB Gunner Stockton

Cal’s Fernando Mendoza is looking very confused here, as Stockton finished 3rd in passing yards (Mendoza was 2nd) and the only QB that beat his 81% completion percentage was Mendoza (85%). He also finished behind Mendoza in yards per game and QB rating, so why is Stockton here? TD passes. Stockton’s (47) led the nation and managed to get voters to ignore his (12) interceptions. Georgia finishing #2 and 11-2 also helps.

Trend : Rising

Boise State QB Malachi Nelson

Nelson rode a late season hot streak, that helped Boise State grab the #3 seed in the College Football Playoff, but ultimately he was just filling out the stage for what most considered a competition between Stockton and Correia.

Trend : Rising

Miami WR Jeremiah Smith

In a volatile season that saw numerous players enter and leave this list, only Correia and Smith managed to make their way in and hold their place. Smith was a standout for Miami and played elite football every week, but with Miami falling out of the rankings it was hard for Smith to get the attention needed to move up the list and stay there.

Trend : Slightly Down

Penn State RE Abdul Carter

The voters seem to have fallen in love with defenders this year, but Carter couldn’t overcome the offensive bias even with a (16) sack season. He’s going to be a 1st round pick, but he won’t be heading home with the Heisman.

Trend : Slightly Down

**redsox907** · 09-09-2024, 08:13 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

I've heard of plenty of defensive players winning heismans but I've yet to see it so its a first for me.

Historic season for Cal and Correia all around. Definitely going to be exciting to see how you guys follow it up next year and how it impacts recruiting

**bayers3** · 09-10-2024, 09:29 AM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

Originally posted by redsox907

I've heard of plenty of defensive players winning heismans but I've yet to see it so its a first for me.

Historic season for Cal and Correia all around. Definitely going to be exciting to see how you guys follow it up next year and how it impacts recruiting

I'm extra confused on how the game calculates it, in a later season I think someone had 16 sacks in the first 5-6 games and he didn't even make the Top 5 at that point.

**bayers3** · 09-10-2024, 09:30 AM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Troy would enter this game looking for a 10-win season, but teams that face Cal after a loss have not done well in 2025. Few predicted the 63-7 trip to the woodshed Cal handed out to Stanfurd, but Justin Wilcox was determined to finish the season strong.

“Troy is a good team, and we have a bunch of guys who want to go out and win, it’s time to finish the season the way we started it.” Wilcox managed to avoid anyone sitting out the bowl game, “we have so many guys that want to get to twelve, be a part of that school record.”

The Trojans would get a little reminder of Cal’s potential on the opening drive when Trond Grizzell would take a short pass 42 yards for a 7-0 lead.The very next drive Marcus Scott II would pick off Tucker Kilcrease and take it back 75 yards for a humiliating pick-six.

Despite back-to-back disasters, Troy would play Cal’s running game as tough as anyone. Twice the Trojans would stop Cal on 4th & short to keep them close, and once Kilcrease hit MJ Johnson for a TD a 14-7 score would seem more manageable.

Mike Bloesch would stick with the ground game, and eventually Cal would start to get its way. Byron Cardwell and Larry Hall would start to break of 10+ yard runs, and then the blowout was on. Cal’s defense would also come around after Troy’s first score, clamping down on the passing game while allowing the Trojans a little running room. Damien Taylor would kill Cal, but it wasn’t enough to really open up their offense.

Kilcrease would be taken out in the 4th, finishing 12/21 with 131 yards. By this point the game was over, with Cal’s rushing attack moving them down the field there wouldn’t be much time for Troy to do anything.

THE TAKEAWAY

The win, Cal’s second straight bowl win, would set a school record with (12). Two years ago a bowl win would have felt like a big deal on it’s own, but with recent success it feels like Cal needs to expect more from its program.

UP NEXT

California : Long flight home.

**bayers3** · 09-10-2024, 08:46 PM

Re: Bear Territory : California CF25

MIAMI, FL - Proponents of the College Football Playoff expansion could not be happier about this game while Pac-12 fans probably walked away fairly bitter. #9 USC would use a Big 10 title game win over #3 Michigan to slip into the #2 seed, and then repeat that victory for a trip to Miami. On the other side of the bracket, #1 Texas A&M would stand tall as the top team on their way to face USC.

Initially it looked like the Aggies had this game wrapped up. Marcel Reed would total 215 passing yards in the first half with a TD to Cyrus Allen to go along with a rushing TD of his own. Up 20-3 before the half, it didn’t seem like USC had another big upset in them.

Miller Moss would turn that around, finding Kyron Hudson for his first TD of the game and then Lake McRee just before the half. Entering the half up only 20-17, things went south very quickly for Mike Elko’s side.

Reed would be intercepted twice in the second half, with both turnovers leading to a TD by USC. Texas A&M would be completely shut out by the USC defense and have to sit by as the Trojans took the National Title from them.

Bear Territory : California CF25

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