The California Golden Bears (2-1) overcame a slow start and scored 31 unanswered points to defeat the Idaho Vandals (2-1), 31-17, Saturday afternoon.
The visiting Vandals, who defeated the Nevada Wolfpack 33-6 last week, scored on their first three possessions of the game, commanding an early 17-0 scoreline. California’s defense initially struggled to keep up against the Idaho wide receivers and tight ends’ physical play and size.
“We didn't necessarily play impressively today,” California head coach Justin Wilcox told reporters in the post-game press conference. “I don’t know if our defense [or] anybody would say that overall.”
The momentum shifted with California’s second drive in the second quarter. California quarterback Sam Jackson V found junior wide receiver Jeremiah Hunter with a deep 20-yard touchdown down the middle of the field to help the home team dig themselves out of their hole.
On the next drive, California’s defense limited Idaho to only six plays before forcing a punt. The big defensive moves set up Jackson V to make a big play with less than two minutes in the first half. The redshirt sophomore play-caller threw a deep bomb to wide receiver Trond Grizzell, who brought the ball home 36 yards for a touchdown.
Despite California’s late second-quarter comeback, Idaho outgained the home team 248 yards to 168, earned more first downs and visited the red zone more often in the first half of the game.
But Idaho’s good fortunes did not last, as the Vandals made forced error after error. California’s secondary pulled down an interception in the last two minutes of the second quarter and seized two forced fumbles in the second half to put the game on ice.
Jackson V ended the game with 108 passing yards and two touchdowns thrown. He added 41 yards on the ground, including one 27-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter.
“I think I did a little bit better today, but [I] still got to make some better decisions on some plays,” Jackson V told reporters after the game. “I can do much better, for sure.”
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Thanks Rick.
On the one hand, in an all too common refrain under Wilcox they came out flat as f-ck and were thoroughly outplayed by an FCS team for more than 1/3rd of the game. Luckhurst missed another FG from the right hash, the DBs were exposed by big receivers, the D-line repeatedly failed to get their arms up into passing lanes to knock balls down, and, just like the week before v Auburn (and if we’re being honest, really the ENTIRE 6+ years of the Wilcox era) the O stagnated on multiple drives when they really could have given themselves much needed breathing room with a bear paw on the throat of an opponent.
OTOH, that FCS team is pretty good, the team made noticeable adjustments, and controlled the game from mid-2Q on in a workmanlike win.
There’s no clarity, though, and barring some unexpected leap or an A-ha moment by Sammy Jax where he just gets it and the game slows down, I can’t help but feel this team is going to continue to plod along in rock fights, maybe stun Wazzu, and be playing at the Rose Bowl with a 5-6 record, hoping for a win to gain bowl eligibility.
With the implosion of the P12, are we rooting for or against Deion…I think against…
Thoughts?