On a more positive note, those two games in 2018 made me think Wilcox COULD possibly contend for a conference title, as he seemed to know how to attack some of the tougher opponents in the conference. Tedford showed that capability early on too.
2014 BYU was the moment I gave up on Sonny Dykes. Not that he couldn't ever field a winning team, but that told me we would never contend for the conference title with him.
Cal needed to get a win at home to qualify for a bowl game, which would have been huge after the previous year's pathetic 1-win campaign. Instead we saw THAT.
I had forgotten how much individual talent was on some of those Sonny Dykes teams. 2013 had Nick Forbes, Josh Hill, Steve Williams, Avery Sebastian, Marc Anthony, Chris McCain, DeAndre Coleman, Kendrick Payne, Aaron Tipoti. The culture on the team was still in hangover mode from Tedford's decline, but that was a solid foundation for a defense. 2015 was pretty stocked too: Hardy Nickerson, Kyle Kragen, Jalen Jefferson, Stef McClure, Cam Walker, James Looney, Moose Jalil. Complementing a strong defense with a high-tempo, pass-heavy offense can pose some challenges, but the right D-coordinator and assistant coaches (like ours over the last three seasons) could have made a huge difference on those teams.
A lot of our high recruits didn't last the first season with Dykes. Chris McCain got ejected early in the season for taunting after a headhunt, and then IIRC was was either kicked off the team or left for some unspecified reasons.
Chris McCain was kicked off the team during 2013 season. David Wilkerson and Cecil Whiteside were on roster when Dykes arrived but left before the season started. Nick Forbes was injured before the season and did not play except for a few snaps late in season, then medically retired. Nathan Broussard missed entire 2013 and 2014 seasons. Steve Williams declared for NFL draft after Dukes was hired. Villiami Moala, Khairi Fortt, and Kam Jackson all played 2013 but left after season for NFL with eligibility left.
I think Steve Williams left for NFL after Dukes was hired and Anthony was done in 2012 as well. I think he was in same class as Marvin Jones that came in 2008. But we also had Michael Lowe, Kairi Fortt, Kam Jackson, Moala, Brennan Scarlett
For lowlights, the 2014 Arizona Hail Mary has to rank. Up 15 points with 5 minutes to go. Disgraceful. The only silver lining here is that it's the same year Justin Cobbs hit game-winner from the corner vs. Arizona at Haas.
We might be thinking the same thing about that 2015 Texas game if they didn't inexplicably miss the final PAT. Blowing all but one point of a 21 point lead in the fourth, including giving up 13 points in the final 3 minutes probably took a year or two off my life. Nothing was quite as stressful as watching Sonny Dykes try to manage a double-digit fourth quarter lead.
That Colorado game at home a few years ago where we won was particularly bad for the defense.
On a more positive note, those two games in 2018 made me think Wilcox COULD possibly contend for a conference title, as he seemed to know how to attack some of the tougher opponents in the conference. Tedford showed that capability early on too.
2014 BYU was the moment I gave up on Sonny Dykes. Not that he couldn't ever field a winning team, but that told me we would never contend for the conference title with him.
Cal needed to get a win at home to qualify for a bowl game, which would have been huge after the previous year's pathetic 1-win campaign. Instead we saw THAT.
We signed the best LB class in 2010, yet it was the beginning of downfall.
That 2013 defense was atrocious, but we've had a lot of great players come through last decade. Good memories
I had forgotten how much individual talent was on some of those Sonny Dykes teams. 2013 had Nick Forbes, Josh Hill, Steve Williams, Avery Sebastian, Marc Anthony, Chris McCain, DeAndre Coleman, Kendrick Payne, Aaron Tipoti. The culture on the team was still in hangover mode from Tedford's decline, but that was a solid foundation for a defense. 2015 was pretty stocked too: Hardy Nickerson, Kyle Kragen, Jalen Jefferson, Stef McClure, Cam Walker, James Looney, Moose Jalil. Complementing a strong defense with a high-tempo, pass-heavy offense can pose some challenges, but the right D-coordinator and assistant coaches (like ours over the last three seasons) could have made a huge difference on those teams.
A lot of our high recruits didn't last the first season with Dykes. Chris McCain got ejected early in the season for taunting after a headhunt, and then IIRC was was either kicked off the team or left for some unspecified reasons.
Chris McCain was kicked off the team during 2013 season. David Wilkerson and Cecil Whiteside were on roster when Dykes arrived but left before the season started. Nick Forbes was injured before the season and did not play except for a few snaps late in season, then medically retired. Nathan Broussard missed entire 2013 and 2014 seasons. Steve Williams declared for NFL draft after Dukes was hired. Villiami Moala, Khairi Fortt, and Kam Jackson all played 2013 but left after season for NFL with eligibility left.
I think Steve Williams left for NFL after Dukes was hired and Anthony was done in 2012 as well. I think he was in same class as Marvin Jones that came in 2008. But we also had Michael Lowe, Kairi Fortt, Kam Jackson, Moala, Brennan Scarlett
You're right. Like so many pass coverage assignments in 2012 and 2013, I got a little mixed up there.
Go Bears! I'm not reading about the lowlights. just say'n.
Sometimes you have to remember the lowlights to appreciate the highlights.
For lowlights, the 2014 Arizona Hail Mary has to rank. Up 15 points with 5 minutes to go. Disgraceful. The only silver lining here is that it's the same year Justin Cobbs hit game-winner from the corner vs. Arizona at Haas.
We might be thinking the same thing about that 2015 Texas game if they didn't inexplicably miss the final PAT. Blowing all but one point of a 21 point lead in the fourth, including giving up 13 points in the final 3 minutes probably took a year or two off my life. Nothing was quite as stressful as watching Sonny Dykes try to manage a double-digit fourth quarter lead.
ditto
ouch....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAVP88SXQw8