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Take off that Red Shirt's avatar

After every thing we’ve been through. The decades of inexplicable injuries, bad calls, heartbreaking losses, disrespect, humiliation, hopelessness, and the constant waving in our face that no one cares about Cal football. Combined with us being the last ones barelyy picked out of the Pac 12, and the soul of our team being snatched by the portal this offseason, this is the sweetest win I’ve ever witnessed in my 20 years of Cal fandom

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Daddy's avatar

I hear ya! That felt real good…

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AndDriveDriveDrive's avatar

This really feels like the beginning of a new era. Somehow they corrected all the mistakes that haunted us last year today. I’m so proud of Wilcox and the team for getting to this point.

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Justbear's avatar

We still gave up alot of third and longs

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GoldenSD81's avatar

Yeah and that was a problem with our defense last season. We would play great on 1st and 2nd down but then we would give up a lot of 3rd and 4th down conversions.

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sycasey's avatar

Minnesota's OL held up really well in those situations, I give some credit to them.

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CalBear91's avatar

We did not fade, we did not die, we did not give it away. We won! We matched them physically. We outplayed them on offense and defense. We outcoached them. It's been too long since we won games like this, this way. JKS, Harsin, Rolo, Anae. Those four are heroes of this game. The defense balled out. What is this ST play that we don't screw the pooch? Just normal, good ST play? We would have likely won anyway but they gave us the ball near the end zone on a ST screw up? Them and not us! Go Bears. Go coach Rivera! Go Chancellor Lyons! Go Wilcox! Go Bears!

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KetamineCal's avatar

That muffed punt turned the tide for sure. I was hoping our defense would get more of a boost when Cade Uluave returned in the 2nd half, but it seemed like Minnesota's running lanes became more open (I don't have any stats, just impression). Was getting REAL tired of Minnesota spamming outside run until we put a body there.

JKS had a couple freshman moments and is still trying to sync with his receivers, but he has obvious talent. The revamped OL seemed to hold against a good defense, which is encouraging.

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Go Eat A Taco's avatar

Brockington could have scorched us all night on that cross field drag pattern, worked every time they tried or we had a PI/hold. Thank goodness Minnesota (inexplicably) abandoned it.

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GoldenSD81's avatar

We probably would have lost this game last season. Especially when you consider we were out rushed and lost ToP.

The difference, we won special teams tonight. Last season we probably miss both those FGs and don’t recover the muffed punt and Minnesota is the one to miss a crucial FG.

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Go Eat A Taco's avatar

Harsin's game plan was brilliant and executed to perfection by a true freshman QB!! Yeah, last year we lose this game. I thought the play calling and strategy was awesome. Why run up the middle on 1st and 2nd when you know you can't. We didn't and went pass heavy with JKS ~ what a performance by him.

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AKBear's avatar

Wasn’t MN one of the top ranked D’s in D-1? And JKS throws for almost 300 yards and 3 TDs?

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Clifford Fewel's avatar

I believe Minnesota was #1, allowing 97 yards per game. I listened to the Minnesota radio broadcast ( SXM Channel 81 was occupied by another game), and their announcers noted that Cal had that many in the first quarter. It was nice to listen to other voices extolling Cal’s virtues. The lads played well, and I had none of the dread/sinking feeling of years (let’s be honest: decades) past. MN announcers noted, as has WFC, that we don’t face any of the top five (as of today) ACC teams. And that Cade Uluave’s backup made his first-half suspension a non-factor. Focus on the Aztecs, let everything else go, and we may have a great season.

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sycasey's avatar

Granted that #1 ranking was against Buffalo and Northwestern State, so who knows what that means?

But yeah, they are supposed to be good.

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Go Eat A Taco's avatar

Agreed. They have had a top D for the past several years, so they are known for better than average D. JKS completely handled a good D and Harsin had the courage to trust JKS. Lots of pressure on the lad and he seemed to be non-pulsed about the whole thing.

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sycasey's avatar

There were definitely things JKS could improve: not running backwards and taking a big sack unnecessarily, getting better touch on short passes over the linemen rather than sailing them, etc.

But for a true freshman in his 3rd game, extremely impressive.

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Blondiesandtopdog's avatar

Wow, what a game! I mean come on guys!!!! We have a QB and a defense. With that, we always have a chance. And ST that is not a liability? I don’t want to get too excited, but screw it. Let me be excited. This is amazing.

Think about this: Wilcox, Harsin, and Rolo. All of them have a chip on their shoulders and they are working together to build something special.

I am very proud of this team. Let’s stay healthy and clean up mistakes for next week and get ready for ACC play. BC doesn’t look as scary, and it will be a good game.

Go Bears!!

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napabear's avatar

BC, Va Tech, Duke, North Carolina, SMU all are looking less scary than at the beginning of the season

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MLocher's avatar

Sure is weird, after all the tumult between last winter and the off-season, to see the Bears playing some of their most solid, balanced football in memory... but hell if I'm going to be the one to complain. Roll on, y'all. Roll on.

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bearspot's avatar

Elated with this win! Maybe too elated.

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Blondiesandtopdog's avatar

No such thing!

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Swimmie1's avatar

Matriculating the ball? Innovative.

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MoriBear's avatar

I believe that’s from Keith Jackson from the ‘70s. Thought it was a nice pull from the archives. ;-)

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The Ghost of Joe Roth's avatar

Hank Stram, Coach of the KC Chiefs, is the one known for saying it.

https://www.nfl.com/100/originals/100-greatest/plays-74

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Swimmie1's avatar

Well, I’ll be damned. Respect. (Also…there’s a writer here old enough for the 70s? Thought it was just us readers.)

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azlefty's avatar

Balls can go to college.

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Stanfurdstinks's avatar

15-0

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space_lab's avatar

I just realized the first Cal game I ever went to was 2006 Cal-Minnesota. Longshore dropping bombs to Desean, Marshawn tearing it up…. Hope this can also be a special season.

https://calbears.com/news/2006/9/9/207747397.aspx

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Wiata78's avatar

Game summaries for your enjoyment:

ESPN highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvh604564XA

ACC Condensed game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF48PZ82imU

Watch both! ACC has more plays but leaves out the Minnesota missed FG.

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TezCalipoca's avatar

Now we need to do some hunting. Let's get UCLA's #1 receiver since he can now transfer. Maybe Vatech too. And two lineman

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WilderThanGene's avatar

if JKS stays, players will come

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TezCalipoca's avatar

No. I mean right fricken now. not next year. Lets spend big on THIS season. all the UCLA and VaTech players have 30 days to transfer if they want. lets poach them.

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WilderThanGene's avatar

I would love to get Jet back plus a good receiver

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WilderThanGene's avatar

interesting, I didn't realize mid-season transfers were a thing.

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royrules22's avatar

If a coach leaves the transfer portal opens for 30 days or the players can chose to redshirt. The latter I think is only possible because it's been fewer than four games played.

As for transfer, I'm not sure if they can immediately play for the new team. Anyone know?

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