The California Golden Bears (2-1) fell to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-2), 17-24, continuing its losing streak against the blue-blood college football program. The two quarterbacks struggled. Notre Dame quarterback Drew Pyne had his first career start Saturday, going three and out on the Fighting Irish’s first four drives of the game. On his fifth drive, he fumbled the snap, coughing the ball up to California.
How Angus has a job come Monday will be beyond me. Coleman needs to be moved back inside. The coaches claim his is our best and most athletic lineman. If true, the rest of the lads aren't D1 players. Move Coleman to LG, Driscoll to C, Vatikani to RG. Keep mixing / matching LT and RT until you find the right combination. But neither Rohme nor Session are playing well so no need to keep that experiment going.
I do not think harshly of Plummer. We were outmatched on both offensive and defensive lines with us being more fearsome than David, but somehow not as daunting as Goliath. He had virtually no pocket to pass from, which is something of a Cal trademark, remembering, what I like to call, "Jared Goff and the three alligator pass offense." Goff learned to do his reads and pass sooner rather than later or be crushed. One alligator, two alligator, three aligator, and the rush was manhandling him. Plummer just has not figured that out, yet. His legs were good and, oh my God, having Ott block for him, man, you gotta' love his brass and presence of mind in that moment.
If you may forgive the mixed metaphor, we brought a knife to a gunfight and almost won.
The team made me proud, even though it is frustrating just how close we came.
And maybe that is the only really bothersome thing- we dared to hope, even though it was not well-considered.
We're Goliath's smaller cousin, for now, and we should be happy we went the distance.
As I watch the way that Washington is dismantling No. 11 Michigan State, and earlier the way that Oregon blew past a ranked BYU team, and the way that WSU boatraced Colorado State, I am wondering how this Cal team is going to assemble four wins, let alone six that would get them to a bowl game.
My eye test says that Cal is stuck in quicksand while the rest of the conference - save Colorado - has made great strides.
Entertaining game versus a bad Notre Dame team, really? I have been watching Cal teams for 35 years, and I never felt this one was in doubt. Cal's defense could not make a stop in the second half when it mattered, and Plummer's heroics with his feet could not overcome a woeful sub 50% completion rate.
Cal desperately needs a win next week against a vastly improved Arizona team, but the casual fans that the program needs to fill the stadium will stay away in droves because they view the product as boring. I always know when I have watched a truly exciting Cal game because my voice is totally gone after the game. I feel like I could sing for the Met Opera right now.
Year 6 under Wilcox, and another “moral victory.” Everyone knows the offside penalty was horseshit and a total backbreaker, but we had plenty of chances against what is a bad ND team. How the hell is our o-line the worst position group year after year after year? You’d think at cal the one group we could recruit are the big dudes who go to class. But of course under the Wilcox regime of mediocrity, everyone will keep their jobs, and we’ll just keep on with the same shit. Meanwhile, Washington is in year one with a new coach, up 14 on Michigan state, in front of a full stadium. Insert ‘must be fuckin nice’ gif here.
Bill Musgrave has to go. The complete lack of adjustments in play calling in light of a struggling offensive line is inexcusable. Continuing to call long developing pass plays on deep drop backs in the face of heavy pressure? What are we even doing here Musgrave...
Our OL is just brutal. Even in plays where their DL was blocked, the pocket just collapses on Plummer in under 3 sec most of the time.
I counted at least 5 times where simple T E stunts or just plain missed assignments let a free rusher in. OL isn't just overmatched but not properly coached and prepped.
For all the talk about how talented our WRs are, we do a piss poor job of actually getting them the ball. Having 21 incompletions is inexcusable. Even ND switched to simple screen passes and PA passes to the flat to adjust to their qb being totally ineffective. What does Musgrave do? Just drop Plummer back, run double moves with our WRs while our OL collapses.
Lastly Musgrave needs to go. Forget whether if you think his play calling is good or not, his system is a relic of outdated 90s west coast offense. Offense are all about spacing, putting defenders in conflict, and letting qbs just make 1 or 2 simple reads. We do none of that. Musgrave is almost as bad as the guy calling for the T formation here.
Not sure what to say aside from the fact that we just don't have the horses and coaching on the O Line. It was absolutely brutal to watch the poor technique and 1-on-1 losses. Lots of off-balance pass pro, overcommitting to the DL's first move, lack of quickness. That's what separates the big boy teams from the rest--line play.
Frustrating end, but Cal fans overall seemed to have a fantastic time at the game. We had a great presence, tons of loud cheering, lots of good vibes and what an amazing atmosphere for college football. The only pre-game, negative shit-talking interaction with drunk ND fans was quickly de-escalated with a quick “hey hey hey, fuck $C, right?” All four guys in the group looked at each other and immediately agreed “that’s right, fuck $C” and high fives were had by all.
Plummer looked way more confident running (probably out of necessity). However his overthrows on short routes are frustrating. Unfortunately, our o-line is a weakness we haven't yet figured out how to either fix or scheme around (or if that's even possible at this stage) and I'm sure that's not helping.
Was glad I went to this game even though we lost. ND fans were great hosts and I was certainly entertained throughout. We were 2nd to last row and actually had decent sightlines. The American flag at half mast did block some of the action but it wouldn't have interfered if at its regular height so it's not like they tried to obstruct the visitors.
I don’t know about everybody, but that was an extremely entertaining game to watch. OLine is a hot mess, but that was some fun college football.
I just finished watching the second half. Frustrating. But a crazy last drive (how many lives did we get?) that ended in an almost hail mary.
ND coach needs to work on his body language. Showed his frustration a lot.
6 sacks!!
6 sacks!!
How Angus has a job come Monday will be beyond me. Coleman needs to be moved back inside. The coaches claim his is our best and most athletic lineman. If true, the rest of the lads aren't D1 players. Move Coleman to LG, Driscoll to C, Vatikani to RG. Keep mixing / matching LT and RT until you find the right combination. But neither Rohme nor Session are playing well so no need to keep that experiment going.
Lastly, Angus was left on the tarmac, right?
6 Sacks.
I do not think harshly of Plummer. We were outmatched on both offensive and defensive lines with us being more fearsome than David, but somehow not as daunting as Goliath. He had virtually no pocket to pass from, which is something of a Cal trademark, remembering, what I like to call, "Jared Goff and the three alligator pass offense." Goff learned to do his reads and pass sooner rather than later or be crushed. One alligator, two alligator, three aligator, and the rush was manhandling him. Plummer just has not figured that out, yet. His legs were good and, oh my God, having Ott block for him, man, you gotta' love his brass and presence of mind in that moment.
If you may forgive the mixed metaphor, we brought a knife to a gunfight and almost won.
The team made me proud, even though it is frustrating just how close we came.
And maybe that is the only really bothersome thing- we dared to hope, even though it was not well-considered.
We're Goliath's smaller cousin, for now, and we should be happy we went the distance.
As I watch the way that Washington is dismantling No. 11 Michigan State, and earlier the way that Oregon blew past a ranked BYU team, and the way that WSU boatraced Colorado State, I am wondering how this Cal team is going to assemble four wins, let alone six that would get them to a bowl game.
My eye test says that Cal is stuck in quicksand while the rest of the conference - save Colorado - has made great strides.
Entertaining game versus a bad Notre Dame team, really? I have been watching Cal teams for 35 years, and I never felt this one was in doubt. Cal's defense could not make a stop in the second half when it mattered, and Plummer's heroics with his feet could not overcome a woeful sub 50% completion rate.
Cal desperately needs a win next week against a vastly improved Arizona team, but the casual fans that the program needs to fill the stadium will stay away in droves because they view the product as boring. I always know when I have watched a truly exciting Cal game because my voice is totally gone after the game. I feel like I could sing for the Met Opera right now.
Year 6 under Wilcox, and another “moral victory.” Everyone knows the offside penalty was horseshit and a total backbreaker, but we had plenty of chances against what is a bad ND team. How the hell is our o-line the worst position group year after year after year? You’d think at cal the one group we could recruit are the big dudes who go to class. But of course under the Wilcox regime of mediocrity, everyone will keep their jobs, and we’ll just keep on with the same shit. Meanwhile, Washington is in year one with a new coach, up 14 on Michigan state, in front of a full stadium. Insert ‘must be fuckin nice’ gif here.
Thanks Rick.
Bill Musgrave has to go. The complete lack of adjustments in play calling in light of a struggling offensive line is inexcusable. Continuing to call long developing pass plays on deep drop backs in the face of heavy pressure? What are we even doing here Musgrave...
Our OL is just brutal. Even in plays where their DL was blocked, the pocket just collapses on Plummer in under 3 sec most of the time.
I counted at least 5 times where simple T E stunts or just plain missed assignments let a free rusher in. OL isn't just overmatched but not properly coached and prepped.
For all the talk about how talented our WRs are, we do a piss poor job of actually getting them the ball. Having 21 incompletions is inexcusable. Even ND switched to simple screen passes and PA passes to the flat to adjust to their qb being totally ineffective. What does Musgrave do? Just drop Plummer back, run double moves with our WRs while our OL collapses.
Lastly Musgrave needs to go. Forget whether if you think his play calling is good or not, his system is a relic of outdated 90s west coast offense. Offense are all about spacing, putting defenders in conflict, and letting qbs just make 1 or 2 simple reads. We do none of that. Musgrave is almost as bad as the guy calling for the T formation here.
Bears made a game of it. Just not enough offensive firepower in the end.
Happy to see Shane Vereen and Jason Kidd in Cal gear at halftime.
The offside call on the missed FG was tough. But Plummer is not accurate enough on passes 5+ yds downfield.
Not sure what to say aside from the fact that we just don't have the horses and coaching on the O Line. It was absolutely brutal to watch the poor technique and 1-on-1 losses. Lots of off-balance pass pro, overcommitting to the DL's first move, lack of quickness. That's what separates the big boy teams from the rest--line play.
is it really hard to recruit good OL? The OL has sucked for the last 10 years
In a surprise twist, "green out" meant money for the refs, not clothing
Frustrating end, but Cal fans overall seemed to have a fantastic time at the game. We had a great presence, tons of loud cheering, lots of good vibes and what an amazing atmosphere for college football. The only pre-game, negative shit-talking interaction with drunk ND fans was quickly de-escalated with a quick “hey hey hey, fuck $C, right?” All four guys in the group looked at each other and immediately agreed “that’s right, fuck $C” and high fives were had by all.
Plummer looked way more confident running (probably out of necessity). However his overthrows on short routes are frustrating. Unfortunately, our o-line is a weakness we haven't yet figured out how to either fix or scheme around (or if that's even possible at this stage) and I'm sure that's not helping.
Was glad I went to this game even though we lost. ND fans were great hosts and I was certainly entertained throughout. We were 2nd to last row and actually had decent sightlines. The American flag at half mast did block some of the action but it wouldn't have interfered if at its regular height so it's not like they tried to obstruct the visitors.
Wilcox and his offensive staff haven’t recruited and developed one HS QB recruit in 6 years.