Cal played Wake Forest for the second time today. Both schools are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. After much smoke around the decision, backup quarterback Jackson Brosseau appeared for his second straight start for the Cal Bears. The night was marked by a celebration of 60 years of the long running relationship between the Grateful Dead and Berkeley, with Cal donning special helmets to mark the occasion.
Wake Forest found the end zone in their first two offensive possessions. The first drive was punctuated by two gashing passes from Demon Deacons signal caller Gio Lopez, both of which found TE Dominick Barry. The second drive was aided by an ill fated decision by Cal to go for it on 4th and 1 in their own territory. Wideout Jack Foley found himself wide open for the second score, another pass that got over 20 air yards, making the score 14 - 0 in Wake Forest’s favor with just over six minutes left in the first quarter.
The second quarter opened with Wake Forest once again at midfield. A shot to WR Kam Shanks brought the drive inside the Bears 5 yard line and RB Jamar Searcy ran it in two plays later to make it 21-0 in favor of Wake Forest after the extra point with well over 12 minutes left in the half. Stuck in their own territory on 3rd and 10 on the next possession, Kam Shanks once again came down with a big yardage pass. Gio Lopez ran for another set of downs before RB Ty Clark III scored the fourth touchdown of the night for Wake Forest with 8:54 left in the first half. Wake unsuccessfully attempted a Philly special for a 2 point conversion, leaving the score to 27-0 in their favor.
Cal’s next possession found them in scoring position once again, but the Bears could not convert on 4th and goal from the four yard line, and Wake took possession once more with under two minutes in the half. TE Dominick Barry reeled in another touchdown with nine seconds left in the half, the extra point brought the score to 34-0.
Wake Forest ate up around six minutes of clock on their scoreless drive to start the third quarter, but Cal could not respond. On the Demon Deacons second drive of the quarter, tight end Dominick Barry scored his 3rd touchdown of the night, with the successful extra point, making the score 41-0 to Wake Forest.
Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele entered the game late in third quarter. Despite connecting with Chase Hendricks on his first attempt of the evening, Cal punted shortly after. JKS’s second drive took place near the top of the fourth quarter, and bore more fruit. The Bears looked the best they had all night, matriculating the ball down the field, finding Mason Mini for a 28 yard touchdown, making the score 41-7 for Wake Forest. This would be the final score of the game.
I went to tonight's game as a guest of my older son. I had a great time with him and my younger son. It was great spending time with both of them. The game was a farce, however. Not since 2001 have I seen a team play so badly as this team. And the coaching decision to start Brusseau over Sagapolutele is incomprehensible.
I don't think there's any leadership in the program. Chancellor Lyons needs to fire both Rivera and Lupoi.
Sigh