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I looked at the film last night and here are my comments.

I watched every offensive play, multiple times, re-reviewing plays at every o-line position. As usual, the tape was not as bad as the game. I need to hold back on my first impressions. My judgement is still out on Angus, but I'm not as down on him as I was yesterday and I will explain why as I go through this review. (I should have written al this down as aI watched the tape, so if my memory is off a bit, I apologize)

There were a number of things that stood out. The first is a topic that Wilcox talks about: you cannot regularly put yourself in a third and long position and expect to consistently succeed. We did this to ourselves and often times it was because of a bad pass or read by Plummer. There were several occasions where he had an open man and missed passes that he usually makes. When he gets the ball out quick he has a higher success rate. (Stating the obvious).

One observation is that in the gun formation Plummer is only 5 yards back at the snap and tends to drop an additional step or two, but getting to 7 or 8 yards deep doesn't happen on every pass play. Why is this important? Because he needs room to step up into the pocket. If he is further back as a target then speed rushers adjust to that target and when he steps up it makes it easier for his tackles to stay with their blocks. Second, in our pass pro system our middle three give ground immediately (too much ground I think). If Plummer doesn't get back far enough then he leaves himself very little room to step up AND it gives the inside rushers an easier path the the QB. Plummer owns a big part in the pressure he is getting.

On a couple of sacks there was an outside speed rusher who came from our strong side. One was up on the line and the other looked like a corner or safety blitz. Plummer never seemed to see these guys until it was too late.

Also, if Plummer is allowed to audible, then he really made some bad run game reads when he should have changed the play at the line. There were several times when we ran power to the weak side (left side) and the strong side guard and tackle pulled to the left when a defensive end was lined up outside the tackle. That defensive end made the tackle behind the line of scrimmage coming untouched and hitting our RB before they even made a read. When looking at the defensive alignment, there was no way this play was going to work. Plummer should have seen it, then made the adjustment. I have noticed that Plummer has a weakness when it comes to being aware of where the outside threats are located. If he is aware of them, he doesn't seem to account for them.

When it came to giving up sacks the vast majority came from our strong side: Spencer Lovell, Brayden Rhome/TJ Sessions. Both Rhome and Sessions seem to have problems with speedy and athletic rushers. Sessions looked like he was a little more comfortable and its probably because of his athleticism. I think in time he will get better with reps of the technique needed, but this will be an ongoing problem until we coach our guys up.

Spencer Lovell is a BIG man. And he does a great job run blocking and pass blocking when there are no 'passing lanes' around him. If an opening presents itself and he is just a little out of position, he gets beat like a drum. There were at least three sacks against UNLV that happened when a defender just blew by Lovell. This is a weak spot and I think UNLV exploited it later in the game. They would send their defensive end on an outside route to the QB and our tackle took the bait and stepped out to engage the rusher, creating a lane between our tackle's inside and Lovell's outside. Every time I saw this happen, Lovell got burned. There are a couple of things we can adjust to make sure this doesn't continue to happen: the first one is that the tackle should not go outside to engage the outside rusher, he should step in and back, thereby taking away the passing lane on Lovell's outside and effectively putting himself at the intersection between the outside rusher and the QB. From this position the tackle can make his next adjustments on the outside rusher. But the rule is, do not go after them, be patient, put yourself between them and the QB and let them come to you (eventually). I don't recall if our OT at the time was Sessions or Rhome, but I would imagine it was Sessions because he is new and still learning our system.

Our run blocking was fairly good, except on the 'powers' (or whatever they call them) where we had backside guys pull and leave a d-end untouched. It seemed that the opposite side d-ends made the play every time. We need to fix whatever the problem is on this play. Also, there were some blocking schemes that seemed really odd to me. I don't know the names of the plays that were called, but when I see an alignment where one of our o-lineman has a long step for a reach block when the next guy over has an easy block on that defender, and their jobs could easily switch where the guy with the longer block adjusts to pick up the second level player. There were just some weird schemes to me. These should have been picked up and adjusted during the game. Three observations from our run game: 1. UNLV's d-linemen played off the ball which forced us to make long steps to get to them and allowed them time to read and react. It also creates natural gaps for the defense to exploit, especially ILB's. 2 . Our big bodies do a good job getting contact and setting up blocks correctly with that initial contact. 3. But we are missing two things: finish and real nastiness. There were so many times when our O-linemen owned the UNLV opponent and just stopped blocking. I want to see feet moving and defenders getting drilled into the ground. In fairness, the d-linemen for UNLV were BIG. I only see nasty from two of our O-Liners: Cindo and Driscoll. They have it. Our other guys need to find it.

Run game part deux: we play a different game when Jayden Ott is in. He sees things that the other guys don't see. His speed allows him to do things that our other RB's can't do. I am sad to say it, but Moore can't get yards unless the conditions are perfect. Brooks appears to do a better job of finding a crack and getting four or five yards, but every time Ott touches the ball he is a threat to break it long. I now recognize that when Moore and Brooks are in the game, our run game will not be nearly as effective as when Ott is in the game. I hope the coaches come to this conclusion. Sometimes, as much as you like an older player who has paid his dues, you have to play the younger better player for the team's sake.

Screens and receiver blocking. Jermaine Terry has a lot to learn about run blocking. Plain and simple, he was terrible and every time he was in on rub blocking he got beat, badly. Likewise in our screen game, our outside blocking by receivers was terrible. If we don't fix this then we should stop running screens. And on our run plays when we had receivers as additional blockers on our line, they were worthless. Fundamentally, blocking is about attacking someone and taking them out. If you won't hit anyone when you are supposed to be blocking then you should not be in the game.

Closing thoughts. When I watched the film what was very apparent is that our mistakes all seemed to come at critical times. Plummer needs to complete some easy passes, make better reads on the run game and outside rushing threats. As to our O-Line we actually played pretty well, except for bad plays at critical times that ended drives, and some of those forced errors were not because of bad blocking, but because of poor schemes.. Our strong side needs a lot of work in pass pro. And I want to see our guys destroying d-lineman, not sumo wrestling. All of this can be corrected by watching film and coaching in practice. That being said, we need to do a lot better job of making successful blocking adjustments during the game. McClure is in my hotseat.

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Oh my goodness, thank you so much for seeing and describing in such great detail, what the heck was happening on the line and in the game yesterday. So much of the second half especially was just plain hard to watch and accept. Yes, play Ott as much as possible. The line and the team is better overall when he is in the game. Significantly better, so keep him in there as much as possible. I don't know after these first two games if the screens and pass plays to the flats can be fixed. The blocking isn't really there. It's weird. If one of those plays have ever worked, I missed it. As you say, gotta hit to block, hopefully the receivers will learn that. I am going to watch the game again so I can get up to speed on the reads. Those 3rd and long downs happened much too often. OK, so anyway, we won, and screaming like a crazy person for the last ten minutes of the game was kinda fun. The frustrating thing is we seem so close to being much better, with the talent and speed of the team, but can't quite get there consistently. Thank goodness for the defense. But it shouldn't be like that, the offense just has to be better.

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Thanks Rugbear for the cogent analysis. It sounds like there might be some fixes for what went wrong and I hope some adjustments can be made by Saturday.

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Thanks, but they have a lot of years of combined experience and I'm sure they know the fixes...just hope they can implement them. Remember, hindsight is way easier and watching film to correct issues is easier than game time adjustments. And, it's considered a big no-no to try and contact coaches about this stuff. They'll either succeed or it's the law of the jungle. Only the best survive.

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He's in my hotseat. He should have seen how UNVL d-liners were lining up off the ball and creating gaps, which completely changes the run game (Musgrave should have seen this as well). I would have switched from reads to quick hitting plays and exploited the gaps the defense gave us before they had time to make reads. Second, he had to see how those 'powers' were not working and make adjustments for that. And lastly, he should have talked to our strong side tackle and implored him not to go after the defender, but to be patient. These are in game fixes that were not done. Now he has to coach these kids up. In fairness there will always be mistakes and some sacks every game, but you can't allow your strong side guard to give up three sacks. I want to see big improvement next week. My worry is that the drills that are required to build fundamental habits need to be done just about every day in practice, and it's a bit late to start.

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Thanks Bob!

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"It's difficult to play football without an offensive OR a defensive line" - Nick (I was standing right in front of him.

Everything else looks in place for a decent to good football team - great offensive skill players. rangy linebackers and a good defensive backfield. Just missing those last two. . .GIANT pieces.

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Wilcox should have that fixed by year 10, he just needs more time to fix it.

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The lack of physical play by our offense is concerning. Every play looks like an emergency. When we run, it is entirely on the back to make a play, when we pass, Plummer is under pressure almost from the moment the ball is snapped... hard to see more than one or two conference wins.

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After Notre Dame's loss, they'll be out for blood right?

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Defense missed some tackles (especially in the backfield) but they obviously carried us to victory in the 2nd half. I can't say that they look like the best defense of the Wilcox era (as touted) yet, but they earned today's win.

For the offense, Jaydn Ott is a dazzling player with star potential. I'd love to see what he could do with a more consistent o-line. There was one play where he showed great patience waiting for a gap to open. Maybe I just had an unusually good angle but he looked like he saw the game in Matrix time.

I cringe every time I see Plummer run. Have we seen him slide yet or has he always just taken the hit?

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My first thought after seeing Ott's first couple carries against UC Davis last week was "This guy is going to transfer next year." This kid deserves to play on a real D1 team whose ceiling is higher than 6 or 7 wins.

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It's certainly a concern, especially how his recruitment went. Guess it's up to Cal to continue the recruitment process while he's enrolled.

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I would think that involves giving him the football

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Especially with an o-line that can't create gaps, I can't see how he isn't on top the depth chart. Dude can create.

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O-line was glaringly bad. We are going to get run in South Bend next week without a shake up in the trenches.

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It's a shame people can't enjoy a Cal football victory, especially given how relatively we few we've gotten over the last six decades. I understanding that there will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth over how we won, but personally I'm saving it for a day or two and savoring an afternoon well-spent at Memorial Stadium among friends. Palms of Victory.

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Honestly though, today's game was not enjoyable. It was fun in the first half but man what an awful game it was in the second half.

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I feel sorry for you if you can't enjoy Cal winning a football game.

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Sep 11, 2022·edited Sep 11, 2022

Having low expectations for your team and simply enjoying any technical victory no matter the level of competition is part of the systemic issue surrounding the program. Welcome to being a fan of a mid-major team. We're a good-not-great Mountain West team at this point in year 6 of the Wilcox era. I guess it's something we must inevitably accept and move on with, but some still refuse that kind of resignation.

So, kudos to people like Justbear for having higher standards and not taking part in the complacency or apathy. These people are the unsung heroes if this program is to ever improve again.

You dont pity heroes for their emotional sacrifice, while the rest of us blissfully bank on history and tradition and enjoy the few and fleeting victories that come, you thank them!

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Sep 11, 2022·edited Sep 11, 2022

We most definitely did not win the second half. I mean it was an exciting game and I was yelling my head off, but the fact that it was exciting means games later in the season will not be fun.

I’ve watched enough decades of piss poor Cal football that I’m allowed to not entirely enjoy a squeezed out victory over lesser competition. I know perfectly well what that means.

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What is up with the O line? I really think they need a coaching change. Cal has had mediocre O-lines throughout Wilcox's tenure.

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We’re seeing the signs of losing coach wood

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This program is an embarrassment to our beloved alma mater. You have players and coaches running on the field and hugging after barely surviving this game. UNLV is a perpetual FBS doormat in an vastly inferior conference. We’re a founding football member of the PAC 12 and arguably the worlds best public university. This is the best team we can field? Pathetic.

Wilcox, Players, Athletic Administration: look in the mirror, raise yourself to the level of excellence required to properly represent CAL.

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I have no problem with young people celebrating a victory, especially after a game that went down to the final whistle. Also we're not "arguably the world's best public university" we ARE the best.

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Could be worse…we could be Nebraska…

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I bailed, not viewing unlv final possession. Did not peek at final score until a few mins ago. Was ramping up my acceptance/resignation mode and it turns out holding the win requires the that mode as well.

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How brave of you to admit that on a public forum.

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The last two UNLV drives, our defense played like the game was on the line. The playcalling was aggressive. It reminded me of the days TDR called plays.

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The two sacks with 3/4-man rushes to end it were phenomenal. The final offensive possession where our star RB is on the bench and run for no gain three times in a row... less so.

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USC is rolling like I thought they would. Lincoln Riley is going to lay 50 on us.

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Sep 11, 2022·edited Sep 11, 2022

Fact. While their defense may likely prevent them from a CFP berth, I’m nonetheless “never saying never” to a P12 Championship game win and a strong bid. That Oct 15 game at Rice-Eccles gonna be monstrous...

Team was already a monster once they landed the Oklahoma triumvirate...then they threw millions to lure the best WR in CFB, and it was all over. Jordan Addison is bonkers.

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I didn’t even realize Travis Dye still had eligibility left and that he transferred to USC until tonight.

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$c gonna lay 50 on everyone. It will be insufferable.

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"Defense!" (clap, clap) "defense!" (clap, clap), "defense!" (clap, clap). Our heroes.

Well, that was fun in a weird sort of way. Would have been nice if the first string offensive line showed up. In any event it was a nice birthday present for Andy Smith who I'm sure looked down at the game and was at least satisfied with a victory. Oh by the way, Go Bears!

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Defense indeed!

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Sep 11, 2022Liked by Rick Chen

Thanks for the recap, Rick!

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Sep 11, 2022Liked by Rick Chen

We won.

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The legacy of Justiin Wilcox...wins that feel like losses....

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Sep 11, 2022·edited Sep 11, 2022

This was a rare cal win where we were out prepared, out coached, and out played. We deserved to lose and somehow won.

Edit: but we won. Last year this is a loss. Sometimes you just need to win ugly and we got the job done.

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This reminded me of the UNR game last year.

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Been a theme with Musgrave. Once we run out of scripted plays we just sputter.

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Hi Haas, respectfully, I don't think this is the case at all. He has a sheet with plays on it for different down and distance situations that they have practiced during the week. And they can run them out of different formations. There is no OC (or DC) that can make perfect play calls all the time, it's just impossible. But that's why on offense you have audibles. Please also understand that when I do my evaluations, they reach to the point of perfection. That is never going to happen. We got the W. That's all that counts. The rest we can learn from and get better. But, even if we strive for perfection, its really hard to get there...ask Nick Saban. ;-)

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Very fair point and I don’t disagree at all.

We can build on this and will hopefully be a better team for it. It is just a concerning trend that our offense consistently dissipates after the first two to three drives. As you point out, it could be execution or we simply have not successfully made adjustments to counter what the defense is doing.

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UNLV definitely didn't outplay us - but we tried our best to make it close.

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They absolutely did, we just had a more talented roster and talent won out.

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We way outplayed them in first half. Got somewhat outplayed in second. It is a win. I’ll take it!

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UNLV only bested Cal on rushing, which was 103 yds (3.3ypc) for UNLV and 92 yds (2.9ypc) for Cal, sacks (4 v 3), and TFL (8 v 6). We were even on turnovers (1 int each). Otherwise we had more total yards, more passing yards, higher passing %, more YPA, more first downs, did much better on 3rd & 4th down conversions, and won the time of possession.

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That's also because UNLV didn't insist on benching their best RB to play experience -- they just played whoever gave them the best chance on winning.

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Exactly, Arroyo and co coached circles around us yesterday.

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Sep 11, 2022·edited Sep 11, 2022

We won the game and that’s all that matters. But the redzone play and the offensive line are serious issues.

Edit: we also were the superior team and talent won out. If these teams had equal rosters we lose 10/10 times. That is the concern going into ND and conference.

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^Excellent!

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