Last year’s huge 3-game win streak came on the backs of guys making big plays in crucial spots when they were absolutely needed. That happened tonight.
What an awesome job by the ST unit, and I especially want to praise Coe. It would have been easy to give up after the start of the year but he had two huge long (54 yards!!!) field goals that proved absolutely necessary. Without him Cal is needing to come from behind at the end. Respect!
Honestly, and as ridiculous as it sounds as I write it, this is probably one of, if not the best ST games by a Cal squad ever. A blocked FG, a fumble and score, 4-4 FGs with two from outside 50. Not to mention another fumble that was called back for an inconsequential facemask and a punt that could've been down at the 1, which could have made this performance even more elite.
And he’s still developing as a QB. There’s plenty of upside there. He sticks around in Berkeley another couple of years he could easily finish on the short list of top Cal QBs. Keep grinding.
It will be interesting to see with Merriweather and Grayes back if he starts going over the top a little more. My only real fear with him (besides him not getting down in time on one of his scampers) is that we start seeing more defenses jump coverage on those short slants and out that he leans on heavily. Wake was giving the receivers too much cushion IMO.
That’s where I would have liked to see him take some easy throws. That pick was especially brutal because a number of Cal receivers had 10-yard cushions that he just didn’t seem to recognize and literally threw directly into the coverage and an INT. A lot of that may be a facet of the route tree, but if that’s the case, you would hope the coaching staff would make the adjustments. I am sure Mendoza does not have the freedom that a pro QB has to change a play at the line to a hot read, but that’s something this O will hopefully improve on because there were multiple easy AF, pitch and catch plays that were available, all night….and if you’re going to struggle to get easy yards on the ground, you have to get easy yards somewhere.
Well on his way to Cal HOF, IMHO, but, wait, there's more! Stay tuned.
Another thing I noticed, it's becoming more than Nando and a few "stars" willing the team to victory. The team culture seems to be congealing. Now, if only we can exorcise those penalty demons.
When we were only up by 3 points, there was a moment in time that I was convinced Cal was, again, ready to give away the game. It was the same script - the defense starts to lose steam, and the offense can’t move down the field.
But this time, Fernando Mendoza ran the ball for what seemed like 40 yard on one play. Shortly after, Jet Thomas ran into the end zone. Fernando keeping the ball and running has been a steady 1st down factory for us and I’m surprised Wake Forest wasn’t ready for it.
I do think that we still would have won if it wasn’t for those end of game interceptions on back to back drives during the Wake Forest offense. But it would have felt a lot closer.
I had in previous weeks written that Cal was unable to improve and learn from their mistakes, but it seems like they are starting to finally gel.
It would seem to me that our Achilles Heel is end of game management. We need to be able to run the ball down the opponents throats at will in the 4th quarter with 5 minutes left in the game. That is the one thing this team needs the MOST. Every game we have lost this season, if we were simply able to just run the ball 5 yards per carry every snap, we would have been undefeated. And somehow that is something we just can’t do. That comes down to two things. Offensive line push - which is part strength and conditioning, part staying healthy, and part coaching. And the other thing is running back elusiveness and power. You can’t just put any big guy back there and hope that he’ll get those yards because if they know it’s coming, they will find a way to stop you from getting those yards. You have to be shifty enough that they aren’t exactly sure which lane you are intending to hit, so that when you DO hit it, you have a reaction advantage. But once you do, you still need that power.
right now your O line has two freshmen at either tackle spot. Juniors at the guards. Sure they are having trouble because they are inexperienced. With this year under their belt, I'm sure they will be much better next year and with the youth at QB (Mendoza) and running backs, receivers and tight ends, our offense should be GREAT next year.
The one thing that really worked as well as it has to date last night, Coach, were the Mendoza keepers. Some of the biggest plays of the 2H, including the long run late, were crucial. Wonder if the pass-heavy spread approach really helped open up the running lanes on the QB keeper...Fernando has not always found that much daylight at the 2nd level this season.
Cardiac Cal prevails. The fourth quarter had a distinctly Dykesian feel to it as it appeared we were headed for OT or an extremely close soul crushing loss. But Nando, Jet, Johnson, and Woodson said otherwise.
Extremely good to see the offense open up and put points up on the board. The running game could be better to balance out. Kudos to the special teams play. Kickoff strip, fumble, scoop and score. Four for four FG's, including two 54 yard FG's ! The defense playing with inspiration, given some time to rest with the offense on the field. Tipped passes, relentless pursuit of the ball carrier, add in 3 int's.
Defense needs to account for why the qb is not under center - possible trick play (?).
This is a complete team victory. Everyone should be really happy with this game.
A preview (?) of what this team is capable of for the rest of the season.
Cal fans: One more thing. Why is Ott having so much trouble getting through holes? That fourth quarter touchdown by Thomas was huge and he seems to be having more success than Ott getting to the edge and running through holes. Thoughts?
Two things: 1) historically poor o-line; 2) he's trying to hit home runs when he should be trying to hit singles. Javian has been successful not only because he has been healthy, but because he's been decisive at the line of scrimmage and is willing to get 2 yards if that's all that the best of the least options allow. Ott probes for holes that are never going to come.
So Ott is looking beyond the tacklers for a hole thinking he can get around them or he doesn’t spin out to the side bc he’s planning ahead? Also is it bc they have him run up the middle every single time?
Part of why Javian has been more successful (beside health obv.) is that he has been decisive at the line of scrimmage and has been content to the creases given, regardless if it means getting stuffed for 1 or two yards and trusting that it will eventually pay off. He trying to move the line with force. Ott has been reluctant to trust testing the small creases. Could be because he's hurt, but a lot of it feels to me that he's overly patient trying to hit homeruns that just aren't going to materialize.
Thank you for your observations. I feel so bad for him…I love his loyalty and leadership. His character is admirable. He cares and has compassion. He is a very unique player and we have been so lucky to have him, but I feel so bad for his struggles. I am sure it is very frustrating and not fun for him. I don’t want his decision to stay to hurt his future.
Also about the oline issues. Last year that was a problem too. So I know we fans all did we just need a good oline they the portal. So what happened here bc it does not seem like that obvious problem was resolved at all.
Also a question about the pass heavy offense. In baseball pitcher’s longevity is a factor based on how many pitches they throw right? Can the same be said of Nando and the number of throws he is making? Just wondering.
Don’t think Ott is the same player he was last year, and defenses are still massively keying on him. His shiftiness from last year is gone, and the power to carry a tackler or two is lacking as well.
Jet and Wiley are looking much better than Jaydn now.
Plus, Ott's characteristic and own version of a "slow mesh", where he patiently waits for a crease, has been on so much film that most schools know to keep him double spied upon- always.
Personally, I think it's more a case of indecisiveness than explosiveness. He's just overly patient waiting for holes that aren't going to come instead of just attacking the line with force as Javian has.
We played well on both sides of the ball and lots of things fell in our favor (turnovers, solid kicking game, etc.), and yet it was still a little too close to comfort. I guess this is just what it's going to be for us this year.
Very exciting game. Mendoza was very accurate and ran great when he had to. Losing Uluave in the first half hurt our run defense. However Barth and Williams both filled in well. Ott surprised me with his hesitating running on dive plays. He should hit the hole or where it is supposed to be by going FULL speed and maybe bouncing to the outside if it is plugged up. Our Nickel backs were having a bad time covering their area on zones. Over all Cal is improving and they are YOUNG especially on offense.
Wilcox said in postgame presser that it was on him. He did something wrong and took accountability. I didn’t quite hear what the reason was as his microphone was really low.
Nice work. Thanks Rick!
Last year’s huge 3-game win streak came on the backs of guys making big plays in crucial spots when they were absolutely needed. That happened tonight.
Keep making individual plays and beat Cuse.
Avoided multiple heart events, great seeing bears close one out! Special Teams came thru!
What an awesome job by the ST unit, and I especially want to praise Coe. It would have been easy to give up after the start of the year but he had two huge long (54 yards!!!) field goals that proved absolutely necessary. Without him Cal is needing to come from behind at the end. Respect!
Honestly, and as ridiculous as it sounds as I write it, this is probably one of, if not the best ST games by a Cal squad ever. A blocked FG, a fumble and score, 4-4 FGs with two from outside 50. Not to mention another fumble that was called back for an inconsequential facemask and a punt that could've been down at the 1, which could have made this performance even more elite.
Like most Cal fans, I started thinking "here we go again". But the offense and defense both stepped up to put the game away. GO BEARS!!!!
Fernando's completion rates are ridiculous!
And he’s still developing as a QB. There’s plenty of upside there. He sticks around in Berkeley another couple of years he could easily finish on the short list of top Cal QBs. Keep grinding.
It will be interesting to see with Merriweather and Grayes back if he starts going over the top a little more. My only real fear with him (besides him not getting down in time on one of his scampers) is that we start seeing more defenses jump coverage on those short slants and out that he leans on heavily. Wake was giving the receivers too much cushion IMO.
That’s where I would have liked to see him take some easy throws. That pick was especially brutal because a number of Cal receivers had 10-yard cushions that he just didn’t seem to recognize and literally threw directly into the coverage and an INT. A lot of that may be a facet of the route tree, but if that’s the case, you would hope the coaching staff would make the adjustments. I am sure Mendoza does not have the freedom that a pro QB has to change a play at the line to a hot read, but that’s something this O will hopefully improve on because there were multiple easy AF, pitch and catch plays that were available, all night….and if you’re going to struggle to get easy yards on the ground, you have to get easy yards somewhere.
Well on his way to Cal HOF, IMHO, but, wait, there's more! Stay tuned.
Another thing I noticed, it's becoming more than Nando and a few "stars" willing the team to victory. The team culture seems to be congealing. Now, if only we can exorcise those penalty demons.
When you give away as many games as we gave away , last second winning is ugly. I now expect these guys to go on a major run in the ACC.
*fingers crossed
I'll cross myself, but wait on holding my breath.
Bloesch showed some improvement last night, apart from up-the-middle on repeat a few too many times.
When we were only up by 3 points, there was a moment in time that I was convinced Cal was, again, ready to give away the game. It was the same script - the defense starts to lose steam, and the offense can’t move down the field.
But this time, Fernando Mendoza ran the ball for what seemed like 40 yard on one play. Shortly after, Jet Thomas ran into the end zone. Fernando keeping the ball and running has been a steady 1st down factory for us and I’m surprised Wake Forest wasn’t ready for it.
I do think that we still would have won if it wasn’t for those end of game interceptions on back to back drives during the Wake Forest offense. But it would have felt a lot closer.
I had in previous weeks written that Cal was unable to improve and learn from their mistakes, but it seems like they are starting to finally gel.
It would seem to me that our Achilles Heel is end of game management. We need to be able to run the ball down the opponents throats at will in the 4th quarter with 5 minutes left in the game. That is the one thing this team needs the MOST. Every game we have lost this season, if we were simply able to just run the ball 5 yards per carry every snap, we would have been undefeated. And somehow that is something we just can’t do. That comes down to two things. Offensive line push - which is part strength and conditioning, part staying healthy, and part coaching. And the other thing is running back elusiveness and power. You can’t just put any big guy back there and hope that he’ll get those yards because if they know it’s coming, they will find a way to stop you from getting those yards. You have to be shifty enough that they aren’t exactly sure which lane you are intending to hit, so that when you DO hit it, you have a reaction advantage. But once you do, you still need that power.
Am I making any sense here?
right now your O line has two freshmen at either tackle spot. Juniors at the guards. Sure they are having trouble because they are inexperienced. With this year under their belt, I'm sure they will be much better next year and with the youth at QB (Mendoza) and running backs, receivers and tight ends, our offense should be GREAT next year.
Wasn’t Cal’s starting LT a TE like 12 minutes ago?
Would love to see Bloesch mix it up with a lead and go 13 personnel with Jet, Endries, Johnson, Dyches, and Grizzell.
Run. The. Football.
YES. Run the ball. More sweeps, reverses, and maybe an option or two. Take it to "cute" next Saturday
The one thing that really worked as well as it has to date last night, Coach, were the Mendoza keepers. Some of the biggest plays of the 2H, including the long run late, were crucial. Wonder if the pass-heavy spread approach really helped open up the running lanes on the QB keeper...Fernando has not always found that much daylight at the 2nd level this season.
Cardiac Cal prevails. The fourth quarter had a distinctly Dykesian feel to it as it appeared we were headed for OT or an extremely close soul crushing loss. But Nando, Jet, Johnson, and Woodson said otherwise.
OH, yeah, the under bets got smoked to Hell last night.
Which makes me wonder how our defense is running hot and cold.
Mendoza is clearly NFL-bound. Hope he sticks around for a long time....
Extremely good to see the offense open up and put points up on the board. The running game could be better to balance out. Kudos to the special teams play. Kickoff strip, fumble, scoop and score. Four for four FG's, including two 54 yard FG's ! The defense playing with inspiration, given some time to rest with the offense on the field. Tipped passes, relentless pursuit of the ball carrier, add in 3 int's.
Defense needs to account for why the qb is not under center - possible trick play (?).
This is a complete team victory. Everyone should be really happy with this game.
A preview (?) of what this team is capable of for the rest of the season.
Cal fans: One more thing. Why is Ott having so much trouble getting through holes? That fourth quarter touchdown by Thomas was huge and he seems to be having more success than Ott getting to the edge and running through holes. Thoughts?
Two things: 1) historically poor o-line; 2) he's trying to hit home runs when he should be trying to hit singles. Javian has been successful not only because he has been healthy, but because he's been decisive at the line of scrimmage and is willing to get 2 yards if that's all that the best of the least options allow. Ott probes for holes that are never going to come.
So Ott is looking beyond the tacklers for a hole thinking he can get around them or he doesn’t spin out to the side bc he’s planning ahead? Also is it bc they have him run up the middle every single time?
Part of why Javian has been more successful (beside health obv.) is that he has been decisive at the line of scrimmage and has been content to the creases given, regardless if it means getting stuffed for 1 or two yards and trusting that it will eventually pay off. He trying to move the line with force. Ott has been reluctant to trust testing the small creases. Could be because he's hurt, but a lot of it feels to me that he's overly patient trying to hit homeruns that just aren't going to materialize.
Thank you for your observations. I feel so bad for him…I love his loyalty and leadership. His character is admirable. He cares and has compassion. He is a very unique player and we have been so lucky to have him, but I feel so bad for his struggles. I am sure it is very frustrating and not fun for him. I don’t want his decision to stay to hurt his future.
Also about the oline issues. Last year that was a problem too. So I know we fans all did we just need a good oline they the portal. So what happened here bc it does not seem like that obvious problem was resolved at all.
Also a question about the pass heavy offense. In baseball pitcher’s longevity is a factor based on how many pitches they throw right? Can the same be said of Nando and the number of throws he is making? Just wondering.
Don’t think Ott is the same player he was last year, and defenses are still massively keying on him. His shiftiness from last year is gone, and the power to carry a tackler or two is lacking as well.
Jet and Wiley are looking much better than Jaydn now.
I agree...he does not have his first step. I can only put it down to injury and maybe smaller gaps to hit.
Plus, Ott's characteristic and own version of a "slow mesh", where he patiently waits for a crease, has been on so much film that most schools know to keep him double spied upon- always.
Great point...and it feels like he is holding for just a bit longer. Would be fascinating to see if there are analytics on something like this.
Might be suppressing pain and a bit of gun-shy hesitation. Love ya' Jayden. Hopefully, he fully recovers and comes back next year.
Personally, I think it's more a case of indecisiveness than explosiveness. He's just overly patient waiting for holes that aren't going to come instead of just attacking the line with force as Javian has.
We played well on both sides of the ball and lots of things fell in our favor (turnovers, solid kicking game, etc.), and yet it was still a little too close to comfort. I guess this is just what it's going to be for us this year.
Very exciting game. Mendoza was very accurate and ran great when he had to. Losing Uluave in the first half hurt our run defense. However Barth and Williams both filled in well. Ott surprised me with his hesitating running on dive plays. He should hit the hole or where it is supposed to be by going FULL speed and maybe bouncing to the outside if it is plugged up. Our Nickel backs were having a bad time covering their area on zones. Over all Cal is improving and they are YOUNG especially on offense.
Correction, It was Johnson (#15) who was one of the ILB's who filled in for Uluave, no Williams
It's a long worm that doesn't have two ends
Dune?
Nawh, a comment made by a fraternity brother at the poker table after finally winning a hand after hours of playing
He was from the SW and it must have been a local expression as he was not the type to coin a phrase.
So what does it mean?
nothing lasts forever, for ex., Cal blowing leads in the 4th qtr and losing games in the closing seconds
Was anyone able to understand the sideline interference personal foul? Was that on Wilcox for being in the white and the S tripping over him?
Wilcox said in postgame presser that it was on him. He did something wrong and took accountability. I didn’t quite hear what the reason was as his microphone was really low.