Very frustrating loss. We were just a few yards from a long field goal icing the win in regulation capping a spirited Cal comeback. If I were Wilcox I would not have deferred to start the overtime period. I guess he was gambling that our defense would continue its better play as we witnessed in the 2nd half. Namely, getting some pressure on Morris led to some inaccurate throws and 3 and outs. Overall I am encouraged by the Cal performance but not the outcome.
We don't have a better team than UW, and certainly not with the current coaching staff Wilcox has assembled. Both teams are somewhat poorly coached, but UW has a lot of players that will play on Sundays...that won out yesterday, especially on the final play. They are a more physical ball club.
Unfortunately, the mistakes in execution that are becoming a hallmark of the Wilcox era come in the worst possible moments and cost the team wins....
After sleeping on it, I feel terrible about this loss. I’m not advocating to “fire Wilcox tomorrow” but if anything less than 5 wins in year 5, with a veteran team and QB, with the Pac 12 north down, USC a tire fire, and playing Colorado and Arizona (instead of ASU & Colorado) then Wilcox needs to be fired because if he can’t win 8 regular season games this season at Cal, he never will.
I agree. The special teams miscues have reached an almost comical level....even the made FG by Longhetto required a great grab by Sheahan on a wide snap.
For various reasons, most notably a continued lack of elite players IMO, these Cal teams under Wilcox lack the ability to make explosive plays on both sides of the ball, and of course, on special teams. We Cal fans have wrote for years that that means every game will be a dogfight, turning on single plays, with a very slim margin for error...those mistakes are unfortunately enough to cost the team wins...
Missing out on even a lower-tier bowl game in year 5 is unacceptable.
Just too many mistakes to enable a close, hard-fought victory. Of course if Longhetto had made the field goal with 2 seconds left we'd all be celebrating today.
Frustrating game and season so far because we see series where Cal plays well, only to make mistakes at critical times which results in a loss. Just seems we are not consistent enough to win games.
Before we run Wilcox out on a rail, let’s think about what he has to work with. Namely a payroll for his assistant coaches that is at or near the bottom of the conference. You get what you pay for and don’t get what you don’t pay for.
The hit on Moore to cause the fumble was straight on his helmet, so brutal and awful, was hard to watch. Then of course ESPN replayed it umpteen times as the one notable highlight of the game. Gross
The unfortunate thing is it did not appear to be helmet to helmet...looked like shoulder pad to helmet, which is legal...unfortunate play for Moore, who looks so good...great feet for a big guy.
But you just can't put the ball on the turf there.
Yeah it was not technically illegal, was shoulder to helmet. But seeing Moore in pain after the play, his teammates tending to him, gave me a bit of the taste in my mouth that I had seeing Best get his brains scrambled against Oregon State (though not as bad as that).
Btw, I don’t blame Moore for that fumble at all. The direct hit to the head basically froze his central nervous system. Not sure what he was supposed to do there, but I accept impossibility as a complete defense
Very frustrating loss. We were just a few yards from a long field goal icing the win in regulation capping a spirited Cal comeback. If I were Wilcox I would not have deferred to start the overtime period. I guess he was gambling that our defense would continue its better play as we witnessed in the 2nd half. Namely, getting some pressure on Morris led to some inaccurate throws and 3 and outs. Overall I am encouraged by the Cal performance but not the outcome.
I think is standard strategy to defer OT possession so when it’s your turn you know exactly what you need to do to win or extend the game.
Yes. This is what the numbers say to do. Go on D first because your game plan changes if you only need a FG v. a TD for the tie.
Yes, but every Cal field goal attempt is an adventure!
But it shouldn't be
This is one of those games where I consider and in occasional seasons actually take a game or two off for a mental health break.
As much as I think we have the better team than UW.. If we played this game 100 times, I bet we'd only go 41-55-4.
We don't have a better team than UW, and certainly not with the current coaching staff Wilcox has assembled. Both teams are somewhat poorly coached, but UW has a lot of players that will play on Sundays...that won out yesterday, especially on the final play. They are a more physical ball club.
Unfortunately, the mistakes in execution that are becoming a hallmark of the Wilcox era come in the worst possible moments and cost the team wins....
Sigh
After sleeping on it, I feel terrible about this loss. I’m not advocating to “fire Wilcox tomorrow” but if anything less than 5 wins in year 5, with a veteran team and QB, with the Pac 12 north down, USC a tire fire, and playing Colorado and Arizona (instead of ASU & Colorado) then Wilcox needs to be fired because if he can’t win 8 regular season games this season at Cal, he never will.
I agree. The special teams miscues have reached an almost comical level....even the made FG by Longhetto required a great grab by Sheahan on a wide snap.
For various reasons, most notably a continued lack of elite players IMO, these Cal teams under Wilcox lack the ability to make explosive plays on both sides of the ball, and of course, on special teams. We Cal fans have wrote for years that that means every game will be a dogfight, turning on single plays, with a very slim margin for error...those mistakes are unfortunately enough to cost the team wins...
Missing out on even a lower-tier bowl game in year 5 is unacceptable.
Just too many mistakes to enable a close, hard-fought victory. Of course if Longhetto had made the field goal with 2 seconds left we'd all be celebrating today.
Frustrating game and season so far because we see series where Cal plays well, only to make mistakes at critical times which results in a loss. Just seems we are not consistent enough to win games.
Before we run Wilcox out on a rail, let’s think about what he has to work with. Namely a payroll for his assistant coaches that is at or near the bottom of the conference. You get what you pay for and don’t get what you don’t pay for.
Meh. There are plenty of hungry, dynamic young assistant coaches that would gladly come to Cal to springboard somewhere.
Hiring your buddies from Eugene is different entirely.
The hit on Moore to cause the fumble was straight on his helmet, so brutal and awful, was hard to watch. Then of course ESPN replayed it umpteen times as the one notable highlight of the game. Gross
The unfortunate thing is it did not appear to be helmet to helmet...looked like shoulder pad to helmet, which is legal...unfortunate play for Moore, who looks so good...great feet for a big guy.
But you just can't put the ball on the turf there.
Yeah it was not technically illegal, was shoulder to helmet. But seeing Moore in pain after the play, his teammates tending to him, gave me a bit of the taste in my mouth that I had seeing Best get his brains scrambled against Oregon State (though not as bad as that).
Btw, I don’t blame Moore for that fumble at all. The direct hit to the head basically froze his central nervous system. Not sure what he was supposed to do there, but I accept impossibility as a complete defense
And the concussion of Remigio was pain to watch as well.