This was a great piece. Thank you for capturing all my feelings and anxieties about the 2024 Cal Bears. So frustrating, over and over, listening from afar (Ontario, Canada) to the losses to ranked teams that could have (should have) been won. I listened on Sirius satellite to the Big Game… and what a great ending! Please tell me that Cal will have Mendoza at QB again next season. He is so talented. I will always be a Cal fan. Am so happy to see Cal keep the axe (again)… well done Bears. Again, great article about a special game. Roll on you Bears.
Say what you about Wilcox’s tendency to turn into Charlie Brown at the most inopportune times for this program, but pulling this one out of our ass with Jaron, Aaron, Marshawn, Desean, Tedford and the Riveras all in the house was huge. I don’t think there’s ever been so much star power in Memorial at once. Maybe the difference between securing Jaron, and with that, more dominoes.
This year's Big Game exemplifies of what makes sports great. I thought that after the first quarter, I've seen this show before. And then the 2nd quarter felt like a trough of disillusionment. I almost turned the game off in disgust. But, things began to gain a little steam by the 3rd quarter. The amazing comeback in the 4th quarter couldn't have been written any better. It's a classic come-from-behind story.
Woke up Sunday morning with a hoarse voice and sore jaws because when I wasn’t cheering or yelling “DEFENSE,” I was anxiously chewing gum for three hours.
I still can’t believe we came from behind and WON!
The Officials might have ruined Cal's bid for an 8-4 season (or better). They didn't call an obvious targeting call on Miami which would have given Cal a first down and a great chance to run out the clock. Yes, it's speculation, but wouldn't that have been great to beat high ranked Miami on "Game Day"?
I believe we're getting the "pledge" treatment in the ACC. We're the "new guys" to the frat.
The officials know that the ACC fan-base mostly hate the Left Coast, so "gray area" calls are likely to go against us, until, if ever, the prevailing thinking changes. Same thing with the mystery PI call that gave Auburn a TD in our game.
Honestly, overall, I think the cultural exchange that will be ongoing for as long the ACC lasts or we time out in 2036 is generally a good thing. Polarized regions might learn to see each other with more complexity, than being "the other guys."
What ifs vs what done…enjoying the what done this week. And the what may come with Mendoza leadership and unwavering passion. He has overachieved with our coaches, so frankly this should not be discounted. I love this team and am proud to call myself a Cal Alum! Go Bears forever!
Avinash Kunnath has written some GREAT stuff over the years about Cal football and what it means to be a Cal fan, which he deeply, deeply understands as well or better than anyone. …But he outdid himself with is piece. I literally cried when I read this.
Saturday aside, the on-field results have been disappointing this year (same record against a weaker schedule? Ugh). But we definitely have improved the visibility and cultural cache of Cal football this season, and I'll take that as a net positive.
Like, did anyone have Pat McAfee down as a new Cal fan before the season started?
The image at the top of the story is perfect. Beautiful day. The game itself had a surprise ending that we have waited all year to enjoy. But damn, that Oline needs more coaching time. Imagine Fernando with just one more second to make his reads and passes. I don't know how many times he has been sacked and beat up this season, but it has got to be a record, a bad record. Everyone knows this, but damn, fix that Oline.
Hey man. We've gone through all the negative comments about the O line, Wilcox, O and D coordinators, etc. Let's keep this positive right now. This was a GREAT positive write from Avi and it exposed the true longtime CAL fans who go to every game and never gets tired of rooting for his or her favorite team. During the season I can't wait for the Saturday trip to Memorial Stadium again and again. I've been doing this since I was a small child with my dad and it started sometime in the 1940's and as long as I can walk I'll keep going. Go Bears forever.
OK, I can do that. I will keep it positive. The 4th quarter was very sweet. and when I got home seeing the after game on field interview with Fernando was very special. We don't see that kind of emotion and love for teammates so much anymore. I loved it. Go bears!
This was a great piece. Thank you for capturing all my feelings and anxieties about the 2024 Cal Bears. So frustrating, over and over, listening from afar (Ontario, Canada) to the losses to ranked teams that could have (should have) been won. I listened on Sirius satellite to the Big Game… and what a great ending! Please tell me that Cal will have Mendoza at QB again next season. He is so talented. I will always be a Cal fan. Am so happy to see Cal keep the axe (again)… well done Bears. Again, great article about a special game. Roll on you Bears.
Paul H (Class of 1970)
Say what you about Wilcox’s tendency to turn into Charlie Brown at the most inopportune times for this program, but pulling this one out of our ass with Jaron, Aaron, Marshawn, Desean, Tedford and the Riveras all in the house was huge. I don’t think there’s ever been so much star power in Memorial at once. Maybe the difference between securing Jaron, and with that, more dominoes.
This year's Big Game exemplifies of what makes sports great. I thought that after the first quarter, I've seen this show before. And then the 2nd quarter felt like a trough of disillusionment. I almost turned the game off in disgust. But, things began to gain a little steam by the 3rd quarter. The amazing comeback in the 4th quarter couldn't have been written any better. It's a classic come-from-behind story.
Woke up Sunday morning with a hoarse voice and sore jaws because when I wasn’t cheering or yelling “DEFENSE,” I was anxiously chewing gum for three hours.
I still can’t believe we came from behind and WON!
Dear Avi: you get me. 🐻♾️
You get it
Wait, why is it Grizzell's last Big Game? He's a R-Jr! Bring it back #83! https://calbears.com/sports/football/roster/trond-grizzell/24261
He will need to get into grad school, but he still has eligibility.
Graduating I'm guessing. A few redshirt juniors walked out on Senior Day.
Now, I'm cryin.'
Say it ain't so, Trond.
Simply exceptional Avi! You captured our collective emotions. I can rarely explain what it is to be a Cal football fan. Nailed it.
The Officials might have ruined Cal's bid for an 8-4 season (or better). They didn't call an obvious targeting call on Miami which would have given Cal a first down and a great chance to run out the clock. Yes, it's speculation, but wouldn't that have been great to beat high ranked Miami on "Game Day"?
I believe we're getting the "pledge" treatment in the ACC. We're the "new guys" to the frat.
The officials know that the ACC fan-base mostly hate the Left Coast, so "gray area" calls are likely to go against us, until, if ever, the prevailing thinking changes. Same thing with the mystery PI call that gave Auburn a TD in our game.
Honestly, overall, I think the cultural exchange that will be ongoing for as long the ACC lasts or we time out in 2036 is generally a good thing. Polarized regions might learn to see each other with more complexity, than being "the other guys."
What ifs vs what done…enjoying the what done this week. And the what may come with Mendoza leadership and unwavering passion. He has overachieved with our coaches, so frankly this should not be discounted. I love this team and am proud to call myself a Cal Alum! Go Bears forever!
Great writing……allows us all to go back and enjoy the emotions all over again !! The Bear truly never will die….
Oh Avi...thank you for being our voice. Go Bears Forever!
*this piece
Avinash Kunnath has written some GREAT stuff over the years about Cal football and what it means to be a Cal fan, which he deeply, deeply understands as well or better than anyone. …But he outdid himself with is piece. I literally cried when I read this.
tears of victory...I was with you!
Surely, got this! It was my 64th Big Game! Terrific capture of all that is Cal football. “Go, bears forever!
Saturday aside, the on-field results have been disappointing this year (same record against a weaker schedule? Ugh). But we definitely have improved the visibility and cultural cache of Cal football this season, and I'll take that as a net positive.
Like, did anyone have Pat McAfee down as a new Cal fan before the season started?
https://x.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/1860483255142605128
The image at the top of the story is perfect. Beautiful day. The game itself had a surprise ending that we have waited all year to enjoy. But damn, that Oline needs more coaching time. Imagine Fernando with just one more second to make his reads and passes. I don't know how many times he has been sacked and beat up this season, but it has got to be a record, a bad record. Everyone knows this, but damn, fix that Oline.
Hey man. We've gone through all the negative comments about the O line, Wilcox, O and D coordinators, etc. Let's keep this positive right now. This was a GREAT positive write from Avi and it exposed the true longtime CAL fans who go to every game and never gets tired of rooting for his or her favorite team. During the season I can't wait for the Saturday trip to Memorial Stadium again and again. I've been doing this since I was a small child with my dad and it started sometime in the 1940's and as long as I can walk I'll keep going. Go Bears forever.
OK, I can do that. I will keep it positive. The 4th quarter was very sweet. and when I got home seeing the after game on field interview with Fernando was very special. We don't see that kind of emotion and love for teammates so much anymore. I loved it. Go bears!
What a great article! You should be proud of yourself.