I had (rightfully) forgotten the level of ridiculousness of that pick-six against Arizona in 2018. It's bad enough that we never, ever, ever, ever win in Tuscon, but we always have to lose in the most bizarre, mind-boggling manner.
This decade hasn't been too bad. For the decade before, I can name two off the top of my head: the 2004 USC-Cal game, where we lost 23-17 with Rodgers unable to convert on 1st-and-goal to the No. 1 team in the country, and the 2007 Cal-Oregon State game.
Winning the 2004 game likely would've led to the national championship. Special teams fumbled away what was otherwise a career-defining performance by Aaron Rodgers, who set an NCAA record for consecutive completed passes.
And that week in 2007, Cal was the No. 2 team in the country. No. 1 LSU lost to Kentucky just hours before. Winning that game, would've led to a guaranteed No. 1 ranking, first time in at least the last 50 years. But of course baby freshman Kevin Riley scrambled in field goal range for no good reason, running out of time where a FG would've tied the game and sent it to overtime.
We outgained them 424 to 205, held Leinart to 160 yards passing, Reggie Bush to 23 yards rushing. Usually-reliable Schneider missed a field goal that would have brought us within 3 and enabled overtime at the end. And lost out on the winning touchdown when Makonnen slipped in the end zone.
Great article! I’m getting old, and I don’t remember the year, but the game against Oregon where Tevecchio missed a field goal or two seem pretty unlucky as well.
We went for a two point conversion but from my vantage point in EE it looked like Duncan caught the conversion pass. But then I realized (as did everyone else in the stadium) that he dropped it. GASP! We lose 45-44. Even though it was Wilcox' first season the game had a very Dykesian feel to it.
It's absolutely ridiculous that Tucson is always a house of horrors whenever the Bears play down there. Doesn't matter how good Cal is or how bad Arizona is, some kind of weird B.S. always happens to us.
First half of article: "Ha ha! This is a great article concept!"
Second half: [The Sound of Silence plays]
I had (rightfully) forgotten the level of ridiculousness of that pick-six against Arizona in 2018. It's bad enough that we never, ever, ever, ever win in Tuscon, but we always have to lose in the most bizarre, mind-boggling manner.
This decade hasn't been too bad. For the decade before, I can name two off the top of my head: the 2004 USC-Cal game, where we lost 23-17 with Rodgers unable to convert on 1st-and-goal to the No. 1 team in the country, and the 2007 Cal-Oregon State game.
Winning the 2004 game likely would've led to the national championship. Special teams fumbled away what was otherwise a career-defining performance by Aaron Rodgers, who set an NCAA record for consecutive completed passes.
And that week in 2007, Cal was the No. 2 team in the country. No. 1 LSU lost to Kentucky just hours before. Winning that game, would've led to a guaranteed No. 1 ranking, first time in at least the last 50 years. But of course baby freshman Kevin Riley scrambled in field goal range for no good reason, running out of time where a FG would've tied the game and sent it to overtime.
Cal-WSU in 2015 was pretty lucky. Vic Enwere had something like a 42 yd run on 3rd and 36 to really help run out the clock.
Cal USC 2004?
We outgained them 424 to 205, held Leinart to 160 yards passing, Reggie Bush to 23 yards rushing. Usually-reliable Schneider missed a field goal that would have brought us within 3 and enabled overtime at the end. And lost out on the winning touchdown when Makonnen slipped in the end zone.
Great article! I’m getting old, and I don’t remember the year, but the game against Oregon where Tevecchio missed a field goal or two seem pretty unlucky as well.
Win vs. Arizona in 2009 with Vereen, Jordan and Alualu was one of the best games of that season.
Since nobody has mentioned it I will. Our 2017 home loss to Arizona in double OT.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400935300
We went for a two point conversion but from my vantage point in EE it looked like Duncan caught the conversion pass. But then I realized (as did everyone else in the stadium) that he dropped it. GASP! We lose 45-44. Even though it was Wilcox' first season the game had a very Dykesian feel to it.
From S.I. - Six Pac-12 teams opened up for voluntary workouts today. Cal (and UCLA) was not one of them.
It's absolutely ridiculous that Tucson is always a house of horrors whenever the Bears play down there. Doesn't matter how good Cal is or how bad Arizona is, some kind of weird B.S. always happens to us.
Ok, this was more fun to read than I thot it would be!!!! Thank you!
Nick, would be great if you could add the final scores for each game for context!
Arizona has actually been my least favorite P12 team ever since I attended that 10-9 loss in person...dreadful place, obnoxious fans...
Brandon McIlwain.