1) Guess our esteemed Pac-12 refs will have to move to Pullman or Corvallis. Such a shame. At least they got the targeting call right.
2) Historically, the players mostly bailed after a field rush. This time, they celebrated in the thick of it. One was carrying the Axe. Not sure if the players changed or if Wilcox relaxed a rule but it was great to see them genuinely bonding with fans. Hope the ACC doesn't crack down (or fans don't do something reckless) because, as Lu pointed out, it's become enough of a tradition that you see kids make it down there safely. And this, paradoxically, has probably made it safer and less rowdy to do so than in my era.
3) Nando to Trond is so fun to watch. I thought Hunter would be The Guy this year but we have two unexpected heroes (even if we knew thought they had potential).
4) We had a few plays where it looks like someone missed a block (or maybe Nando missed a blitzer). Our OL play has improved enough that failure isn't the norm.
5) GO BEARS! LET'S STUN OUR FUTURE BENEFACTORS THIS WEEK!
As an alum and with NIL & the current lack of transfer restrictions, I'm relying on WFC more & more to help familiarize myself with our players. Indeed, now that we're in the ACC, WFC is the essential source for information about not only Cal, but who we'll be playing week to week.
Even with your interpretation/definition assist, I’m not clear what the refs were thinking on the punt call. Interference applies to when the dude tries to catch it the FIRST time. Once it bounces off his chest the ball is live and he’s live. No one MADE that guy return punts; presumably he AUDITIONED to sit there looking up in the sky while big guys sprint at him full speed. I cannot tell you who the refs thought interfered with the initial catch cuz there was no one near him.
If Sinclair sticks around for another year he needs to have his picture hung in the Cal locker room with a big “KOS” written on it. The O line and everyone else has to see 8 and react like a bull seeing red. I want him leaving next year’s game black and blue from head to toe. His ancestors and unborn children should be sore. You don’t mess with our QB, you don’t mess with Fernando.
The Trond 4th & 7 catch in the 4th quarter was an absolute game-changer. Momentum was shifting toward LSJU, and another failed Cal drive would've fed that momentum shift. Instead, we keep possession and dominate the rest of the game.
It's interesting that in the last few years we've looked more athletic and more physical than Stanford even though they've resoundingly outrecruited us (despite their recruiting being "down" from most of the Shaw years).
Unfortunately, due to the officials I didn't quite feel like "Cal controls Stanford throughout" until the clock ran down to 0:00!
My question that I haven't seen addressed is:
"Why didn't the officials review Hunter's reception on the 2-point conversion attempt?"
This was potentially a big deal at that point of the game just as was the review the previously overturned Stanford's 2-point conversion. Was it because they ruled he didn't score ? The only replay they showed in the stadium certainly made it appear he broke the plane of the goal line!
Great writing of the interpretation of the fair catch rule on punt receiving. The rest of your writing about the tradition of the big game is right on. I've been going to most Big Games since the early 50's and the Cal spirit is still there. Getting that 6th win is going to be really tough. UCLA's pass rush is really unconventional. Cal has to emphasize the run more this week and shore up its blocking of inside LB's.
Post-Game Thoughts: 126th Big Game Cal v. Stanford Cardinal Football
So then it’s up with the blue and gold
Down with the red
California’s up for a victory
We’ll drop our battle axe on Stanford’s head
When we meet her
Our team will surely beat her
Down on the Stanford Farm
There’ll be no sound
When our Oski rips through the air!
Like our friend Mr Jonah
Stanford’s team will be found
In the tummy of the Golden Bear!
"Because these guys sure seem to feel a connection to us."
^^^^^THIS!
Love these guys!
Great job, Nick!
A few thoughts of my own:
1) Guess our esteemed Pac-12 refs will have to move to Pullman or Corvallis. Such a shame. At least they got the targeting call right.
2) Historically, the players mostly bailed after a field rush. This time, they celebrated in the thick of it. One was carrying the Axe. Not sure if the players changed or if Wilcox relaxed a rule but it was great to see them genuinely bonding with fans. Hope the ACC doesn't crack down (or fans don't do something reckless) because, as Lu pointed out, it's become enough of a tradition that you see kids make it down there safely. And this, paradoxically, has probably made it safer and less rowdy to do so than in my era.
3) Nando to Trond is so fun to watch. I thought Hunter would be The Guy this year but we have two unexpected heroes (even if we knew thought they had potential).
4) We had a few plays where it looks like someone missed a block (or maybe Nando missed a blitzer). Our OL play has improved enough that failure isn't the norm.
5) GO BEARS! LET'S STUN OUR FUTURE BENEFACTORS THIS WEEK!
It would be SO DOPE if we can rush the field next week at the Rose Bowl...meet u at 50! Let's make Pasadena #BearTerritory #GoBears
As an alum and with NIL & the current lack of transfer restrictions, I'm relying on WFC more & more to help familiarize myself with our players. Indeed, now that we're in the ACC, WFC is the essential source for information about not only Cal, but who we'll be playing week to week.
Even with your interpretation/definition assist, I’m not clear what the refs were thinking on the punt call. Interference applies to when the dude tries to catch it the FIRST time. Once it bounces off his chest the ball is live and he’s live. No one MADE that guy return punts; presumably he AUDITIONED to sit there looking up in the sky while big guys sprint at him full speed. I cannot tell you who the refs thought interfered with the initial catch cuz there was no one near him.
finally a win that felt like a win
If Sinclair sticks around for another year he needs to have his picture hung in the Cal locker room with a big “KOS” written on it. The O line and everyone else has to see 8 and react like a bull seeing red. I want him leaving next year’s game black and blue from head to toe. His ancestors and unborn children should be sore. You don’t mess with our QB, you don’t mess with Fernando.
The Trond 4th & 7 catch in the 4th quarter was an absolute game-changer. Momentum was shifting toward LSJU, and another failed Cal drive would've fed that momentum shift. Instead, we keep possession and dominate the rest of the game.
Thanks Nick!
Good work on the fair catch interference rule. Clearly it was a Cal recovery, but the Bears prevailed in spite of PAC 12 referees.
It's interesting that in the last few years we've looked more athletic and more physical than Stanford even though they've resoundingly outrecruited us (despite their recruiting being "down" from most of the Shaw years).
Unfortunately, due to the officials I didn't quite feel like "Cal controls Stanford throughout" until the clock ran down to 0:00!
My question that I haven't seen addressed is:
"Why didn't the officials review Hunter's reception on the 2-point conversion attempt?"
This was potentially a big deal at that point of the game just as was the review the previously overturned Stanford's 2-point conversion. Was it because they ruled he didn't score ? The only replay they showed in the stadium certainly made it appear he broke the plane of the goal line!
Great writing of the interpretation of the fair catch rule on punt receiving. The rest of your writing about the tradition of the big game is right on. I've been going to most Big Games since the early 50's and the Cal spirit is still there. Getting that 6th win is going to be really tough. UCLA's pass rush is really unconventional. Cal has to emphasize the run more this week and shore up its blocking of inside LB's.
This upcoming game might be one of the bigger, “Is the program going in the right direction?”, games in recent memory.
YAH,BUT I HAVE A GREAT PHOTO OF VEREEN CARRYING IN THE FOOTBALL WHILE BEING TCKLED IN THE 2006 BIG GAME GAME!!
PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT ,PLUS .....THAT 2006 WAS THE LAST CAL VICTORY OVER STAFORD FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS, ARE WE HAVING FUN?? GERBEAR!!