…
… still running a bit behind, so just getting to writing up …
… Cal @ UCLA …
…
… BATTERED …
… despite missing more than half of its projected starters, Cal’s defense gamely stood up to UCLA’s potent offense …
… holding the Bruins to 74 yards less and 11 points less than their season averages entering the game …
… but that still meant that the Baby Bears gained 488 yards in total offense and scored 37 points …
… to pace a 37-10 UCLA victory.
Once again, the Bears got behind early, trailing 17-0 early in the 2nd quarter …
… before closing the gap to 17-10 with 2:35 to play in the half.
…
… and BRUINED …
… UCLA, however, used just 1:50 of that time to drive 73 yards in 8 plays and scored on a 27 yard pass to make the score 24-10 at the half.
Despite controlling the ball for 16:02 of the second half, the Bears could not score again …
… as they turned the ball over on an interception, a fumble and once on downs, while having to punt twice …
… while the Bruins managed to add two more field goals and another touchdown pass to make the final score 37-10.
UCLA’s defense held QB Jared Goff in check …
… as he managed just 215 yards passing on 16 of 43 with one interception and 3 sacks …
… and a long gain of just 23 yards …
… while UCLA had 410 yards passing, with 3 touchdowns and 3 completions longer than 30 yards.
…
… Game Reports …
… stats and additional photos are available on ESPN:
http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=332850026
… and the official Cal Bears website:
http://www.calbears.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30100&ATCLID=209282592
…
… Mid-Season Bears Review …
… matching the 2nd youngest team in the country with college football’s 3rd most difficult schedule has proved daunting for the Bears …
… while injuries have made a difficult situation even worse …
… Cal has already played four Top 25 teams (#22 Northwestern, #3 Ohio State, #2 Oregon and #11 UCLA) …
… and those four teams currently have a combined record of 25-4!
My pre-season optimism (6 wins) now appears doomed to disappointment, as the Bears are likely to be underdogs against all of their remaining opponents except for Colorado …
… nevertheless, there is reason for some optimism …
… as USC looks vulnerable and you never know what will happen in The Big Game.
…
… Next Up …
… Cal hosts the Oregon State Beavers …
… at Memorial Stadium at 7:30 Saturday evening …
… with the Bears an 11 point underdog.
This game will feature two of the country’s leading passers, Cal’s Jared Goff and OSU’s Sean Mannion …
… Goff is 4th in the country in passing yards per game at 339.3 …
… while Mannion is 1st at 418.5 ypg.
Interestingly, the fathers of both QBs attended the same high school (San Rafael HS in Marin County), where Jerry Goff was a senior when John Mannion was a freshman.
GO BEARS!
Three Dot ... 