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Football: From the press room
By Jonathan Okanes
Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 10:04 pm in Gameday.
–With the win, Cal is now tied for fifth in the Pac-10 with USC.
–Kevin Riley said on his second interception he was trying to throw the ball away and simply left it in the air too long. He said he just made a bad pass on the first interception, not getting enough on the throw as he threw off the run.
–Jeff Tedford said he met with Jahvid Best on Friday and asked him to be an honorary captain. Tedford said he wanted Best there for the last home game of the season and also thought it was important for fans to see that he is doing OK.
–Cal sacked Arizona quarterback Nick Foles three times. He had been sacked just four times all season coming into the game.
–Defensive coordinator Bob Gregory on the performance: “I’m as proud as I’ve ever been of a group.”
–Senior safety Marcus Ezeff didn’t play in his final home game. Gregory said he basically didn’t practice at all during the week because of the flu and his ongoing class conflict, so therefore wasn’t prepared to play.
–Shane Vereen’s 30 rushing attempts were a career-high.
–Giorgio Tavecchio had four field goals, the first time a Cal kicker has had four in a game since Tom Schneider in 2006.
–Tedford admitted wanting to play it safe on the drive that ended with Tavecchio’s final field goal. It was clear he had lost confidence in Riley after his second crucial interception.
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November 15th, 2009 at 7:10 am
Ugh. I’m so frustrated with this conservative playcalling that nearly cost us the game. It sounds like Tedford settled for a field goal in a one-point ball game because he had lost confidence in Riley. Why not, at that point, but in Beau Sweeney? Hasn’t Sweeney completed every pass he’s ever thrown? When you are down 1 point with 5 minutes left in the game, it seems inexcusable to settle for a field goal. But for Nick Foles’ error, AZ would have kicked the winning field goal. Then what would Tedford have done? Tried running Shane Vereen on every play of the next possession because he lacked confidence in Riley?
We won’t be so lucky next week against Stanford. As good as Shane is, handing the ball off to him on every down is not going to get it done against Stanford. Let’s hope the defense can stop Luck & Gerhart, and that Cal’s coaches get some imagination in their play-calling next week.
November 15th, 2009 at 7:42 am
When you only need a fg to take the lead late in the game, and its there, you’d be a fool to risk a try for a td. Remember ASU 2 weeks ago?
The game plan must vary week to week. AZ has a high powered offense and the Cal staff kept it in check by controlling the ball. It was a good game plan that worked. AZ was #17 in the country. We can’t blow out everyone.
The key to beating Stanford is defense. Overall we have been good against the run, and we just need to defend the pass like we did yesterday.
November 15th, 2009 at 8:06 am
JO – saying “Tedford lost confidence in Riley at the end” is an opinion, not reporting. You could have just as easily said that Tedford had confidence in his defense.
November 15th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Hey pete lets be real here, were not kids and we dont need things sugar coated. Kevin blew his chance to have the game in his hands wither we like it or not. No one in the stadium trusted him at that point and its now up to him to win our trust back, or just tedfords. Hes the starter at a big name program, criticism comes with the job
November 15th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Defense did great as a unit. “Shaan” Vereen(as the stadium announcer pronounced his name multiple times) ran hard.
But the game ball goes to Tavecchio. Two 46 yarders. one (or more?)kickoff that went inside the 5, and a game saving tackle. Bravo Tavechhio.
November 15th, 2009 at 10:34 am
What a bunch of whiners. Cal posted an impressive win and all some of you clowns want to do is tear them down. Enjoy the win!
Remember, Cal was facing the #1 offense in the Pac-10 and held them to 278 yards. Sure the two INTs were stupid, but the offense did just enough to win. Cal took what AZ was giving them. I’ve posted before that some of you act like the other team is being coached by chimps. Give Cal’s players and coaches credit for securing the win.
Lady, are you just the latest screen name for Moron whose postings have been blocked by grease monkey?
November 15th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Great win for Cal and the seniors. They played hard, won the crowd, the game and the chance to go to a bowl for the 7th straight year and 8th straight year with a winning record/bowl eligible.
Now it’s onto the Big Game, the tree is playing well but they have lost games this year and can be beat.
It will take a near perfect effort from all sides of the ball but if the Bears want it bad enough and perform/execute well they can do it.
First time both teams are bowl eligible going into Big Game in over 10 year and probably close to 15. I hope it’s a good one.
Great win last night Bears! Now get ready for a battle on farm. I have a feeling there will be a large loud contingent of Cal fans down there to support you. Win em, win it in an upset and bring the Axe back to campus.
November 15th, 2009 at 11:30 am
JO -
Can you please post your views on the following questions. Also, can you plesae ask some of these questions to Tedford?
Note: I ask these question with sincerety. I’m not trying flare up anything.
1) Why Deboskie didn’t get more carries than 1 to give Vereen a breather?
2) Why is Sofele not used more?
3) What did you think of the “catch” that was challenged?
4) what about 2 PI calls on the drive when arizona scored their second TD?
Thanks.
November 15th, 2009 at 11:50 am
J.O. in the chat on Thursday you stated that you report facts. Was the Tedford confidence part a direct quote or your opinion?
I’m curious after Tepper’s false start if he didn’t have any confidence in the O-Line being able to pass block and avoid a sack that made the field goal harder? Seems just as likely as not having confidence in Riley doesn’t it?
November 15th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Great day for Seniors. I wish Memorial had more people in the stands but it was great to see the place rocking in the 4th quarter.
I’ve dogging Gregory and the D. Happy to see them have such a productive day. Same for the O line.
For the first time in awhile, the Big Game will have meaning for both teams. Can’t wait. I hope Harbaugh and Riley stay in the Pac 10. To state the obvious, having so many good HC’s and teams raises the quality of everyone.
Hijack: Do you think Harbaugh stays at furd? Goes to Notre Dame? ( A perfect fit.) Or the NFL? (I think he might be a little too rah rah for the pros like PC was.)
Beat furd. Go Bears!
November 15th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
JO
Can you also please comment on the comment of your kicker? On the kickoff that Arizona almost broke and would have broke for a score until your kicker made the “tackle” he was saying that he stuck out his leg. To back that up he also had to get stitches to close the wound on his leg. Was that a trip and if so why wasn’t Arizona given a TD or at least a penalty?
November 15th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
I wonder how big of a hit Taylor Mays has taken by staying an extra year. I guess it was the linebackers that made the USC defense what it was last year, and Mays reaped all the glory because of them.
November 15th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Mays is a headhunter with below average self control, mental awareness, and pass coverage skills. Certainly a great athlete with tremendous physical tools, but the fact that he’s a senior with such poor coverage skills does not reflect well on the coaching he’s gotten at USC.
November 17th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Pete, Robert: That statement was based on what Tedford said. When asked why they just set up for a field goal, he said it was because of the mistakes the quarterback had been making. So not an opinion, based off a quote.
Cal, the answer to your first two questions basically comes down to two things — flow of the game and experience. The coaches felt that Vereen was still fresh, and he demonstrated that with his touchdown run late in the game. I also think they just trust Vereen more because he’s proven. DeBoskie-Johnson and Sofele obviously haven’t had much experience in significant situations. I thought both PIs were legitimate. It was obvious Johnson made contact way too early on the first one, and Hagan had his arm wrapped around the guy on the second one. Not sure which catch you are talking about, but if it is the one where it clearly bounced well in front of the receiver, I couldn’t believe they even reviewed it.