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Football: Nevada game thread
By Jeff Faraudo
Saturday, September 1st, 2012 at 11:54 am in Football, Gameday.
FINAL: Nevada 31, Cal 24. No post-game joy among the Bears after the big Memorial Stadium re-opening.
“It’s great to be home,” Cal coach Jeff Tedford said, “but you want to come out and play better and win the football game and we didn’t get that done.
“I’m sorry we didn’t play better and (we) let the fans down.”
“I am surprised,” said Cal star receiver Keenan Allen. “Very disappointing.”
QB Zach Maynard, held out of the first three series after missing an academic appointment in June, finished 17 for 30 for 247 yards and two TDs, but also fumbled the ball away in the fourth quarter. Tedford called it “a very average game” for Maynard.
Freshman wideouts Chris Harper and Bryce Treggs each caught touchdowns in their college debuts, but Harper fumbled late and Treggs had a drop. “The mood is very quiet,” Treggs said. “We’re reflecting on the loss and how we have to respond so we dont feel this way next week.”
Defensively, once more, the Bears had no solution for the Nevada pistol attack. Tedford conceded the Bears couldn’t get off the field, as evidenced by Wolf Pack drives consuming 12, 14 and 16 plays.
“They have a fast scheme . . . they like to do a lot of confusions,” Cal linebacker Chris McCain said. “We just messed up in the game.”
Mostly, Tedford said, it was a sloppy performance on the wrong day.
“We didn’t play very well,” Tedford said. “Too many mistakes, communcation breakdowns, we didn’t take care of the football well enough, key penalties. We weren’t sharp.”
MSG UPDATE: Nothing to report on the status of tackle Matt Summers-Gavin, who limped off the field late in the game. Tedford said he wasn’t sure about the nature or severity of the injury. Should know more Sunday.
BAD HISTORY: Nevada had not beaten Cal in Berkeley since a 6-2 win in 1903 — one month before the Wright Bros. got off the ground for the first time. Fair to say the 2012 Bears are still grounded.
7:24 4th Q: Maynard’s 32-yard completion to Keenan Allen sets up 6-yard TD toss to freshman wideout Chris Harper. Cal ties it 24-all.
4:38 3rd Q: Bears trail just 21-17 after 40-yard FG by Vincenzo D’Amato.
5:31 3rd Q: Kameron Jackson recovers fumbled kickoff from Khalid Wooten at the Nevada 23.
5:39 3rd Q: Keenan Allen goes 39 yards for a TD on an end-around pitch from Isi Sofele and Bears are within 21-14.
6:20 3rd Q: Jefferson converts on 2-yard run, capping 79-yard, 12-play drive that gives Nevada a 21-7 lead. The Wolf Pack’s first win at Berkeley since before the Wright Bros. got off the ground now has wings.
HALFTIME STATS: Nevada has 206 yards, Cal 168. Wolf Pack has rushed 28 times for 129 yards, Cal 15 times for 33 yards. Fajardo has 88 yards rushing and is 12 for 15 for 77 passing yards. Maynard is 8 for 13 for 127 yards. Leininger has punted five times for a 39.0 average, with just one returned.
4:38 2nd Q: Freshman WR Bryce Treggs catches 37-yard TD pass from Zach Maynard for Cal’s first TD in new stadium. It’s 14-7 and the crowd is alive. The series was set up by a bit of luck — a wildly bad Nevada shotgun snap on 3rd and 4 from the Cal 19 forced the Wolf Pack to punt.
0:00 1st Q: QB Cody Fajardo goes 49 yards with a keeper around right end for a TD and Nevada leads 14-0 after the final play of the first quarter. Total yards: 170-43. Fjardo is 8 for 9 for 54 yards passing and has 8 rushes for 81 yards.
4:34 1st Q: Nevada scores 1st TD in new stadium. Stefphon Jefferson goes in from the 2-yard line, capping an 16-play, 80-yard drive in which QB Cody Fajardo ran 4 times for 30 yards and was 6 for 6 passing for 34 yards. Bears don’t seem to have a handle on stopping the pistol to this point.
BOOMING: Freshman Cole Leininger’s first put — 46 yards with no return.
KICKOFF: Brandon Bigelow takes the opening kickoff at the 3 and returns it to the 33.
GAME CAPTAINS: Running back C.J. Anderson, center Brian Schwenke, defensive end Aaron Tipoti and safety Josh Hill are the Bears’ game captains. Wonder if Maynard might have been in the mix under different circumstances.
NEWS FLASH: Quarterback Zach Maynard will NOT start after missing a tutoring assignment early this summer. He is expected to play. The assumption is junior Allan Bridgford will get the call.
WELCOME: The renovated Memorial Stadium is filling up. The Cal marching band is on the field. Drum major Kevin Kraft did not drop the baton. All is right in the world for Old Blues. Stay tuned here and we will keep you updated on all the firsts at the new facility.
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September 1st, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Wheres maynard
September 1st, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Can’t believe how bad alan b looked. This was his chance. Bet Kline woulda rolled. Our oline looks good. Not sure about secondary yet but that missed tackle was bad. This is a good lesson for Maynard, but not if it goes for more than a quarter.
September 1st, 2012 at 12:28 pm
Why do penalties always kill us? Defense is tired. Not fair for them to be out there this often. Qb means everything when you have a good oline.
September 1st, 2012 at 12:35 pm
HAHAHAHA…Nevada embarassing you guys. Which one of you will step forward to buy out Tedford. LOL.
BTW Maynard missed a tutoring session in the summer. I guess GoGoBears/The Advising Bear wouldn’t know something about that? HAHAHAHA. Failed.
September 1st, 2012 at 12:37 pm
At least the Nevada fans won’t be yelling “OVERRATED” at you guys. LOL.
September 1st, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Team looks poorly coached.
September 1st, 2012 at 12:43 pm
Getting suckered by RB dive/qb keeper AGAIN! Gap discipline. Make the adjustment.
AB doesn’t look very good. Sloooow release. No zip.
I know most of you hate this but I hope they’ll pound the ball between the tackles even if there is 8 in the box.
September 1st, 2012 at 12:45 pm
I thought after we linked Morens’ anti social and negative behavior with some of these mass shooters we would be rid of it.
Cal isn’t looking very good but its a game, we lose and I’ll go watch the Dodger or some other game. This moren spends all of its sport’s life on here writing about a school it never intended. Its not just sick but it should be reported. That way we Cal fans will not take real criticism that we did nothing.
September 1st, 2012 at 12:55 pm
I wished Tedford would try so hard to lose. HAHAHAHA.
This team is laughable. I told you the Pack would beat you guys but I didn’t think you guys would stink this badly.
Daddy just said he made the best decision not to renew his tickets.
September 1st, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Don’t think we have to worry about ka leaving early anymore. So there’s that. We need a real qb. We have 4 of them sitting on the bench.
September 1st, 2012 at 12:57 pm
#8 – Steve
Whine much?
September 1st, 2012 at 12:58 pm
Two illegal substitution penalties says it all. The Bears are poorly coached and did not come ready to play. It ain’t Bridgeford’s fault. More dropped passes than I can count. And on defense they have shown they have learned nothing from their previous nightmares defending the Pistol.
September 1st, 2012 at 12:58 pm
Looks like Teddy’s visit to the Patriots really helped. LOL
September 1st, 2012 at 1:00 pm
I was going to complain that this stupid Pac12 network prevented me from seeing this game on any channel Dish Network carries. But then I see Tedfraud is still the coach, the team is playing lousy again for the upteenth time in the last 4 years, Cal is down big to Nevada at home and stinking up the joint. So blessing in disguide that hardly anyone is watching this garbage effort and Tedfraud’s boys.
September 1st, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Problems from 2008 – poor coaching, lack of character, poor QBing, defense looks like swiss cheese against good competition.
Problems from 2009 – poor coaching, lack of character, poor QBing, defense looks like swiss cheese against good competition.
Problems from 2010 – poor coaching, lack of character, poor QBing, defense looks like swiss cheese against good competition.
Problems from 2011 – poor coaching, lack of character, poor QBing, defense looks like swiss cheese against good competition.
Problems so far in 2012- Tedfraud lack of character, poor QBing, defense looks like swiss cheese against good competition or the spread offense.
Any yet Cal’s AD does nothing about the head coach who cannot find a good QB to save his life or coach one up well, and who ‘prepares’ the team to lay down like utter dogs.
September 1st, 2012 at 1:03 pm
If the Bears don’t get there butts in gear soon, this game could get ugly. The lack of containment on the outside is embarrassing.
September 1st, 2012 at 1:06 pm
Here is tomorrow’s headlines:
More $19.23 tickets on sale today for Saturday’s game against Woman’s Friday Knitting Circle. Buy now.
September 1st, 2012 at 1:09 pm
Dynamic pricing for future Cal home games falling. At this rate, Cal will have to pay bums and winos and tree sitters to attend the games against Washington and Oregon. lol!
September 1st, 2012 at 1:09 pm
I’m in Dublin (saw my kid’s high school win on friday and then watched ND crush Navy) so I can only follow online but what’s going with the offense????
September 1st, 2012 at 1:11 pm
eric – What offense?
September 1st, 2012 at 1:11 pm
I could answer my own question by going back to 2007-2011, but I was trying to be somewhat optimistic this year. I counted this game as a fairly easy win.
September 1st, 2012 at 1:16 pm
NO I don’t whine much but better safe than sorry and you should be reported and checked out to see just how sick you are.
I’m pretty happy with my life and my Cal degree and ..you?
——
My teams will lose every game today. This is just a warmup for UTEP v Oklahoma North Texas at LSU and Indiana is playing.. umm does it matter -this isn’t basketball. The difference is Cal wasn’t expected to lose.
September 1st, 2012 at 1:18 pm
As long as Tedfraud leads this bunch, expect dysfunction, underachievement, poor QBing, lots of lopsided ‘where did that come from?’ losses like today’s. Us fans have seen this happen often since 2007. With the huge upgrade at Washington St., UCLA, AZ and AZ St. Tedfraud has got to be the worst coach in the conference right now.
September 1st, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Game ain’t over – we just scored after getting a lucky break. 14-7 is nothing.
September 1st, 2012 at 1:24 pm
@Eric
Exactly. Sometimes the chicken little aspect of CAL fans is embarrassing.
Congrats to Bryce Treggs.
September 1st, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Agree w/ Eric & Mr. B. Maynard is 8 of 13 (60% completion, and not inconsistent). 5 players have caught balls (not just KA), and all are averaging over 10 ypc. 3 RB’s have carried the ball (not just Sofele), and all are averaging over 3.0 ypc. For this, the first, game of the year will chalk penalties up to first game jitters. So far looks better than last year! If they keep it up good things will happen.
September 1st, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Granted, it is only a half, but…
Maynard’s stats show the improvement I expected of him this year, especially considering he is coming in cold after a dismal start so the pressure is really on. I really like throwing to 5 different receivers. Big time benefit. Has there been any designed runs for him?
I am stunned at how bad the stats were for Bridgford. Someone mentioned a bunch of drops – is that the case? If not, there is something seriously wrong with the lack of preparation.
The false starts/illegal substitutions could be chalked up to the yips in a first game, but this is something that has plagued Cal teams in the last 5-6 years. I hope it is just the case of the yips.
September 1st, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Anyone wearing a bag over their heads yet?
September 1st, 2012 at 1:46 pm
Looking forward/hoping for more effective half time adjustments.
Treggs and Harper look good. ZM Looks like he’s settled down.
GO Bears!
September 1st, 2012 at 1:47 pm
Eric, no drops on Bridgford. He looked bad. Slo Mo release. No zip.
September 1st, 2012 at 1:48 pm
It’s not the “chicken little aspect of Cal fans” that’s the problem, it’s the lack of insight or desire on the part of some fans to see that Tedford has taken us as far as he can, and that the performance of this team shows serious decline. The same complacent/apathetic mentality that has led in the past to the “…as long as we win the Big Game…” refrain. Congrats to Treggs and a great throw by Maynard there, but this game is an EMBARRASSMENT. Next possession of ours? 3rd down sack and a missed (very makable) FG. If we don’t show the guts/heart to come back and win this game, this should be the beginning of the end of the Tedford era.
September 1st, 2012 at 1:57 pm
#31 Clonedoc
Your players are not smart players. They make the same mistakes.
September 1st, 2012 at 1:57 pm
@Clonedoc – I am a well known advocate for firing Tedford. This game should not be close – we should win by more than 2 TDs. Could still be that way. I am very hopefully from thousands of miles away that this is not Maryland, Oregon State, Nevada in Reno, or many other bad losses.
September 1st, 2012 at 2:03 pm
HAHAHAHA…look at how the refs are trying to steal this game for Cal state.
On the opening Nevada possession they call two penalties and then an unnecessary roughness on the punt.
Ridiculous.
September 1st, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Daddy just said after Nevada scored – “new Stadium, same old outcome”.
LOL.
September 1st, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Sandy Barbour – Cal’s woeful AD is like the old timer traffic cop who stands in front of a 4 car pileup with 2 fatalities and multiple injuries (state of Cal football from 2007-present) and says to bystanders (the fans), nothing to see here move along.
September 1st, 2012 at 2:21 pm
If Reno wants to try to keep us in it/hand it to us with DESERVED penalties/mistakes, we’ll take it. Great field pos’n, great play call to have Allen run the ball on the TD….Reno fumble on the KOR.
September 1st, 2012 at 2:41 pm
Good adjustments on both sides of the ball. Hope we start pounding the ball between the tackles.
SteveTex, we usually disagree esp about Hoops but it’s in good faith as Cal alums. I’m prety sure you were responding to the troll. Please install Greasemonkey.
Go Bears! Please, please not only beat Nv but cover.
September 1st, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Wehofx
You and your fans are such whiners. “Oh please use greasemonkey. We are getting our butts handed to us and we don’t want to hear that.”
This is the most pathetic fanbase there is.
September 1st, 2012 at 2:59 pm
Please Sandy give Tedford an extension.
Signed
All Pac 12 fans
September 1st, 2012 at 3:10 pm
Here comes the game-winning drive. In other news:
USC looking into report on gifts to players
September, 1, 2012 5:45PM ET
By Ted Miller | ESPN.com
USC is investigating a Los Angeles Times report that says two Trojans athletes, one of whom is former running back Joe McKnight, received gifts from an employee of the Los Angeles County assessor’s office.
The report centers on a former appraiser, Scott Schenter, who is under investigation in an apparently unrelated scandal at the assessor’s office. His interest in the two athletes wasn’t immediately apparent.
If Schenter’s name is familiar, it should be. Haden says USC investigated previous reports of McKnight using a Land Rover registered to Schenter in 2009. The school worked with the NCAA, which didn’t process a violation.
September 1st, 2012 at 3:25 pm
I hope this loss to Nevada FINALLY is the nail in the coffin that should be Tedford’s job at the end of this year. At least any interest in Cal football 2012 was gone after game #1. What a joke this program has become. At least the stadium will be 1 year old for the next! Cal head coach. Someone get Jon Gruden on the phone pronto – does he have any interest in coaching this team. Good effin grief!
September 1st, 2012 at 3:27 pm
Turn out the lights the parties over.
September 1st, 2012 at 3:29 pm
Maybe the fact hardly anyone could get the Pac12 network this year is a blessing in disguise. Aside from the Old Blue saps that waste their $$ paying for a ticket to a Cal game, at least most other people won’t be able to see the joke that Cal football has become. Losing to Nevada-Reno at home in your new stadium. Putrid!
September 1st, 2012 at 3:29 pm
At first I thought that a superior cal team was getting out executed by a less talented Nevada team. But after watching the second half, it is clear to me that Nevada – a team that has to mine the leftover recruits from California – is the better team. Better quarterback, better offensive line and MUCH better head coach. This is a 4-8 team at best, folks. But Sandy will keep Coach T on the payroll for at least another year to give him a chance to take advantage of the new facilities.
September 1st, 2012 at 3:29 pm
#41 Sean
Yawn
Poor sport.
September 1st, 2012 at 3:31 pm
GRUDEN! GRUDEN! gRUDEN!
September 1st, 2012 at 3:32 pm
@ Steve W – I would not be so confident on Tedfraud making it through this year. I say he’s gone if the # losses hit 7 by the end of the season. And it is a good bet Cal loses 7 or 8 this year with the lack of a good head coach.
September 1st, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Called this game. Too easy fellas.
What an embarassment to lose this game in that big day. Tedford barely shook Ault’s hand. What a poor sport.
September 1st, 2012 at 3:34 pm
50% off sale on Cal home game tickets. Dynamic pricing senses a big decline in demand lol!
September 1st, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Didn’t just lose was dominated by Nevada in Total Yards and Time of Possession. Pathetic.
September 1st, 2012 at 3:37 pm
Nevada QB looked like Cam Newton.
September 1st, 2012 at 3:39 pm
Absolutely indefensible. Excited about the freshman receivers for the future. They need to be coached up by a new HC. For Sandy Barbour to continue to praise Tedford just because new facilities have been built is also unacceptable.
September 1st, 2012 at 3:40 pm
Hey fellas
Don’t you think it is time to pass around the hat so that your fans can contribute to the Tedford buy Out plan.
Pastor Rick can help you. He knows how to do that.
September 1st, 2012 at 3:49 pm
I submit this is the worst loss in the long list of bad Tedford losses.
Opening games at home. New stadium excitment following exceedingly bad bowl loss to hated Texas on top of several mediocre seasons. Veteran QB, plus top-flight WR and exciting new freshman WRs. Supposedly strong D-line. Revenge for the beatdown in Reno a few years back.
And what happens. Not Maynard’s fault. Not the refs’ fault. Not unlucky bounces or weird turnovers.
Just a systematic defeat by a offensive team that ran for well over 200 yards while passing for 200+, converting nearly every important third down. Our D apparently did little, and zero when it most mattered. And our running game was a total disaster.
This, again, screams volumes about coaching. There is not excuse.
For those who do defend Tedford at every turn, I am curious what you think explains this loss. I only got ad hominem attacks following the bowl loss to Texas, but this one takes it to a new level.
September 1st, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Question Will Tedford still be coach on Monday?
Answer: Yes
Rationale: Monday is a holiday – he can’t be fired till Tuesday.
September 1st, 2012 at 3:55 pm
@GoBearsAD #FireTedford
September 1st, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Firing Tedford would be the first of many steps necessary to restore Cal football to the top tier of the conference. Are there any lackeys out there to defend Tedfraud?? Please offer up your sad sack excuses for this woeful program. Please remind us all of the Holmoe years over a decade ago to convince only yourself that Tedford is a good coach. Even JT knows the writing is on the wall. And if the AD won’t can Tedford inside of 10 weeks fire her too.
September 1st, 2012 at 3:58 pm
Meanwhile more scandal at USC.
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/eye-on-college-football/20011092/report-usc-athletes-received-gifts-from-figure-in-corruption-scandal
We are not a very good football team and Tedford has lost his way- but we aren’t sleazy and skanky like MOren and her team.
September 1st, 2012 at 3:58 pm
Let’s also hear Pendergast’s explanation for a repeated inability despite experience playing/studying the pistol over the last few years to contain this type of offense. Worse than that is the Reno 3rd down completion percentage and even worse than that is the way their underrated O-line just controlled us on simple runs up the middle. For the talent we are supposed to have on this side of the ball, also indefensible. These players themselves also need to take responsibility and more pride in their performance but P is unable to get through to these guys either it would seem.
September 1st, 2012 at 4:01 pm
I am hopeful that those who defend Tedford either offer a cogent defense or excuse for this loss or, if they cannot, perhaps concede that the writing is indeed on the wall. Bobby? BoaltBlue? H8sRed? Who am I missing?
September 1st, 2012 at 4:04 pm
If Tedford is not fired it will show the sports world that we accept mediocrity. Perhaps he will just resign.
Isn’t Tony Gonzalez available?
September 1st, 2012 at 4:19 pm
I defended Tedford for many years but today’s loss is the final straw. With all of the hype of the new stadium you would think the team would play with some fire but they had none when it mattered most. If not for Reno keeping us in the game with their penalties and fumbles it would have been a blowout. In my eyes it comes down to coaching and preparation. We had neither. Time for Tedford to go.
September 1st, 2012 at 4:37 pm
To quote the big lebowski, nothing changes.
Where to begin. Nearly every position looked worse than last year. Whether it be due to injuries inexperience or academics.
Long season. Lets see kline this year. Bridgeford just confirmed today this is klines mess to fix.
Stop running from the mistakes or pressure and stop living in a cave. Build this team for next year.
Agree with the call for gruden.
September 1st, 2012 at 4:40 pm
Forgot to say saw jabari bird, lee and aaron gordon with theo robertson at game. Gordon looked thoroughly disinterested. Not bird though.
September 1st, 2012 at 4:52 pm
i agree with Eric. This is the worst loss in the Tedford era. When a middle of the pack banjo team from the MWC picks you apart in your new house, this is all the evidence that anyone needs that Tedford has lost control of the program. Cal had every reason to go and and explode today, but they came out flatter than a de-fizzed Mountain Dew.
I am living in So Cal and won’t suffer financially because I am now definitely not coming up for any games. I feel badly for the season ticket holders.
September 1st, 2012 at 4:55 pm
JT picked a bad time to set an example. He could have sat Maynard out vs Southern Utah and got the same affect,
but he chose to do it on a day that was supposed to be special. The absence of Mayanrd and Sofele had a sobering effect on the team and the crowd, IMO.
September 1st, 2012 at 4:56 pm
That sucked! I too am one of those JT supporters who is just about to – but not quite – get off the bandwagon.
One game a season does not make. BUT this team now has to go 8-4 which means splitting sc & osu road trip. 7-5 maybe one more year because he really is a big reason for hpc and Memorial renovation and to see what JT can do with Z Kline. 6-6, later.
One reason I still respect JT is benching ZM for missing tutoring session. But ZM does any more goofy stuff like that fumble at their 30 and it’s time for Z Kline.
September 1st, 2012 at 4:56 pm
I would like to offer some objectivity here. Before everyone gets on the Fire Tedford bandwagon let’s do some analysis position by position.
QB – Maynard is just about the same as last year. He makes bad reads and his accuracy isn’t consistent. Notice how he jerks his head when he throws too. Your second string guy reminded me of Ayboob. I would tell that guy to transfer to Sac State.
OL – Terrible at run blocking. Will strike no fear in opposing team DLs
RB – Not elsuive and can’t do a whole lot when there isn’t any line play
WR – bright spot of your team but if they will need to climb ladders to catch passes from Wayward what chance do they have to survive 11 games
DL – After this game I didn’t think you had one. No Pressure on the QB and got pushed around on the inside.
LB – Inside LBs are terrible!Outside LBs are still looking for their jocks somewhere up in the 4th row.
CBs – #2 is good but #1 played more like he had go #2
Safeties – Looked like the had to go #1 and #2 the whole game. They are terrible and slow.
So I have come to conclusion that Tedford should not be fired. Instead your team should go down another division to DII and play Presbyterian two times a year.
September 1st, 2012 at 5:10 pm
Moren tell us about the new scandal instead.
USC damages the reputation of the PAC 12 they belong in the SEC with the dumb big money scandal schools.
Cal is not a very good team but they don’t hurt the reputation of the league.
There have been polls that list USC #1 for the most dirty program in the NCAA,
Let’s get rid of them and add San Diego State.
September 1st, 2012 at 5:18 pm
#70 – Bitter Steve
Isaac Curtis
Prof Saragoza
Todd Boseman
Jelani Gardiner
Jason Kidd – no classes attended
Take off those glass slippers.
September 1st, 2012 at 5:27 pm
BTW I love how GoGoBears/The Advising Bear on BI/Sherm Boyson played you all.
He said that Maynard was eligible to play this season.
Yep. It’s just that he couldn’t play the first quarter of the first game.
Well played sir.
September 1st, 2012 at 5:28 pm
We can still win the pac12!
September 1st, 2012 at 5:28 pm
If you have to go back to 1992 to make your case -it speaks volumes. I only had to go back to this afternoon.
You probably hadn’t turned your first trick at that age.
September 1st, 2012 at 5:32 pm
Its really pretty simple Moren. Where I live in Texas I like to defend the Pac 121 as a decent conference with good schools. Then I have to hear “Isn’t USC in that conference?”
They cheat year after year and they have fans like you.
September 1st, 2012 at 5:32 pm
Steve Sarkisian was one year closer to being right when he said – “Cal hadn’t been to the Rose Bowl in 188 years.”
Not this year either fellas.
September 1st, 2012 at 6:01 pm
#75 – Steve
Where I live in Texas I like to defend the Pac 121 as a decent conference with good schools. Then I have to hear “Isn’t USC in that conference?”
They cheat year after year and they have fans like you.
_______________________________________________
What is your favorite violin concerto?
September 1st, 2012 at 6:33 pm
So all that tight end story and how it would improve because of the visits to new england thing was BS.
September 1st, 2012 at 6:39 pm
USC – 32
Hawaii – 0
September 1st, 2012 at 6:49 pm
Unconscionable loss, perhaps the worst loss of Tedford’s reign. The only way he can steady this ship is a split with SC OSU. I’ll be in Columbus to root on our Bears. What else can I do.
Go Bears.
September 1st, 2012 at 6:58 pm
If I spent half the time I spent here and on other cal sites over the last year, learning a language instead of following this team, I’d be fluent. I think I’m done with it, except for actual games, until we get a decent coach. What a waste.
September 1st, 2012 at 7:06 pm
I know the feeling Roll.
At this point it starting to feel like I’m investing more than what the program (JT, SB) is putting out. I feel cheated.
I honestly think JT is a bt of a simpleton. He’s just not all that smart. There’s no charisma, just rote platitudes. He’s dismissive of media. He closes practice. He’s been coddled to the point of ridiculousness. That’s never healthy.
He got lucky with the best player in football in AR and has rode that stroke of fortune to millions of dollars, a Blackhawk home, and an ever expanding waistline.
We have a Fresno dolt for a head coach. I hate to say it but it’s true.
September 1st, 2012 at 7:14 pm
Chris Petersen’s stock just dropped a bit. A nice value.
September 1st, 2012 at 7:20 pm
Bear claw the eumbest thing i saw today was barbour cutting the ribbon. She had no business using this as a pr boost for herself. To me she will always be the person who cut baseball,
September 1st, 2012 at 7:31 pm
Let me complete the chilling portrait:
We have a bloated Central Valley meathead for a head coach and a charmless, cliche spewing bureaucrat with an infuriatingly dated hairdo for AD.
Expect zero creativity from these Munsters cast members moving forward.
It’s becoming harrowing guys, it really is. I’m scared. I love the Bears, I detest the leadership.
September 1st, 2012 at 7:38 pm
One of the posters on this board made a remark about the Coliseum being a joke needing a remodel like CMS. Well here is a firsthand report from one of your own fans about today’s game in CMS.
“Based on this one game, the entire renovation seemed like a failure. Sitting on the east side, where it seemed like at least 80% of the fans were, it looked like they put 321 million dollars into renovating a bunch of empty over priced seats. Absolutely *nothing* done to the east side made it feel like nothing was done for over half the stadium.
It sure felt like the only thing the renovations accomplished was dividing the fans instead of uniting them. Instead of bringing us together as one, we are forced to look at a huge press box and pushy empty seats of lethargic fans who can’t bother themselves to stand and participate in the game. On the east side we get portapoties and tent based consessions. On the west side, they get 321 million worth of bathrooms, concessions, and refinements. Great message to the fans.
The entire mood at the stadium was “this is it?” before the game started…and the game didn’t make it any better. For the first time since Tedfords arival, it felt like we didn’t have a home field advantage (the home field advantage *felt* bigger at freaking AT&T last year). It felt like the entire crowd was waiting for something to happen that never did.
Sad…just really really sad.”
September 1st, 2012 at 7:39 pm
I once spoke to Tedford personally at an NYC bar for an alumni event. An absolute platitude geyser. You could tell that he bleated the same nonsense year after year at these functions to the point that it sounded like he was on some sort of verbal auto-pilot. “We’ve got to get to the Rose Bowl, etc..: The routine was so transparent that several of the folks in our group looked at each other in disbelief after the Fox News worthy pseudo banter ended. Once his propaganda duties were complete, JT grabbed Donna and dashed out the door for dinner and a show in the Big Apple courtesy of the California taxpayer. It was startling. He’s just not working with high wattage upstairs. I hate to be disrespectful but jesus, a guy who makes that kind of dough needs to be held to some standard at some point.
September 1st, 2012 at 7:47 pm
Claw, the state pays a very small percentage of his salary. It’s mostly donor money. He’s also not an idiot. Coaching a d1 program is a huge responsibility. He’s just not getting it done anymore.
September 1st, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Who will win this year’s Heisman? Just watch USC right now and one of three is destined to win it.
Matt Barkley
Marqise Lee
Robert Woods
September 1st, 2012 at 7:51 pm
I heard from a pal at the game that the renovations were a massive letdown. Logjams, tight quarters, bickering amongst frustrated fans, etc. I’m scared.
September 1st, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Went to the game today. The stadium is spectacular.
The team is the same as the past 5-6 years- under achieving, undisciplined, inconsistent- dropped passes, huge db cushions, missed tackles, wide open receivers missed on easy passes. Many times on both sides of the ball we didn’t know where to line up or what the play was. Why are we surprised about today? It’s EXACTLY what we seen for several seasons now. Definition of insanity.
Tedford has no control on this program, No clue anymore, the game passed him by long ago. Don’t give me first game mistakes- it was the first game for Nevada. Speaking of Nevada, they are tough, well coached, have another really good QB and have more heart than our Bears- but they shouldnt be on the same field as us.
September 1st, 2012 at 7:58 pm
Love this one from one of your fans…
“So on top of having a wonderful day in the sun and watching the cluster-f that is our football team, it started off with a bang when trying to find my seat. You see, I have three tickets – seats 19-21* with number 21 being an aisle seat. Well, wouldn’t you believe it – when I tried to sit down it turns out that there is not a seat number 21. Yes, you read that correctly – Cal AD sold me a season ticket to a seat that is not in the stadium…
I talked to a customer service person at the stadium and they advised that last night around 6pm when doing their final walkthrough they realized that someone made a rather embarrassing mistake, and in fact they don’t have enough room for 21 seats in my row. They were taking down peoples seat’s and names and are supposed to call/email me on tuesday to provide me with some options.
I personally am looking for three new seats in the fancy new section – they seem to have plenty of availability over there. Unbelievable. It worked out this week because the people right next to us didn’t show so we had room, but when we get into the conference games, there is no way that I am having one of my three seats be re-seated somewhere random and splitting us up. The incompetence is stunning, really.”
September 1st, 2012 at 8:01 pm
MoreVDsarecoming:
U$C victories can’t be legitimately celebrated for at least a decade after they’re played because of the overwhelming likelihood of sanctions that wipe them from the record books. Your program smells like shit.
So feel free to post about tonight’s U$C win over Hawaii in 2022 or so and then we’ll treat it as an actual victory. Until then it’s just an illusion.
Also: Have you ever talked to a therapist about what “Daddy” subjected you to on Cheapskate Hill after the 1984 game against UOP? It’s probably at the root of your hatred of our lovable Golden Bears.
September 1st, 2012 at 8:07 pm
Roll:
I always respect your opinions. But I see no trace of creativity or charisma or intellect from this guy at all, not in interviews, not in anything. If he is indeed a reasonably smart man then why exactly is he not getting it done?
September 1st, 2012 at 8:15 pm
Wait, you didn’t even attend $C? You’re not from LA? Forget I even addressed you. What a waste of my eloquence.
Anyway, good luck with your beloved Yankees, Miami Heat, LA Kings, the Spanish National Soccer team, the Kentucky Wildcats hoops squad, Manchester City and of course your favorite boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.
September 1st, 2012 at 8:15 pm
#93 CBC
Isn’t it called “Tightwad Hill”?
You aren’t a Cal state fan. You are just a poser.
September 1st, 2012 at 8:19 pm
Finally home…
Not just a loss, but physically beaten on both sides of the ball. Other than #21, none of our players stood out. Despite close score (and we could have won) it felt like Nevada was the best team. As the Cupper says, “Run and stop the run.” Nevada did.
>Sun broke out just as the ribbon was cut
>stadium looks great, but 90% of us still sitting on bench seats with no legroom
>$5 Top Dogs a new stadium tradition
>lots of real toilets
>terrific sound and video
>why does Cal have 25+ cheerleaders
>student section was loud
September 1st, 2012 at 8:22 pm
A verbal misstep does not negate an otherwise flawless linguistic ballet.
September 1st, 2012 at 8:25 pm
For those calling for Tedfrauds head … 4 more years at $3 mil per. $12 million reasons why we are STUCK with this loser.
Just for grins, who would we want, and be realistic. My dream would be Chris Peterson. Not that we could get him. Maybe a chip Kelly disciple?
September 1st, 2012 at 8:25 pm
You sign your place and calling, in full seeming,
With meekness and humility; but your heart
Is cramm’d with arrogancy, spleen, and pride.
Henry VIII 2.4.118-20
September 1st, 2012 at 8:27 pm
You gotta admire Nevada HC Chris Ault. The man wins year after year after taking the discard recruits that nobody from the PAC 12 would take. And the he invents a pistol offense that teams like Cal will never be able to handle because they don’t have the patience and intelligence to defend it. Coy Wire, the tv color man today, marveled at how efficiently and quickly Nevada ran that offense today. From snap to whistle and then snap again, he noted it was the fastest pace he had ever seen. Cal’s D line just looked gassed and confused.
What does Tedford do to speed up play and confuse defenders? He runs the team to the line of scrimmage without a huddle and then has Maynard stand there for about 20 seconds while supposedly reading the defensive alignment. How did that work for you today, Jeff? Pathetic.
September 1st, 2012 at 8:28 pm
No use in arguing with a fool, guys. And no use antagonizing him either, unless you want a James Holmes 2.0. Being serious here.
The team needs to regroup and work out more kinks before the big road swing.
September 1st, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Will, you’re right. I just felt like this animal needed to be put down once and for all. Wasn’t in the mood for MoreVDs indulgences after today’s debacle.
So I’m forking over more than a grand to go watch the Bears in Columbus in two weeks. Anyone else in the same boat? The Bears need to grow up fast. I just wish they had a different chaperone.
September 1st, 2012 at 8:39 pm
There is no way Tedford gets fired this year or next the next year after that with Sandy “You’re coin a heckuva job Teddie” Barbour. He can lean on the new stadium this year and will be given two years with Kline.
Yikes.
September 1st, 2012 at 8:49 pm
Dan, I want Bruce Snyder, or someone just like him. He came to Cal as an O coordinator from the Rams. He wasn’t on too many radar screens at the time. In his first three years, his Cal teams were often over matched. But they played with such passion and were fun to watch. When he got his own recruits, he produced arguably the best Cal team in the modern era, the 91 team with NFL players like Sean Dawkins, Mike Pawlaski, Russell White, Eric Mahlum and Todd Steussie. And then he proved it was no fluke by going to ASU and taking them to a Rose Bowl in four years. Their last Rose Bowl, btw.
I want someone just like him.
September 1st, 2012 at 9:06 pm
So Steve, who is that guy?
Also, It is mind boggling to me that Sandy Barbour gave Tedford this ridiculous what seems like a lifetime extension with no negative performance clauses and we’re stuck with this guy for 4 more years. He’s stealing money and he’s the MOST OVERPAID COACH in America.
He is going to annihilate this program the way Ben Braun did to the BB program. They still haven’t recovered.
Mark my words- the new Memorial Stadium will not be The House That Tedford Built- it will be The Debt That Tedford Built. When the crowds are 40,000 and under and many of the big donor seats are unsold, the finances here will be ugly.
September 1st, 2012 at 9:30 pm
Dan
Couldn’t agree more on the Memorial debt.
More than a few empty seats in the ESP section.
One high rent University Club section has 58 seats seats available at $11,994 per year. That’s $695,652 of revenue–unsold–for one year.
I’ll be in the cheap seats every game until I drop, but I just don’t believe the public will support football unless it’s a consistent 8+ game winner. That’s what makes this program’s future interesting/scary/important.
September 1st, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Dan, not sure who that guy is other than to say it might not be someone obvious. No one knew who Chip Kelly was five years ago. I!m just saying the UCLA route of taking a head coach from two NFL teams might not be the way to go. Besides, I don’t think Chris Peterson is ever leaving Boise.
One thing is for sure, though. Our next great HC is out there somewhere, and it might not take $2.4 million to get him. We just need to identify him. Here’s the qualities I would be looking for:
Youthful in appearance. An innovator in his chosen field, whether it be defense or offense. A tireless recruiter, think Tosh Lopoi or Lane Kiffen. High energy to rally the players. Not afraid to discipline the players when needed. And finally, a nut about conditioning. The Cal players, especially the D linemen, looked like they skipped out on a few wind sprints today.
September 1st, 2012 at 11:10 pm
Good points Steve-
I want to add- and this is harsh- Maynard is not a winner, he is not a leader. That’s a killer from a senior QB. AND – He is NO better than last season. The P12 network is dissecting what I witnessed today.
I got some background today at the game from a very reliable source re: his rumored academic issues. To be sure, much of the rumors were accurate. It would help if he went to class every day and if he paid more attention in class when he did show up or got more sleep before going to class – let’s leave it at that, but very troubling, especially from your QB, especially at Cal, especially from your so-called principled, moral head coach.
September 2nd, 2012 at 6:04 am
Maynard is not a winner – but that makes him the perfect Tedford QB. I mean, he’s the guy who produced nearly a decade of abysmal QBs. He did decent work with Boller and Rodgers was just a natural talent. Since then, name one QB at Cal who hasn’t left as a worse player than he came in (which is pretty much what Ben Braun did with talent).
Fire Tedford.
September 2nd, 2012 at 7:08 am
Good morning. Here are a couple of thoughts (and they are being offered free of charge).
1. The beatwriter at the SacBee actually wrote a great article on the game yesterday.I don’t want to steal any of JF’s thunder but there are some classic quotes.
“But after Saturday’s stunning loss, Tedford, in his 11th season, probably won’t argue that our state’s job security and pension plans are excessive.”
“So while the Bears couldn’t wait to get back home, they played as if they had forgotten what the place looked like.”
“But a stadium is still just a stadium. Lipstick only conceals so many blemishes.”
2. What was with Maynard pointing to his left arm after every completion? Was that a sign of disrespect to the Cal state fans? An in your face moment for all of you bullies
3. The excuses have already begun. SFGate reports how the Cal state players were complaining of slippery field conditions. Ask that Nevada runningback who put up 150 yards on you and their QB who ran for another 100. LOL
4. Still no word from our esteemed advisor to the Social Welfare stars. That’s reminiscent of the 2007, 2008, 2009 seasons. Perhaps he can explain the rumors made by a poster on Bear Insider who said that Maynard doesn’t take his studies very seriously and has no intention of doing so.
5. Finally,
USC – 49
Hawaii – 10
September 2nd, 2012 at 7:09 am
Sorry here is the link to the SacBee article
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/02/4779713/ailene-voisin-cal-unveils-and.html
September 2nd, 2012 at 7:35 am
Back in San Diego from game. Lots of great pregame energy. New tradition of team getting off bus on street, touching bear, going up steps. Great pep rally. Tried to enjoy it all (blondies/TOP) before noon because I was unsure of waht to expect. Solid plano on my part. First, I thought stadium looked great. Mostly in common areas and restrooms and such but still was impressed. Team was completely unprepared. Must have spent too much time in all those nice conference rooms in the videos. KA did alright but not his usual self and no footing. Maynard didn’t lose for us but nothing spectacular. Bad choice for JT to start our era by sitting some starters. OLine and DLines got dominated. That spells doom. It wasn’t turnovers or penalties and we have the better players. It was coaching and we were unprepared. Maynard was last person off the bus and last person jogging onto the field. No leadership there or energy. Bottom line…we’ve got to find a way to buy out JT. We just have to. We need a new spark or we will waste the energy around a new stadium.
September 2nd, 2012 at 9:41 am
Hey MoreVDs, your Yanks won last night. Congrats!
September 2nd, 2012 at 9:44 am
MoreVDs roots for all winning teams despite having no links to them! Isn’t that precious! It also called the Heat winning last year as well as Spain’s World Cup win. VDs loves all winning franchises.
“Daddy, Daddy, stop it Daddy.”
September 2nd, 2012 at 9:52 am
#114-115 CBC
Frontrunners?
Why not ask how many of the posters on this board were around when Holmoe and Gilby were the coaches?
This is the worst front runners amongst college football fans in the country. Bruce Snyder even told me that.
September 2nd, 2012 at 10:17 am
Jeff, being from Berkeley, I think we all believe in free speech.
However, your blog comments are being dominated by a troll. Someone who, in effect, is shouting everyone else down.
September 2nd, 2012 at 10:43 am
The First Amendment only applies to restrictions imposed by the government, so JF has every right to ban any comment that he wants.
But both JO and now JF have shown that they’re only in it for the page clicks….so Pug, don’t expect JF to do anything about it. Just install Greasemonkey.
September 2nd, 2012 at 11:02 am
Page clicks equal paychecks Will. This isn’t Faraudo’s hobby, it’s his livelihood. Look what happened to his predecessor.
September 2nd, 2012 at 11:20 am
if you all installed the greasemonkey script the troll wouldn’t be an issue
http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/58785
September 2nd, 2012 at 11:26 am
Just got into to Cork, Ireland. Great, great city. And now for several pints, because I am still agog at yesterday’s complete letdown.
Have scrolled through the comments, I think only one of the Tedford defenders said anything, and conceded that this is close to being the straw. I would really like those who deride Cal fans who criticize Tedford to step up and either defend what happened yesterday or lay blame where is due.
September 2nd, 2012 at 11:49 am
I think everything was already said about yesterdays game, so not much else to say other than shameful and disgusting.
The stadium was nice to look at. Easier to depart from since they have that larger exit over the north & south tunnel to where you don’t have to go all the way up and around to get in/out. Concessions were cool, however the lines were too long, but maybe that was due to it being the first game and so packed, also I got the sense that people were still figuring out the stadium. I would suggest eating somewhere before going into the stadium otherwise you may miss a qtr of the game, which yesterday was fine by me. East side didn’t change much. Better food stands, but port-o-poties still there.
Also, many of those ESP seats were empty even though they claimed a sellout crowd of 62,000+.
September 2nd, 2012 at 12:00 pm
So I’ve never really been at the point before to do anything but complain about JT, but I now feel time is of the essence and maybe there needs to be more of a united effort to respectfully but forecefully get him out. Any ideas out there on a way we can put some pressure on Sandy to listen to the fans? We need leadership that is younger, more in tune with the times and more energetic. We somehow lucked into a tie late yesterday and had the ball, albeit deep in our territory. And there was not one player on our sideline waving a towel or anything. The culture is not one of energy and confidence. That combined with the lack of our CAL athletic department to use any microphones or announcers to spur the crowd, leads to a boring lackluster “homefield”. The blames comes from the top and it is time for change, so any thoughts would be appreciated.
September 2nd, 2012 at 12:12 pm
#123 – Daredevil
Sandy to Tedford – “Jeff, it is time to talk about your redundancy”
Tedford to Sandy – “Show me the money and all $10M of it. Until then these meetings are redundant.”
September 2nd, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Look Bears. The Pac-12 has slowly descended to the SEC West. This decline has been slow and steady. Moral bottom feeders like Chip Kelly, Pete Carroll, Steve Sarkisisan, Lane Kiffin and Mike Leach are the new norm as their teams dominate the conference. These guys cheat, steal and lie their way through season after season and get their teams to BCS games. So now we as Bears must ask ourselves, where do we want our program to go? 8-6 with a coach who demands that his players attend classes or 12 win seasons with a bunch of guys who make the police blotters?
Still, as much as I like Tedford, I’ve reached the point where I can’t defend the game yesterday. Nevada may end up as a top 25 team but man! How could Coach T claim to have prepared for that game and have a D play that poorly against the pistol. After a sleepless night I must say that I am depressed and tired.
All in all, I’d still rather than be a Bear than a Toejam! GO BEARS.
September 2nd, 2012 at 1:38 pm
I don’t think it’s going to take alumni and booster pressure to insure this is Tedford’s last season. From what I saw yesterday, the natural course of events will all but assure that Tedford’s last day in Berkeley will come in late November. I’m looking at the schedule and see one more win: next week. The weak sisters in the PAC 12 – Colorado and Arizona – are not on the schedule. And all the teams that Cal beat last year are arguably much better now.
This season could be shades of 2001 in a hurry – a bunch of talented players who have given up on their head coach. I think that happened half-way through the 2007 season and could happen much sooner this season.
September 2nd, 2012 at 2:38 pm
@Easy Ed
Please don’t turn this into a dichotomy or a choice between maintaining our academic/moral stature or having winning football. These are by no means mutually exclusive and I’m sure you and most on this site can name numerous examples where both are the norm, in football and/or basketball (the main draws as far as college sports go). Thank you to everyone on this site who is as enraged as I have been the last few years. NO MORE DEFENDING, NO MORE JUSTIFYING, NO MORE RATIONALIZING. NEW FACILITIES ARE NOT A DEFENSE. ACTION!!! JEFF (AND SANDY AS WELL) MUST GO!
I wish I could think offhand of more possibilities for replacements. There already have been several mentioned above. As another poster indicated, the next “great thing” may likely not be a name at the tip of anyone’s tongue currently, but a successful, innovative assistant with recruiting credibility as well. Knowledge of “the Twitter” and “the Facebook” a plus.
September 2nd, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Clondoc I agree with most of what you said but facts are facts. I can still remember Tom Osbourne losing National Championships until he brought in the thing patrol. Same thing with Oregon and of course we all know about USC, Florida and Miami. Every now and then a program can get a superior player like Aaron Rogers (Cal was a BCS team in 2004) or Andrew Luck (let’s see how Stanford does without him) but as a whole they can’t maintain the excellence of these football factories. Basketball? Totally different situation.
In short, I agree we have no more excuses, we may not be LSU or Alabama but we have the facilities and talent to put a better product on the field than what I saw on Saturday. Speaking of which, Direct TV sucks, I had to go over to someone’s house with Cox Cable. But then again, the way the Bears played yesterday maybe Direst TV is trying to save me from a stroke!
September 2nd, 2012 at 6:12 pm
Maybe Comcast will buy out JTs contract. Lots of folks thinking about switching this week jus had a change of heart.
September 2nd, 2012 at 6:21 pm
But at least Osborne was contending for national championships prior to then. Question whether his subsequent actions put him over the top. However, NC aside, perennial Top 25 team and contending yearly for the conference championship and in certain years the national championship should be EXPECTED and are all very achievable while maintaining what makes Cal great off the field and not bringing in a negative/criminal element.
September 2nd, 2012 at 6:32 pm
Easy Ed @ #125/128-
The comparison of the slickster (yet most successful) coaches in the Pac 12 to the morally wonderful Tedford does not ring true. Let’s just start with Maynard- as Ive heard, in the spring, Maynard was not even showing up to at least one of his classes. When he was finally forced to (the football offices got wind of it) , he showed, sat in the back, and literally put his head down on the desk and slept- repeatedly. The coaches knew about this. Clearly the academic rumors floating around about our QB had more than a thread of truth to them. He had to take 9 units in summer school to be eligible to play in the fall. How can that be possible unless he treats the academics part of his being at Cal as a joke? Please keep in mind that this is behavior from our QB, who should be a team leader. The fact that Tedford has repeatedly praised him to the media as a leaders that has matured and improved (when to me is neither mature or improved) doesn’t speak well of Tedford. Then you have the whole deceiving debacle of him not starting yesterday as a surprise to everyone. The coaches have known about this since June and told no one about it until right before kickoff. Oh, except for the players- they knew about days before. There are red flags all over the place just in these details, not to mention what we have seen on the field for years. Oh, and Maynard was supposed to sit out the first quarter yesterday- but when things weren’t going too well, that punishment was amended on the spot.
Please let’s not criticize all these other PAC 12 coaches as morally bereft by contrast that Tedford and Cal football are bastions of virtue. I’ve have read so much on here over the years how Tedford’s supporters think that the alternative to him is either Tom Holmoe type football (losing) or crooked football (winning). Really? Aren’t Cal grads and fans be smarter than that? Is Chris Peterson crooked? Is Chris Ault, whose less talented teams have embarrassed Cal 2 of the last 3 teams crooked? Was Jim Harbaugh crooked at Stanford? Heck, is Chip Kelly crooked? Just for fun, if you could wave a magic wand and have Chip Kelly as the Cal coach, would you? I would in a split second. Why do I know that MANY Cal fans think that Cal is somehow some morally superior place than almost everywhere? Please.
Also, we are all wondering if somehow Sandy Barbour would somehow be able to fire Tedford or find a way to buy him out. She’s as bad as he is. She’s the one that gave him a seemingly lifetime contract- this is worse than Barry Zitos contract. She’s the one that butchered the whole dropping sports situation. Shes every but as bad in her job as Tedford, we just don’t see that on display as often as we see Tedford’s less than mediocrity on 12 fall Saturdays every. Yet there was good ol Sandy front and center out there cutting the ribbon at mid-field yesterday.
PAC 12 and D1 football are big business. Cal needs a dynamic, aggressive, confident, progressive, creative, hard working leader that can and will field a team that inspires us and makes us proud most of the time- without breaking the rules. Tedford did that for 5 years, yet he will make an annual fortune for 15 years or more here at Cal. The lost potential revenue prior to this years was bad enough- and make no mistake that there has been a TON of lost potential the last several years as attendance has dwindled and tv coverage has lessened as Cal football has become worse and worse- and less relevant. That was without the astronomical debt that now exists and must be serviced.
The question that will become very obvious is not whether can Cal afford to fire Tedford (thus eating his contract and paying a new coach and staff), but can Cal afford not to?
Sandy Barbour and the wealthy donors that make these decisions whiffed badly by waiting 3 years too long to get rid of Ben Braun. The basketball program has never yet recovered. Tedford’s teams are now worse than Braun’s were, and the time is dragging on to where its going to drag on longer than it did with Braun. Cal entered into the high stakes game of business by committing almost $500 million by deciding to enter the D1 football arms race. I believe it was the right decision to do so, but when you don’t have a competent person running these programs, the damage will be great. The price to be paid is now a lot more than sucking at football.
September 2nd, 2012 at 7:32 pm
Man this is tough, but Dan you’re probably right.
September 2nd, 2012 at 11:40 pm
Agreed Ed, this tough. And the fact that things are so obvious and we are all virtually helpless makes it even tougher.