• Firstly Palo Alto is absolutely bear territory, at least on big game days at Furd. Cal fans dominated the Stadium, as we did 2 years ago except more so last night.
• Cal fans stomped their feet on 3rd downs making the whole place shake and rumble. While the only thing that Furd did was the PA guy would yell aggressively that it was 3rd down, which, after Cal continued to convert 3rd downs, sounded pretty lame.
• I am so sick of Stanford announcing it is Leland Stanford. I shouted "who the **** cares about his first name" because, yeah, nobody cares--No offense to any Cal fans named Leland.
• Cal plays absolutely their best football at Stanford stadium going back to the Zach Maynard era. Yeah lots of those were losses but they were close losses to Furd team that was far superior in talent.
• I don't like Wilcox as a HC, but he has figured out how to win big games better than most of our recent HCs.
• Mendoza and Ott are going to be a dynamic duo at Cal as long as they are here. Ott is now learning to make even better decisions on inside runs, popping outside when needed. And he usually breaks 2 tackles on each run. Maybe it was just the poor Furd defense, but I think Ott may actually be getting better.
• Mendoza has an elite arm. You heard it here first. It is elite because of the velocity that is still catchable. The ball gets to the receiver very fast. Mendoza is very much like Brock Purdy internally with an even more likeable personality and better leadership skills. Purdy makes better decisions at this point but I think Mendoza may have a better arm. Mendoza needs to sense pressure a bit better, protect himself on runs better and avoid making the risky throw a bit better, although Purdy still makes risky throws too. Mendoza will be in the NFL, which I said before he even took a live snap at Cal.
• What do you think about Ott taking a knee at the 5 with less than 2 minutes left in the game? I have mixed feelings. Selfishly I wanted him to score, which he could have done easily as there was nobody around him. 34-15 would have looked so much better on the scoreboard and it would have more accurately reflected how much Cal dominated that game. But, after my initial dismay, I realized that Ott's decision had iced the game. It's the decision all the broadcasters and coach preach as the right decision, but rarely is it done, especially in college and especially by a young player. When Ott was first interviewed at Cal, something about the way he talked made me think that he was kind of egotistical and narcissistic. That rapidly changed and I have grown to respect him as a young man as well as an elite athlete. But none of that prepared me for what he did last night. He is very intelligent and knows the game situation, maybe even better than his coaches. And he is selfless and a true team player. That act along with Mendoza's play and Spavitol's coaching will give Cal great leadership on offense moving forward. That will help us pull in offensive talent through the portal during the off-season as we still need to bolster our OL and could use better top end talent at WR.
• More mind blowingly bad calls from pac-12 refs in the big game: Why is it that the refs. love Furd so much? But the punt return interference called against Cal in the first quarter last night was completely fabricated. There was nobody within several yards of him. The flag was not throw until very late. That call could have cost Cal the game as, at one point, it was a 6 point game with Furd driving for a score. What is disgusting is that they couldn't review it because it wasn't the fumble recovery that was in dispute. It was the penalty call, which cannot be reviewed. It isn't just that calls are blown, but it is when they are blatantly fabricated that bothers me and this has happened in every single big game for as far back as I can remember in favor of Furd. Having said that, I'm not sure that was targetting on Mendoza, Mendoza was knocked out when his helmet slammed on the ground falling backwards. I didn't see the Furd player hit Mendoza in the head at all.
• This game makes watching next Saturday's game more fun and interesting but I am not very hopeful. Chip Kelly, who somehow has pissed off his employer, is 9-1 against Cal as an HC. And Cal does not have a very good history against UCLA in the rose bowl. Also UCLA has solved their QB problem, which contributed to their losses this season. UCLA has an elite defense so how will the big 3 leaders on offense I mentioned above handle that? That will be interesting to watch. However I am not looking forward to watching Garbers and Sturdivant carve up Cal's pass D, especially since I feel both should be at Cal. I just want the key players to come out of the game healthy enough to play next season.
• Despite all of the crap this year, I am actually looking forward to next season. But we have to get much better coaching and talent on defense immediately.

heartofthebear said:

---

I was on the fence about going, but as tickets became scarce, jumped on it, getting 2 tickets way up in section 240. Having had sat there 2 years ago, I was okay with that. Then as forecasts turned sour, I kindof regretted it. After all, staying home would mean being able to also match Goergia-Tennessee, USC-UCLA and Washington-Oregon St. Plus I'm fasting right now, so lunch before the game was out.

But, despite many traffic hassles both ways, including a train delay because a car was on the tracks, I will never miss a Cal game in PA again. Here's my take on Cal, Furd, the game and the future:

• Firstly Palo Alto is absolutely bear territory, at least on big game days at Furd. Cal fans dominated the Stadium, as we did 2 years ago except more so last night.
• Cal fans stomped their feet on 3rd downs making the whole place shake and rumble. While the only thing that Furd did was the PA guy would yell aggressively that it was 3rd down, which, after Cal continued to convert 3rd downs, sounded pretty lame.
• I am so sick of Stanford announcing it is Leland Stanford. I shouted "who the **** cares about his first name" because, yeah, nobody cares--No offense to any Cal fans named Leland.
• Cal plays absolutely their best football at Stanford stadium going back to the Zach Maynard era. Yeah lots of those were losses but they were close losses to Furd team that was far superior in talent.
• I don't like Wilcox as a HC, but he has figured out how to win big games better than most of our recent HCs.
• Mendoza and Ott are going to be a dynamic duo at Cal as long as they are here. Ott is now learning to make even better decisions on inside runs, popping outside when needed. And he usually breaks 2 tackles on each run. Maybe it was just the poor Furd defense, but I think Ott may actually be getting better.
• Mendoza has an elite arm. You heard it here first. It is elite because of the velocity that is still catchable. The ball gets to the receiver very fast. Mendoza is very much like Brock Purdy internally with an even more likeable personality and better leadership skills. Purdy makes better decisions at this point but I think Mendoza may have a better arm. Mendoza needs to sense pressure a bit better, protect himself on runs better and avoid making the risky throw a bit better, although Purdy still makes risky throws too. Mendoza will be in the NFL, which I said before he even took a live snap at Cal.
• What do you think about Ott taking a knee at the 5 with less than 2 minutes left in the game? I have mixed feelings. Selfishly I wanted him to score, which he could have done easily as there was nobody around him. 34-15 would have looked so much better on the scoreboard and it would have more accurately reflected how much Cal dominated that game. But, after my initial dismay, I realized that Ott's decision had iced the game. It's the decision all the broadcasters and coach preach as the right decision, but rarely is it done, especially in college and especially by a young player. When Ott was first interviewed at Cal, something about the way he talked made me think that he was kind of egotistical and narcissistic. That rapidly changed and I have grown to respect him as a young man as well as an elite athlete. But none of that prepared me for what he did last night. He is very intelligent and knows the game situation, maybe even better than his coaches. And he is selfless and a true team player. That act along with Mendoza's play and Spavitol's coaching will give Cal great leadership on offense moving forward. That will help us pull in offensive talent through the portal during the off-season as we still need to bolster our OL and could use better top end talent at WR.
• More mind blowingly bad calls from pac-12 refs in the big game: Why is it that the refs. love Furd so much? But the punt return interference called against Cal in the first quarter last night was completely fabricated. There was nobody within several yards of him. The flag was not throw until very late. That call could have cost Cal the game as, at one point, it was a 6 point game with Furd driving for a score. What is disgusting is that they couldn't review it because it wasn't the fumble recovery that was in dispute. It was the penalty call, which cannot be reviewed. It isn't just that calls are blown, but it is when they are blatantly fabricated that bothers me and this has happened in every single big game for as far back as I can remember in favor of Furd. Having said that, I'm not sure that was targetting on Mendoza, Mendoza was knocked out when his helmet slammed on the ground falling backwards. I didn't see the Furd player hit Mendoza in the head at all.
• This game makes watching next Saturday's game more fun and interesting but I am not very hopeful. Chip Kelly, who somehow has pissed off his employer, is 9-1 against Cal as an HC. And Cal does not have a very good history against UCLA in the rose bowl. Also UCLA has solved their QB problem, which contributed to their losses this season. UCLA has an elite defense so how will the big 3 leaders on offense I mentioned above handle that? That will be interesting to watch. However I am not looking forward to watching Garbers and Sturdivant carve up Cal's pass D, especially since I feel both should be at Cal. I just want the key players to come out of the game healthy enough to play next season.
• Despite all of the crap this year, I am actually looking forward to next season. But we have to get much better coaching and talent on defense immediately.

---

heartofthebear said:

---

What do you think about Ott taking a knee at the 5 with less than 2 minutes left in the game? I have mixed feelings. Selfishly I wanted him to score, which he could have done easily as there was nobody around him. 34-15 would have looked so much better on the scoreboard and it would have more accurately reflected how much Cal dominated that game. But, after my initial dismay, I realized that Ott's decision had iced the game. It's the decision all the broadcasters and coach preach as the right decision, but rarely is it done, especially in college and especially by a young player.

---

DiabloWags said:

---

heartofthebear said:

---

What do you think about Ott taking a knee at the 5 with less than 2 minutes left in the game? I have mixed feelings. Selfishly I wanted him to score, which he could have done easily as there was nobody around him. 34-15 would have looked so much better on the scoreboard and it would have more accurately reflected how much Cal dominated that game. But, after my initial dismay, I realized that Ott's decision had iced the game. It's the decision all the broadcasters and coach preach as the right decision, but rarely is it done, especially in college and especially by a young player.

---

In 2004, Jeff Tedford took a "knee" against Southern Mississippi on the road and it cost us dearly with a #5 in the BCS standings when we were #4 heading into the game.. That was our last (and best chance) to go to a Rose Bowl.

To this day, I still recall former Domer head coach Bob Davie in the broadcast booth claiming that Cal didn't win by enough to keep its position in the BCS at #4.

---

heartofthebear said:

---

I was on the fence about going, but as tickets became scarce, jumped on it, getting 2 tickets way up in section 240. Having had sat there 2 years ago, I was okay with that. Then as forecasts turned sour, I kindof regretted it. After all, staying home would mean being able to also match Goergia-Tennessee, USC-UCLA and Washington-Oregon St. Plus I'm fasting right now, so lunch before the game was out.

But, despite many traffic hassles both ways, including a train delay because a car was on the tracks, I will never miss a Cal game in PA again. Here's my take on Cal, Furd, the game and the future:

• Firstly Palo Alto is absolutely bear territory, at least on big game days at Furd. Cal fans dominated the Stadium, as we did 2 years ago except more so last night.
• Cal fans stomped their feet on 3rd downs making the whole place shake and rumble. While the only thing that Furd did was the PA guy would yell aggressively that it was 3rd down, which, after Cal continued to convert 3rd downs, sounded pretty lame.
• I am so sick of Stanford announcing it is Leland Stanford. I shouted "who the **** cares about his first name" because, yeah, nobody cares--No offense to any Cal fans named Leland.
• Cal plays absolutely their best football at Stanford stadium going back to the Zach Maynard era. Yeah lots of those were losses but they were close losses to Furd team that was far superior in talent.
• I don't like Wilcox as a HC, but he has figured out how to win big games better than most of our recent HCs.
• Mendoza and Ott are going to be a dynamic duo at Cal as long as they are here. Ott is now learning to make even better decisions on inside runs, popping outside when needed. And he usually breaks 2 tackles on each run. Maybe it was just the poor Furd defense, but I think Ott may actually be getting better.
• Mendoza has an elite arm. You heard it here first. It is elite because of the velocity that is still catchable. The ball gets to the receiver very fast. Mendoza is very much like Brock Purdy internally with an even more likeable personality and better leadership skills. Purdy makes better decisions at this point but I think Mendoza may have a better arm. Mendoza needs to sense pressure a bit better, protect himself on runs better and avoid making the risky throw a bit better, although Purdy still makes risky throws too. Mendoza will be in the NFL, which I said before he even took a live snap at Cal.
• What do you think about Ott taking a knee at the 5 with less than 2 minutes left in the game? I have mixed feelings. Selfishly I wanted him to score, which he could have done easily as there was nobody around him. 34-15 would have looked so much better on the scoreboard and it would have more accurately reflected how much Cal dominated that game. But, after my initial dismay, I realized that Ott's decision had iced the game. It's the decision all the broadcasters and coach preach as the right decision, but rarely is it done, especially in college and especially by a young player. When Ott was first interviewed at Cal, something about the way he talked made me think that he was kind of egotistical and narcissistic. That rapidly changed and I have grown to respect him as a young man as well as an elite athlete. But none of that prepared me for what he did last night. He is very intelligent and knows the game situation, maybe even better than his coaches. And he is selfless and a true team player. That act along with Mendoza's play and Spavitol's coaching will give Cal great leadership on offense moving forward. That will help us pull in offensive talent through the portal during the off-season as we still need to bolster our OL and could use better top end talent at WR.
• More mind blowingly bad calls from pac-12 refs in the big game: Why is it that the refs. love Furd so much? But the punt return interference called against Cal in the first quarter last night was completely fabricated. There was nobody within several yards of him. The flag was not throw until very late. That call could have cost Cal the game as, at one point, it was a 6 point game with Furd driving for a score. What is disgusting is that they couldn't review it because it wasn't the fumble recovery that was in dispute. It was the penalty call, which cannot be reviewed. It isn't just that calls are blown, but it is when they are blatantly fabricated that bothers me and this has happened in every single big game for as far back as I can remember in favor of Furd. Having said that, I'm not sure that was targetting on Mendoza, Mendoza was knocked out when his helmet slammed on the ground falling backwards. I didn't see the Furd player hit Mendoza in the head at all.
• This game makes watching next Saturday's game more fun and interesting but I am not very hopeful. Chip Kelly, who somehow has pissed off his employer, is 9-1 against Cal as an HC. And Cal does not have a very good history against UCLA in the rose bowl. Also UCLA has solved their QB problem, which contributed to their losses this season. UCLA has an elite defense so how will the big 3 leaders on offense I mentioned above handle that? That will be interesting to watch. However I am not looking forward to watching Garbers and Sturdivant carve up Cal's pass D, especially since I feel both should be at Cal. I just want the key players to come out of the game healthy enough to play next season.
• Despite all of the crap this year, I am actually looking forward to next season. But we have to get much better coaching and talent on defense immediately.

---

OdontoBear66 said:

---

heartofthebear said:

---

I was on the fence about going, but as tickets became scarce, jumped on it, getting 2 tickets way up in section 240. Having had sat there 2 years ago, I was okay with that. Then as forecasts turned sour, I kindof regretted it. After all, staying home would mean being able to also match Goergia-Tennessee, USC-UCLA and Washington-Oregon St. Plus I'm fasting right now, so lunch before the game was out.

But, despite many traffic hassles both ways, including a train delay because a car was on the tracks, I will never miss a Cal game in PA again. Here's my take on Cal, Furd, the game and the future:

• Firstly Palo Alto is absolutely bear territory, at least on big game days at Furd. Cal fans dominated the Stadium, as we did 2 years ago except more so last night.
• Cal fans stomped their feet on 3rd downs making the whole place shake and rumble. While the only thing that Furd did was the PA guy would yell aggressively that it was 3rd down, which, after Cal continued to convert 3rd downs, sounded pretty lame.
• I am so sick of Stanford announcing it is Leland Stanford. I shouted "who the **** cares about his first name" because, yeah, nobody cares--No offense to any Cal fans named Leland.
• Cal plays absolutely their best football at Stanford stadium going back to the Zach Maynard era. Yeah lots of those were losses but they were close losses to Furd team that was far superior in talent.
• I don't like Wilcox as a HC, but he has figured out how to win big games better than most of our recent HCs.
• Mendoza and Ott are going to be a dynamic duo at Cal as long as they are here. Ott is now learning to make even better decisions on inside runs, popping outside when needed. And he usually breaks 2 tackles on each run. Maybe it was just the poor Furd defense, but I think Ott may actually be getting better.
• Mendoza has an elite arm. You heard it here first. It is elite because of the velocity that is still catchable. The ball gets to the receiver very fast. Mendoza is very much like Brock Purdy internally with an even more likeable personality and better leadership skills. Purdy makes better decisions at this point but I think Mendoza may have a better arm. Mendoza needs to sense pressure a bit better, protect himself on runs better and avoid making the risky throw a bit better, although Purdy still makes risky throws too. Mendoza will be in the NFL, which I said before he even took a live snap at Cal.
• What do you think about Ott taking a knee at the 5 with less than 2 minutes left in the game? I have mixed feelings. Selfishly I wanted him to score, which he could have done easily as there was nobody around him. 34-15 would have looked so much better on the scoreboard and it would have more accurately reflected how much Cal dominated that game. But, after my initial dismay, I realized that Ott's decision had iced the game. It's the decision all the broadcasters and coach preach as the right decision, but rarely is it done, especially in college and especially by a young player. When Ott was first interviewed at Cal, something about the way he talked made me think that he was kind of egotistical and narcissistic. That rapidly changed and I have grown to respect him as a young man as well as an elite athlete. But none of that prepared me for what he did last night. He is very intelligent and knows the game situation, maybe even better than his coaches. And he is selfless and a true team player. That act along with Mendoza's play and Spavitol's coaching will give Cal great leadership on offense moving forward. That will help us pull in offensive talent through the portal during the off-season as we still need to bolster our OL and could use better top end talent at WR.
• More mind blowingly bad calls from pac-12 refs in the big game: Why is it that the refs. love Furd so much? But the punt return interference called against Cal in the first quarter last night was completely fabricated. There was nobody within several yards of him. The flag was not throw until very late. That call could have cost Cal the game as, at one point, it was a 6 point game with Furd driving for a score. What is disgusting is that they couldn't review it because it wasn't the fumble recovery that was in dispute. It was the penalty call, which cannot be reviewed. It isn't just that calls are blown, but it is when they are blatantly fabricated that bothers me and this has happened in every single big game for as far back as I can remember in favor of Furd. Having said that, I'm not sure that was targetting on Mendoza, Mendoza was knocked out when his helmet slammed on the ground falling backwards. I didn't see the Furd player hit Mendoza in the head at all.
• This game makes watching next Saturday's game more fun and interesting but I am not very hopeful. Chip Kelly, who somehow has pissed off his employer, is 9-1 against Cal as an HC. And Cal does not have a very good history against UCLA in the rose bowl. Also UCLA has solved their QB problem, which contributed to their losses this season. UCLA has an elite defense so how will the big 3 leaders on offense I mentioned above handle that? That will be interesting to watch. However I am not looking forward to watching Garbers and Sturdivant carve up Cal's pass D, especially since I feel both should be at Cal. I just want the key players to come out of the game healthy enough to play next season.
• Despite all of the crap this year, I am actually looking forward to next season. But we have to get much better coaching and talent on defense immediately.

---

The announcers, like myself, were incensed at the call, until we found out the ruling which they explained later on. Apparently the kick returner must be given a chance to catch the ball, including if he bobbles it and it shoots up in the air. I guess that means it must hit the ground as fumble before it is not interference. Some how sounds logical but a bit ridiculous. We interfered during the bobble and thus the penalty. Interesting. Maybe a rule that needs reviewing.

---

heartofthebear said:

---

OdontoBear66 said:

---

heartofthebear said:

---

I was on the fence about going, but as tickets became scarce, jumped on it, getting 2 tickets way up in section 240. Having had sat there 2 years ago, I was okay with that. Then as forecasts turned sour, I kindof regretted it. After all, staying home would mean being able to also match Goergia-Tennessee, USC-UCLA and Washington-Oregon St. Plus I'm fasting right now, so lunch before the game was out.

But, despite many traffic hassles both ways, including a train delay because a car was on the tracks, I will never miss a Cal game in PA again. Here's my take on Cal, Furd, the game and the future:

• Firstly Palo Alto is absolutely bear territory, at least on big game days at Furd. Cal fans dominated the Stadium, as we did 2 years ago except more so last night.
• Cal fans stomped their feet on 3rd downs making the whole place shake and rumble. While the only thing that Furd did was the PA guy would yell aggressively that it was 3rd down, which, after Cal continued to convert 3rd downs, sounded pretty lame.
• I am so sick of Stanford announcing it is Leland Stanford. I shouted "who the **** cares about his first name" because, yeah, nobody cares--No offense to any Cal fans named Leland.
• Cal plays absolutely their best football at Stanford stadium going back to the Zach Maynard era. Yeah lots of those were losses but they were close losses to Furd team that was far superior in talent.
• I don't like Wilcox as a HC, but he has figured out how to win big games better than most of our recent HCs.
• Mendoza and Ott are going to be a dynamic duo at Cal as long as they are here. Ott is now learning to make even better decisions on inside runs, popping outside when needed. And he usually breaks 2 tackles on each run. Maybe it was just the poor Furd defense, but I think Ott may actually be getting better.
• Mendoza has an elite arm. You heard it here first. It is elite because of the velocity that is still catchable. The ball gets to the receiver very fast. Mendoza is very much like Brock Purdy internally with an even more likeable personality and better leadership skills. Purdy makes better decisions at this point but I think Mendoza may have a better arm. Mendoza needs to sense pressure a bit better, protect himself on runs better and avoid making the risky throw a bit better, although Purdy still makes risky throws too. Mendoza will be in the NFL, which I said before he even took a live snap at Cal.
• What do you think about Ott taking a knee at the 5 with less than 2 minutes left in the game? I have mixed feelings. Selfishly I wanted him to score, which he could have done easily as there was nobody around him. 34-15 would have looked so much better on the scoreboard and it would have more accurately reflected how much Cal dominated that game. But, after my initial dismay, I realized that Ott's decision had iced the game. It's the decision all the broadcasters and coach preach as the right decision, but rarely is it done, especially in college and especially by a young player. When Ott was first interviewed at Cal, something about the way he talked made me think that he was kind of egotistical and narcissistic. That rapidly changed and I have grown to respect him as a young man as well as an elite athlete. But none of that prepared me for what he did last night. He is very intelligent and knows the game situation, maybe even better than his coaches. And he is selfless and a true team player. That act along with Mendoza's play and Spavitol's coaching will give Cal great leadership on offense moving forward. That will help us pull in offensive talent through the portal during the off-season as we still need to bolster our OL and could use better top end talent at WR.
• More mind blowingly bad calls from pac-12 refs in the big game: Why is it that the refs. love Furd so much? But the punt return interference called against Cal in the first quarter last night was completely fabricated. There was nobody within several yards of him. The flag was not throw until very late. That call could have cost Cal the game as, at one point, it was a 6 point game with Furd driving for a score. What is disgusting is that they couldn't review it because it wasn't the fumble recovery that was in dispute. It was the penalty call, which cannot be reviewed. It isn't just that calls are blown, but it is when they are blatantly fabricated that bothers me and this has happened in every single big game for as far back as I can remember in favor of Furd. Having said that, I'm not sure that was targetting on Mendoza, Mendoza was knocked out when his helmet slammed on the ground falling backwards. I didn't see the Furd player hit Mendoza in the head at all.
• This game makes watching next Saturday's game more fun and interesting but I am not very hopeful. Chip Kelly, who somehow has pissed off his employer, is 9-1 against Cal as an HC. And Cal does not have a very good history against UCLA in the rose bowl. Also UCLA has solved their QB problem, which contributed to their losses this season. UCLA has an elite defense so how will the big 3 leaders on offense I mentioned above handle that? That will be interesting to watch. However I am not looking forward to watching Garbers and Sturdivant carve up Cal's pass D, especially since I feel both should be at Cal. I just want the key players to come out of the game healthy enough to play next season.
• Despite all of the crap this year, I am actually looking forward to next season. But we have to get much better coaching and talent on defense immediately.

---

The announcers, like myself, were incensed at the call, until we found out the ruling which they explained later on. Apparently the kick returner must be given a chance to catch the ball, including if he bobbles it and it shoots up in the air. I guess that means it must hit the ground as fumble before it is not interference. Some how sounds logical but a bit ridiculous. We interfered during the bobble and thus the penalty. Interesting. Maybe a rule that needs reviewing.

---

Absolutely. It's another stupid rule. But I guess it's the correct call. It used to be the ball is live once the player touches it. I can't believe they actually changed that. I guess it's to protect from injury.

---

golden sloth said:

---

heartofthebear said:

---

I was on the fence about going, but as tickets became scarce, jumped on it, getting 2 tickets way up in section 240. Having had sat there 2 years ago, I was okay with that. Then as forecasts turned sour, I kindof regretted it. After all, staying home would mean being able to also match Goergia-Tennessee, USC-UCLA and Washington-Oregon St. Plus I'm fasting right now, so lunch before the game was out.

But, despite many traffic hassles both ways, including a train delay because a car was on the tracks, I will never miss a Cal game in PA again. Here's my take on Cal, Furd, the game and the future:

• Firstly Palo Alto is absolutely bear territory, at least on big game days at Furd. Cal fans dominated the Stadium, as we did 2 years ago except more so last night.
• Cal fans stomped their feet on 3rd downs making the whole place shake and rumble. While the only thing that Furd did was the PA guy would yell aggressively that it was 3rd down, which, after Cal continued to convert 3rd downs, sounded pretty lame.
• I am so sick of Stanford announcing it is Leland Stanford. I shouted "who the **** cares about his first name" because, yeah, nobody cares--No offense to any Cal fans named Leland.
• Cal plays absolutely their best football at Stanford stadium going back to the Zach Maynard era. Yeah lots of those were losses but they were close losses to Furd team that was far superior in talent.
• I don't like Wilcox as a HC, but he has figured out how to win big games better than most of our recent HCs.
• Mendoza and Ott are going to be a dynamic duo at Cal as long as they are here. Ott is now learning to make even better decisions on inside runs, popping outside when needed. And he usually breaks 2 tackles on each run. Maybe it was just the poor Furd defense, but I think Ott may actually be getting better.
• Mendoza has an elite arm. You heard it here first. It is elite because of the velocity that is still catchable. The ball gets to the receiver very fast. Mendoza is very much like Brock Purdy internally with an even more likeable personality and better leadership skills. Purdy makes better decisions at this point but I think Mendoza may have a better arm. Mendoza needs to sense pressure a bit better, protect himself on runs better and avoid making the risky throw a bit better, although Purdy still makes risky throws too. Mendoza will be in the NFL, which I said before he even took a live snap at Cal.
• What do you think about Ott taking a knee at the 5 with less than 2 minutes left in the game? I have mixed feelings. Selfishly I wanted him to score, which he could have done easily as there was nobody around him. 34-15 would have looked so much better on the scoreboard and it would have more accurately reflected how much Cal dominated that game. But, after my initial dismay, I realized that Ott's decision had iced the game. It's the decision all the broadcasters and coach preach as the right decision, but rarely is it done, especially in college and especially by a young player. When Ott was first interviewed at Cal, something about the way he talked made me think that he was kind of egotistical and narcissistic. That rapidly changed and I have grown to respect him as a young man as well as an elite athlete. But none of that prepared me for what he did last night. He is very intelligent and knows the game situation, maybe even better than his coaches. And he is selfless and a true team player. That act along with Mendoza's play and Spavitol's coaching will give Cal great leadership on offense moving forward. That will help us pull in offensive talent through the portal during the off-season as we still need to bolster our OL and could use better top end talent at WR.
• More mind blowingly bad calls from pac-12 refs in the big game: Why is it that the refs. love Furd so much? But the punt return interference called against Cal in the first quarter last night was completely fabricated. There was nobody within several yards of him. The flag was not throw until very late. That call could have cost Cal the game as, at one point, it was a 6 point game with Furd driving for a score. What is disgusting is that they couldn't review it because it wasn't the fumble recovery that was in dispute. It was the penalty call, which cannot be reviewed. It isn't just that calls are blown, but it is when they are blatantly fabricated that bothers me and this has happened in every single big game for as far back as I can remember in favor of Furd. Having said that, I'm not sure that was targetting on Mendoza, Mendoza was knocked out when his helmet slammed on the ground falling backwards. I didn't see the Furd player hit Mendoza in the head at all.
• This game makes watching next Saturday's game more fun and interesting but I am not very hopeful. Chip Kelly, who somehow has pissed off his employer, is 9-1 against Cal as an HC. And Cal does not have a very good history against UCLA in the rose bowl. Also UCLA has solved their QB problem, which contributed to their losses this season. UCLA has an elite defense so how will the big 3 leaders on offense I mentioned above handle that? That will be interesting to watch. However I am not looking forward to watching Garbers and Sturdivant carve up Cal's pass D, especially since I feel both should be at Cal. I just want the key players to come out of the game healthy enough to play next season.
• Despite all of the crap this year, I am actually looking forward to next season. But we have to get much better coaching and talent on defense immediately.

---

Regarding the targeting. It absolutely was targeting. Mendoza was running, and never dipped his head, and sinclair made direct helmet to helmet contact. Sinclair deserved to be kicked out. He could have easily hit him in the chest, but instead hit him in the head. Sinclair is a dirty player, and has no business being on the field. **** him.

---

philly1121 said:

---

I'm mixed about the kneel down. I don't think it conveyed a lack of trust. What it did convey was that, once he got through the line, he recognized he had the first down. Whether he scored or not - the game was over. He scores, they have to kick off Special teams goes out there. The defense goes out for one more series. A Stanford touchdown would have made no difference. But injuries would. So, I think its a recognition of the moment, the score. You show a bit of class by not scoring, take the knee, the win, keep the Axe. That's all that mattered.

---

Cal88 said:

---

philly1121 said:

---

I'm mixed about the kneel down. I don't think it conveyed a lack of trust. What it did convey was that, once he got through the line, he recognized he had the first down. Whether he scored or not - the game was over. He scores, they have to kick off Special teams goes out there. The defense goes out for one more series. A Stanford touchdown would have made no difference. But injuries would. So, I think its a recognition of the moment, the score. You show a bit of class by not scoring, take the knee, the win, keep the Axe. That's all that mattered.

---

With a TD score, the game would have either ended on a sack of Daniels or a Cal interception. they might have scored once, but they needed 3 scores, and Daniels is not Elway, or Jim McMahon circa 1980 Holiday Bowl. Our D shut down their best player Elic Ayomanor all game, he had been averaging ~150ypg since midseason, only had 3 receptions for 43 yds yesterday.

---

philly1121 said:

---

With a kneel down - all of what you said might happen - was rendered moot. It was the right call.

---

philly1121 said:

---

With a kneel down - all of what you said might happen - was rendered moot. It was the right call.

---

89Bear said:

---

It is a stupid rule!! So can the returner stand there juggling the ball the rest of the game? What makes the play over?

---

drizzlybear said:

---

NorCalFBFan said:

---

I think that was his third personal foul that game. He had two previous for unnecessary roughness, as I recall. So I agree that, at least for this game, he could fall into the category of "dirty player."

---

Yup. Imagine 45 yards of penalties and ejection from a single player. Wow. He made a few nice tackles but boy did he hurt his team.

---