Posted on the premium board, but also wanted to post here for more discussion. What a dub!! LETS GOOOOOO!!!! Hats off to Wilcox and the boys. They went in there and were the clearly better team. This is the type of win that builds a lot of confidence. Not a perfect game by any means but way to go there and take it. Hope everyone who traveled had a blast. Thoughts:

- Nando is a gamer and the QB battle is (obviously) over. Hope he is okay and can recover for next week

- By the same token, I think that we have our guy that we can invest in and build around. He looked like not just a game manager but a game winner out there today

- Credit to Sirmon for rallying the defense after a poor opening. This is the type of performance that earns you trust

- What a day from Teddye Buchannan and the defense between the pressure & picks. Thorne is a bad QB but we really took it to them. Takers 2.0!!

- Nyziah Hunter looks WAY better than the other Hunter (how'd he do again last week?)

- The run game looked rough today but I don't blame it so much on Ott (who was clearly not 100%) but instead the OL struggled with opening up space, plus I didn't love the repeated runs through the A-gap

- One thing that has to get cleaned up is the center situation. Absolutely horrific snaps. Continual issues with pre-snap movement. I know we're on our third string but we cannot make these mistakes. I trust Bloesch to clean it up, and I doubt he's happy with it

- Funny enough, I actually thought for once we were getting the benefit of reffing through the first 3 quarters. Then of course everything had to go awry with the insane calls in the 4th quarter. Thankfully we should comfortably win the SD St game even with Harris out for targeting in the first half.

Overall, what a day!! This is the type of performance we all hoped to see- we are officially on the map! Going into SEC territory and beating a team predicted to be pretty good really helps open eyeballs. Let's build on this and enter the Miami game 4-0!!

Thoughts?

eastcoastcal said:

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Posted on the premium board, but also wanted to post here for more discussion. What a dub!! LETS GOOOOOO!!!! Hats off to Wilcox and the boys. They went in there and were the clearly better team. This is the type of win that builds a lot of confidence. Not a perfect game by any means but way to go there and take it. Hope everyone who traveled had a blast. Thoughts:

- Nando is a gamer and the QB battle is (obviously) over. Hope he is okay and can recover for next week

- By the same token, I think that we have our guy that we can invest in and build around. He looked like not just a game manager but a game winner out there today

- Credit to Sirmon for rallying the defense after a poor opening. This is the type of performance that earns you trust

- What a day from Teddye Buchannan and the defense between the pressure & picks. Thorne is a bad QB but we really took it to them. Takers 2.0!!

- Nyziah Hunter looks WAY better than the other Hunter (how'd he do again last week?)

- The run game looked rough today but I don't blame it so much on Ott (who was clearly not 100%) but instead the OL struggled with opening up space, plus I didn't love the repeated runs through the A-gap

- One thing that has to get cleaned up is the center situation. Absolutely horrific snaps. Continual issues with pre-snap movement. I know we're on our third string but we cannot make these mistakes. I trust Bloesch to clean it up, and I doubt he's happy with it

- Funny enough, I actually thought for once we were getting the benefit of reffing through the first 3 quarters. Then of course everything had to go awry with the insane calls in the 4th quarter. Thankfully we should comfortably win the SD St game even with Harris out for targeting in the first half.

Overall, what a day!! This is the type of performance we all hoped to see- we are officially on the map! Going into SEC territory and beating a team predicted to be pretty good really helps open eyeballs. Let's build on this and enter the Miami game 4-0!!

Thoughts?

---

We have got to FIRE SIRMON.
Imagine allowing Auburn to score two TD's ;-)

Go Bears! Auburn is now Bear Territory🐻! @CalFootball

— Chase Garbers (@ChaseGarbers) September 7, 2024

YOU ALREADY KNOW #GoBears | #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/Vg1deMsBLf

— Cal Football (@CalFootball) September 7, 2024

That was one of the most complete Cal wins I remember seeing. We had plenty of opportunities to fold, but the defense absolutely stepped up and the offense did just enough.

We got really lucky that neither of Mendoza's outside throws late in the game got picked for a defensive TD. Mendoza has no fear of making throws in tight windows - he was lucky to not be picked today. But, he is an absolute baller and I was so happy to see him get off the field on his own power. I am not sure he should have played again, but the training staff obviously was sure he was good to go.

Our defense started the game like we played the first half last week - bend, but don't break, and give up multiple 3rd and longs. And then, BOOM, they brought the hammer.

A previous Wilcox team would have found a way to lose this game. Credit to the young men and the coaching staff for pulling off this big upset on the road.

And now they know the whole damn world is Bear Territory https://t.co/rAZrT7t17t

— Anthony Silva (@anthonysilva77) September 7, 2024

Auburn. Bear Territory. pic.twitter.com/1TOYXycXcj

— Avinash Kunnath (@avinashkunnath) September 7, 2024

What a fun game! Easily the best game of Wilcox's tenure: a win on the road against an SEC power (admittedly not at the level of its former greatness). Really happy for the team and for Bear Territory.

I hate to be an Eeyore, but this win means a whole lot less if we screw the pooch against the Aztecs. I want to believe, I really do! But, Cal fan, so. . .

eastcoastcal said:

---

Posted on the premium board, but also wanted to post here for more discussion. What a dub!! LETS GOOOOOO!!!! Hats off to Wilcox and the boys. They went in there and were the clearly better team. This is the type of win that builds a lot of confidence. Not a perfect game by any means but way to go there and take it. Hope everyone who traveled had a blast. Thoughts:

- Nando is a gamer and the QB battle is (obviously) over. Hope he is okay and can recover for next week

- By the same token, I think that we have our guy that we can invest in and build around. He looked like not just a game manager but a game winner out there today

- Credit to Sirmon for rallying the defense after a poor opening. This is the type of performance that earns you trust

- What a day from Teddye Buchannan and the defense between the pressure & picks. Thorne is a bad QB but we really took it to them. Takers 2.0!!

- Nyziah Hunter looks WAY better than the other Hunter (how'd he do again last week?)

- The run game looked rough today but I don't blame it so much on Ott (who was clearly not 100%) but instead the OL struggled with opening up space, plus I didn't love the repeated runs through the A-gap

- One thing that has to get cleaned up is the center situation. Absolutely horrific snaps. Continual issues with pre-snap movement. I know we're on our third string but we cannot make these mistakes. I trust Bloesch to clean it up, and I doubt he's happy with it

- Funny enough, I actually thought for once we were getting the benefit of reffing through the first 3 quarters. Then of course everything had to go awry with the insane calls in the 4th quarter. Thankfully we should comfortably win the SD St game even with Harris out for targeting in the first half.

Overall, what a day!! This is the type of performance we all hoped to see- we are officially on the map! Going into SEC territory and beating a team predicted to be pretty good really helps open eyeballs. Let's build on this and enter the Miami game 4-0!!

Thoughts?

---

agree with every single point here. So happy for Nyziah Hunter, and Nando is just an absolute winner. His second TD to hunter was a scrambe play, as is a lot of the plays to extend drives on 3rd and long. Hopefully Bloesch provides a safe environment to allow for Nando to create on his own within reason (Johnny Manziel anyone?)

Defense was absolutely dominating, reminded me of our home win vs UW in 2017? Or was it 2018 when weaver took back a pick 6 to the house. If we can keep up this defense we will make some noise.

Not so worried about the offense. Talent wise this D line we played against will be one of the best. We held our own (somewhat) with our third string players. I actually think the playing time is going to pay dividends down the road. It's good to get game time reps, not play perfect, and still win. That's how u build a winner


This is the best Cal win under Wilcox since probably Ole Miss in 2019, maybe UW 2019 the lightning game. Just absolute complete win that makes u feel warm and fuzzy afterwards

https://www.secrant.com/rant/auburn-sports/thorne-4-ints-14-vs-cal--stinking-arse-hippie-bears-21-official-game-thread/114832916/

Enjoy Cal fans

Finals team stats from Cal's 21-14 win over Auburn pic.twitter.com/ts23xKdZI3

— Cal Rivals (@CalRivals) September 7, 2024

Cal must be leading the nation in turnover differential.

eastcoastcal said:

---

Posted on the premium board, but also wanted to post here for more discussion. What a dub!! LETS GOOOOOO!!!! Hats off to Wilcox and the boys. They went in there and were the clearly better team. This is the type of win that builds a lot of confidence. Not a perfect game by any means but way to go there and take it. Hope everyone who traveled had a blast. Thoughts:

- Nando is a gamer and the QB battle is (obviously) over. Hope he is okay and can recover for next week

- By the same token, I think that we have our guy that we can invest in and build around. He looked like not just a game manager but a game winner out there today

- Credit to Sirmon for rallying the defense after a poor opening. This is the type of performance that earns you trust

- What a day from Teddye Buchannan and the defense between the pressure & picks. Thorne is a bad QB but we really took it to them. Takers 2.0!!

- Nyziah Hunter looks WAY better than the other Hunter (how'd he do again last week?)

- The run game looked rough today but I don't blame it so much on Ott (who was clearly not 100%) but instead the OL struggled with opening up space, plus I didn't love the repeated runs through the A-gap

- One thing that has to get cleaned up is the center situation. Absolutely horrific snaps. Continual issues with pre-snap movement. I know we're on our third string but we cannot make these mistakes. I trust Bloesch to clean it up, and I doubt he's happy with it

- Funny enough, I actually thought for once we were getting the benefit of reffing through the first 3 quarters. Then of course everything had to go awry with the insane calls in the 4th quarter. Thankfully we should comfortably win the SD St game even with Harris out for targeting in the first half.

Overall, what a day!! This is the type of performance we all hoped to see- we are officially on the map! Going into SEC territory and beating a team predicted to be pretty good really helps open eyeballs. Let's build on this and enter the Miami game 4-0!!

Thoughts?

---

I am too emotionally exhausted to elaborate further, but I agree with all you wrote.
Speaking of the refs, anybody know what conference they're with? ACC?
It would make sense.
It was ACC that made the Immaculate Encroachment call.

Wow, doing Jedi Mind Tricks is tiresome work.

Damn, I have to post this a third time since I'm overexcited and mine was a booth? Alright then, here goes.

Postgame quick hitters:

- I feel bad for Marcus Harris but if there's a game to miss the first half it's SDSU. It's early but he and Nohl are looking like All-ACC CBs

- Thank God Fernando is OK. The way he went down with no contact and his reaction made it look like an Achilles. Instead he'll probably just be sore and maybe not practice this week. If we have to start Chandler I'm OK with it

- WR room looks so good. Remember, we're still missing Tobias and Kyion (two presumed starters)

- Defense is finally back! The pass rush still worries me but Reese back healthy should alleviate a good chunk of that

- OL was solid at run blocking last year and terrible at pass blocking. This year it's the opposite. The run blocking should get sorted because it's easier to progress at that through the season and Sioape (our best OL) and McDonald are coming back at some point

- Fernando looks like he's taken a big leap forward. If he keeps this up we could be a sneaky ACC contender

- 2-0 is 2-0! Room for growth but not many predicted that preseason or after week 1. Enjoy it Bear fans!

WAR OSKI

OSKI OSKI WAR WAR (honestly thats a song/ chant that could use some modernized updating....)

• Mendoza showed us why he deserves to be QB1. That first half performance is the best we've seen of him and from a Cal QB in some time. And it was away, in SEC territory, with 88k people filling that stadium.
• Ott being less of a factor is somewhat surprising in that we expect a lot from him. At the same time, it's not so surprising that getting rushing yards with our OL against their DL would be tough.
• I thought Coe would have a better day.
• Teddye Buchanan was an absolute playmaker out there. Defensive player of the week, for sure.
• General kudos to the DL and LB's for getting pressure on Thorne which I thought was key in generating some of the turnovers.
• Refs were ****, especially that last PI that ended up with an Auburn TD. Absolute garbage.

I'm a little excited to see how our Bears will do when at full strength.

This was captured by Auburn student newspaper's sports editor.

Cal HC Justin Wilcox running off the field following the Golden Bear’s 21-14 win over Auburn. pic.twitter.com/LvTRKrIlD0

— Patrick Bingham (@PatrickABingham) September 7, 2024

okaydo said:

---

This was captured by Auburn student newspaper's sports editor.

Cal HC Justin Wilcox running off the field following the Golden Bear’s 21-14 win over Auburn. pic.twitter.com/LvTRKrIlD0

— Patrick Bingham (@PatrickABingham) September 7, 2024

---

Great to see him genuinely pumped.

Shoutouts to Chandler Rogers for coming in and getting a first down. Given all the bad snaps that could have been really bad but he handle the situation as a pro.

freshfunk said:

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• Mendoza showed us why he deserves to be QB1. That first half performance is the best we've seen of him and from a Cal QB in some time. And it was away, in SEC territory, with 88k people filling that stadium.
• Ott being less of a factor is somewhat surprising in that we expect a lot from him. At the same time, it's not so surprising that getting rushing yards with our OL against their DL would be tough.
• I thought Coe would have a better day.
• Teddye Buchanan was an absolute playmaker out there. Defensive player of the week, for sure.
• General kudos to the DL and LB's for getting pressure on Thorne which I thought was key in generating some of the turnovers.
• Refs were ****, especially that last PI that ended up with an Auburn TD. Absolute garbage.

---

I think Mendoza in the first half is the best half I've seen from a Cal quarterback since Goff.

Took about 30 minutes for my blood pressure return to normal.

okaydo said:

---

This was captured by Auburn student newspaper's sports editor.

Cal HC Justin Wilcox running off the field following the Golden Bear’s 21-14 win over Auburn. pic.twitter.com/LvTRKrIlD0

— Patrick Bingham (@PatrickABingham) September 7, 2024

---

We saw that from the stands. Never seen Wilcox so animated!

Thanks for that! Read a few of the posts and they're pretty funny.

My favorite so far: "That goal post upright played our best defense all day."

GO BEARS!!

okaydo said:

---

This was captured by Auburn student newspaper's sports editor.

Cal HC Justin Wilcox running off the field following the Golden Bear’s 21-14 win over Auburn. pic.twitter.com/LvTRKrIlD0

— Patrick Bingham (@PatrickABingham) September 7, 2024

---

That is so friggin' awesome!!!

The entire SEC should be embarrassed that CAL FOOTBALL just walked into the state of Alabama and dismantled Auburn

Thorne just go ahead and change numbers you’re embarrassing the legacy of number 1#Auburn #Cal pic.twitter.com/1hr0DiYcgH

— Alex Monaco (@Alex__Monaco) September 7, 2024

Love the end of this lol!

GoOskie said:

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I'm a little excited to see how our Bears will do when at full strength.

---

When will that be?!?! My gosh four starters out on offense and Ott clearly not 100%. Hope some guys are close to returning. Was hoping the two offensive lineman and WRs were held out of UC Davis just for precaution. Now I am more worried.

Oh yeah - how about some love for The Jet!!! Some tough runs and the game winning TD!

Was watching the late game halftime shows, and they only covered the ranked teams. No mention of Cal's win. That is disappointing.

Who needs a run game when you're +5 in turnovers??

Seriously, we can't count on that every week. We've got to find a way to open holes for Ott.

Auburn fans were awesome. We got a dozen "good game/thanks for coming/safe travels " just walking from the stadium to the car.

golden sloth said:

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Was watching the late game halftime shows, and they only covered the ranked teams. No mention of Cal's win. That is disappointing.

---

ESPN GameDay "previewed" the game but literally only talked about how good Auburn is. Didn't say a word about Cal.
Ha ha. Suck it, ESPN.

golden sloth said:

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freshfunk said:

---

• Mendoza showed us why he deserves to be QB1. That first half performance is the best we've seen of him and from a Cal QB in some time. And it was away, in SEC territory, with 88k people filling that stadium.
• Ott being less of a factor is somewhat surprising in that we expect a lot from him. At the same time, it's not so surprising that getting rushing yards with our OL against their DL would be tough.
• I thought Coe would have a better day.
• Teddye Buchanan was an absolute playmaker out there. Defensive player of the week, for sure.
• General kudos to the DL and LB's for getting pressure on Thorne which I thought was key in generating some of the turnovers.
• Refs were ****, especially that last PI that ended up with an Auburn TD. Absolute garbage.

---

I think Mendoza in the first half is the best half I've seen from a Cal quarterback since Goff.

---

For awhile there I was wondering if Mendoza was going to challenge Rodger's consecutive completion record, which was also similarly in a very big game.

Grrrrah76 said:

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Took about 30 minutes for my blood pressure return to normal.

---

I only watched the 4th quarter. I actually did check my blood pressure. I thought I'd be higher. 126/78.

JSC 76 said:

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Who needs a run game when you're +5 in turnovers??

Seriously, we can't count on that every week. We've got to find a way to open holes for Ott.

Auburn fans were awesome. We got a dozen "good game/thanks for coming/safe travels " just walking from the stadium to the car.

---

We need to get Ott back to full speed and run Ott and The Jet outside the tackles and run play action with passes to the TEs so much that defenses stop crashing the LOS when we fake to him and actually give it to him.

It just means more. #GoBears | #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/rqa06aPFXJ

— Cal Football (@CalFootball) September 7, 2024

Some grade A stuff from Cal social media
https://itjustmeansmore.com/

ThaCaliEnigma said:

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https://www.secrant.com/rant/auburn-sports/thorne-4-ints-14-vs-cal--stinking-arse-hippie-bears-21-official-game-thread/114832916/

Enjoy Cal fans

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Oh, the Auburn boards are burning. Sounds like ours have in the past! Nice to have the shoe on the other foot and not adverse to mocking the Tigers after how they went after Oski!!

My only thought: FGs must be automatic