Tuesday Presser: Lupoi, Somerville, Hutchings, King and Mothudi Take the Mic
The Bears (2-1/1-0) head into a game Friday night that’s been circled on many fans’ calendars since the 7:30 pm showdown was announced.
As usual, head coach Tosh Lupoi started his weekly press conference comments with an exhortation to fans to make Memorial Stadium a destination this Friday.
“Got an awesome opportunity ahead of us here on Friday night,” Lupoi said. “So, anticipating and praying that this will be another sold-out stadium. So if you have any plans on Friday night other than coming to the Cal game, please cancel them. And once you're here, get this environment rocking and celebrate our players that have been working so hard and committing to our mission and culture.
“Really good opponent. A lot of NFL players on that team, and I’ve got tremendous respect for Coach Dabo and faced him on multiple occasions. (He’s played in) national championships in the past, and playoffs, and (I’ve) got a lot of respect for him and his organization, and how he carries himself as a man and a coach. So super fired up about this opportunity ahead, and excited.
“So that's our goal, just to continue to grow. But can't stress enough the advantage and the importance of everybody in the Bay Area coming out Friday night for the 7:35 kick and being here and being in your seats at kickoff. No matter what age you are, you're invited.”
Following Friday night’s game, there will be a doubleheader of prep games at Memorial, with high school players gracing Memorial Stadium for the first time in almost 24 years as Lupoi and defensive coordinator Michael Hutchings’ former team, De La Salle, facing off with national powerhouse Corona Centennial in the opener at 2 pm.
“It's on my calendar for sure,” Hutchings said. “You know, obviously, always want to support those guys. Big high school matchup, North and South. So I think it's big for us to be able to host that for sure. Always want to represent the alma mater and support them. But also, Centennial is great, too. Have good relationships with those guys. I played against Centennial in the state championship as a senior, so. They always have great talent and guys on our team as well are from there. So support of both sides, and obviously hope that De La Salle comes out with a one-point victory.”
Hutchings was asked about young Clemson QB Tait Reynolds and if the Bears are likely to dial up a high level of pressure on him like they did to rattle Syracuse QB into three interceptions in the Bears’ 21-18 victory in game two.
“I think as a philosophy, you always want to want to rattle any quarterback if you can,” Hutchings noted. “But whatever fits in the game plan, we'll see on Friday. Kind of what they're what they're bringing to the park.
“We always want to stay aggressive. We are always going to let it rip with the play calling, but at the same time, being calculated, being precise with what we want to do and get accomplished, and whatever puts us in the best position to win is how we'll attack it as the game goes on Friday.”
In his four games as starter after taking over for QB Christopher Vizinna, Reynolds has completed 40-of-62 passes (64.5%) for 415 yards and one TD along with one interception. He’s taken eight sacks so far this season.
On the offensive side of the ball, offensive coordinator Jordan Somerville made it clear that early down efficiency has been lacking thus far in the Bears’ first three games and that’s something they’re hoping to remedy to assist in stringing together efficient drives on Friday.
“I think the biggest thing again is just staying efficient on first and second down,” the OC said. “Obviously, week one, (we) put together some long drives. Week two inefficiency on first and second down, and then last week, we had our moments of being explosive with the ball in our hands, specifically on the perimeter. But again, it goes back down to first and second down efficiency.”
