Looking back at the game, I think the wind had a significant impact on a number of plays. The wind was blowing pretty heavily from the north endzone (Fresno) to the south endzone (Cal). Left to right if watching on TV or from the Cal side of the stadium. Going back and looking at the film, you can see the players' towels flapping in that direction.
Cal's offense had a headwind in the first and third quarters and a tailwind in the second and fourth quarters. Ironically, Cal did most of its scoring going into a headwind.
Anyway, here are some of the plays from the game that looked to be affected by the wind.
1. Maynard's first completion to Allen in the 1st quarter that seemed to just hang up in the air.
2. Maynard's completion to Allen into double coverage that also seemed to hang a bit.
3. Maynard's TD pass to Jones that hung a bit and allowed the defender to at least attempt a tackle.
4. Maynard's pass attempt to Allen that appeared underthrown and allowed Allen to draw a PI call from the Fresno defender.
5. Maynard's overthrow of Deboskie on the fake screen was probably right on the money but for the tailwind.
6. The depth of FSU's kickoffs in the first and third quarters (to 5 deep, 7 yd line, 11 yd ln)
7. The lack of depth of Giorgio's kickoffs (23, 7, 10, 7, 14, 17) in the 1st and 3rd quarters. Actually, his kickoffs to the 7 yard line are pretty impressive given the headwind. His only kickoff with a tailwind was in the 4th quarter and went to the FSU 3 yd line.
8. Giorgio's 40 yard field goal make had a tailwind.
9. Carr's overthrow that resulted in the Steve Williams INT was with a tailwind.
10. FSU's missed field goal in the 2nd quarter was into a headwind.
11. Giorgio's missed PATs were into a headwind. (This one is probably a stretch, but perhaps Giorgio subconsciously kicked them flatter accounting for the headwind.)
12. Allen's muffed punt return was when there was a tailwind. He probably misjudged the ball because it was being blown away from him.
Realizing the above helped alleviate some concerns I had after the game: Maynard's arm strength/accuracy, Allen's ability to secure punts, and Giorgio's kickoffs.
Not sure if the wind had any affect on Anger's punts. It seemed as though he just punted poorly in the 1st half and better in the 2nd half, regardless of wind. I believe Genyk employed the rugby style kick even when there was a tailwind. I could be wrong.
Cal's offense had a headwind in the first and third quarters and a tailwind in the second and fourth quarters. Ironically, Cal did most of its scoring going into a headwind.
Anyway, here are some of the plays from the game that looked to be affected by the wind.
1. Maynard's first completion to Allen in the 1st quarter that seemed to just hang up in the air.
2. Maynard's completion to Allen into double coverage that also seemed to hang a bit.
3. Maynard's TD pass to Jones that hung a bit and allowed the defender to at least attempt a tackle.
4. Maynard's pass attempt to Allen that appeared underthrown and allowed Allen to draw a PI call from the Fresno defender.
5. Maynard's overthrow of Deboskie on the fake screen was probably right on the money but for the tailwind.
6. The depth of FSU's kickoffs in the first and third quarters (to 5 deep, 7 yd line, 11 yd ln)
7. The lack of depth of Giorgio's kickoffs (23, 7, 10, 7, 14, 17) in the 1st and 3rd quarters. Actually, his kickoffs to the 7 yard line are pretty impressive given the headwind. His only kickoff with a tailwind was in the 4th quarter and went to the FSU 3 yd line.
8. Giorgio's 40 yard field goal make had a tailwind.
9. Carr's overthrow that resulted in the Steve Williams INT was with a tailwind.
10. FSU's missed field goal in the 2nd quarter was into a headwind.
11. Giorgio's missed PATs were into a headwind. (This one is probably a stretch, but perhaps Giorgio subconsciously kicked them flatter accounting for the headwind.)
12. Allen's muffed punt return was when there was a tailwind. He probably misjudged the ball because it was being blown away from him.
Realizing the above helped alleviate some concerns I had after the game: Maynard's arm strength/accuracy, Allen's ability to secure punts, and Giorgio's kickoffs.
Not sure if the wind had any affect on Anger's punts. It seemed as though he just punted poorly in the 1st half and better in the 2nd half, regardless of wind. I believe Genyk employed the rugby style kick even when there was a tailwind. I could be wrong.