On my drive home tonight, thinking of how impressive I expect the Bears D to be this year, I remember the ASU game. End of year game, our D should have been peaking and we couldn't stop them. Any expert opinions on why and should we expect similar difficulties this fall?

1) Stefan McClure tore his ACL and forced Kam Jackson into spot duty
2) Neither safety played particularly well
3) No pass rush [I don't remember us sacking Osweiler very much]

With both starting corners back and Hill at S, as well as continued improvement from the OLB core...I don't anticipate we'll be bad next year.

NJCalFan;841899944 said:

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On my drive home tonight, thinking of how impressive I expect the Bears D to be this year, I remember the ASU game. End of year game, our D should have been peaking and we couldn't stop them. Any expert opinions on why and should we expect similar difficulties this fall?

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At least 2 of ASU's scores came on breakdowns late in the 1st half. Other than that the Cal D was instrumental in forcing ASU into turnovers late in the game that helped Cal seal the win. In other words, the D was better than the score indicated. However, Pendergast has to stop allowing opposing teams to make long scoring passing plays against our DBs in key situations late in games or in halves. I hope we don't see this for a third year in a row and that, instead, every DB and D coach has taken it to heart to spend the offseason doing whatever is necessary so that our D comes into the season with a different identity. The fact that Cal had the number 1 D in the conference last year is misleading because those stats are based on averages. Averages are a very poor assessment tool, especially when you have a defense as inconsistent as Cal's was last year.

i believe ... i have watched that game over 20 times.... most impressive to me was the stiff arm by marivn jones on the az st db and also trucking isi put on another db ... love it !!!!who said pac 12 players were soft


and craig james missing the call on mclure he needed to be fired

BlueAndGold;841899946 said:

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1) Stefan McClure tore his ACL and forced Kam Jackson into spot duty
2) Neither safety played particularly well
3) No pass rush [I don't remember us sacking Osweiler very much]

With both starting corners back and Hill at S, as well as continued improvement from the OLB core...I don't anticipate we'll be bad next year.

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I agree with your points, particularly #3. Felt like Osweiller had all the time he needed. We need more DL penetration and a savage OLB like Scarlett to put pressure on the QBs. Not to mention this will make it easier for our DBs, which seems to be a weakness (or at least an uncertainty) at the moment.

I just know that the offense worked well because Maynard used the TEs underneath more than any other game which opened the deep passing game, best overall balance of any game last year on offense.

at least the refs made the same fumble reversal on both the Miller and ASU's RB's fumble.

Combination of a few things.

1. Defense playing flat after coming off strong against the Furd. Probably feeling the let down from that close game

2. McClure getting injured

3. Offense not on the field for a long time. We scored pretty fast that game

4. Osweiler was having a good night

Also, ASU was very good on offense at home last year. They ranked #3 in the conference in Pts/gm and #2 in Yards/gm at home.

Bear_Territory;841900748 said:

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3. Offense not on the field for a long time. We scored pretty fast that game

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It was relatively even. ASU had a slight advantage of plays on offense, 69 vs 66. Cal led time of possession 33 min to 27 min.

burritos;841900742 said:

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at least the refs made the same fumble reversal on both the Miller and ASU's RB's fumble.

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When did Miller fumble?