Well, at least that's what the scoreboard said at the end of the match (why oh why, when they put new scoreboards in Witter Field, didn't they add the capacity for a third digit on Cal's side of the board?)
Due to several factors, I missed the first 6 minutes of the game, but when I arrived Cal led 7-0, and by the time I sat down we were ahead 10-0. At first glance I thought PSU would be a tougher opponent than some of our previous games because we faced players who looked to be the same size as ours. But the extra weight availed them not at all. Although the lineouts were basically even, Cal tended to dominate in the scrums, and our boys were faster on the field. We had a few bobbled balls, but played some of the best defense I've seen. In the first half PSU was deep in our territory and had two or three separate chances to score a try, but our lads kept them out. At halftime we were up 52-0, and Cal scored a try in the last minute to reach 98-0. The try was in the center of the field, so Cal easily made the conversion kick for the final two points, giving us 00 at the end of the game. Unlike the Arizona game, a LOT of our first half tries were down the middle of the field, giving our fullback, Jake Anderson rather easy conversion kicks. Late in the game most of our tries were made out to the sides, and predictably our successful conversion attempts declined.
Anderson also made a GREAT catch after a PSU kick- the ball was headed for touch, but he was on the sideline and reached over to grab the ball - a fantastic grab. Unfortunately, a few minutes later he attempted a pass, but he got fancy, throwing the ball behind his body, and the ball went forward for a knock-on. Oh well, easy come, easy go. But the play of the game, IMO, was halfway in the 2nd period, when PSU had the ball in our territory. One player lateraled it back and their receiver bobbled it. One of our players burst in on the loose ball, kicked it down field about 20 meters and then ran down and grabbed it. I can't remember if he scored or not, but it was a thing of beauty and a joy forever.
The one thing that stands out among everything else though is Cal's defense. Our boys get to the ball FAST and they tackle well. Over and over I saw the same thing: the opponent has the ball and when a player laterals it back, a Cal player is ready to tackle the receiver before he can advance very far. In this way, there were several drives by PSU that consistently went backwards over several passes.
Regrettably, another of our players suffered a serious injury. I think it was our wing, but I'm not certain. So twice within the space of 3 days I had the dreary task of watching a Cal player taken off the field in a stretcher and Berkeley FD come up to take him to hospital.
Overall, I have never seen Cal look so strong in all parts of the game, and never have I seen Cal reach the century mark in 4 games (and the season is only about 1/2 way through). Unless we lose a slew of more players to injury, I think Cal is definitely on track for another NC. I don't see how any other collegiate team could possibly keep up with the Bears.
Due to several factors, I missed the first 6 minutes of the game, but when I arrived Cal led 7-0, and by the time I sat down we were ahead 10-0. At first glance I thought PSU would be a tougher opponent than some of our previous games because we faced players who looked to be the same size as ours. But the extra weight availed them not at all. Although the lineouts were basically even, Cal tended to dominate in the scrums, and our boys were faster on the field. We had a few bobbled balls, but played some of the best defense I've seen. In the first half PSU was deep in our territory and had two or three separate chances to score a try, but our lads kept them out. At halftime we were up 52-0, and Cal scored a try in the last minute to reach 98-0. The try was in the center of the field, so Cal easily made the conversion kick for the final two points, giving us 00 at the end of the game. Unlike the Arizona game, a LOT of our first half tries were down the middle of the field, giving our fullback, Jake Anderson rather easy conversion kicks. Late in the game most of our tries were made out to the sides, and predictably our successful conversion attempts declined.
Anderson also made a GREAT catch after a PSU kick- the ball was headed for touch, but he was on the sideline and reached over to grab the ball - a fantastic grab. Unfortunately, a few minutes later he attempted a pass, but he got fancy, throwing the ball behind his body, and the ball went forward for a knock-on. Oh well, easy come, easy go. But the play of the game, IMO, was halfway in the 2nd period, when PSU had the ball in our territory. One player lateraled it back and their receiver bobbled it. One of our players burst in on the loose ball, kicked it down field about 20 meters and then ran down and grabbed it. I can't remember if he scored or not, but it was a thing of beauty and a joy forever.
The one thing that stands out among everything else though is Cal's defense. Our boys get to the ball FAST and they tackle well. Over and over I saw the same thing: the opponent has the ball and when a player laterals it back, a Cal player is ready to tackle the receiver before he can advance very far. In this way, there were several drives by PSU that consistently went backwards over several passes.
Regrettably, another of our players suffered a serious injury. I think it was our wing, but I'm not certain. So twice within the space of 3 days I had the dreary task of watching a Cal player taken off the field in a stretcher and Berkeley FD come up to take him to hospital.
Overall, I have never seen Cal look so strong in all parts of the game, and never have I seen Cal reach the century mark in 4 games (and the season is only about 1/2 way through). Unless we lose a slew of more players to injury, I think Cal is definitely on track for another NC. I don't see how any other collegiate team could possibly keep up with the Bears.