Cal Football Wednesday Practice Report

Following today's practice preparation for Saturday's Senior Day showdown vs. Colorado, Head Coach Justin Wilcox and defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter spoke with the press.

Takeaways from today’s media session:

HC Justin Wilcox

• On Colorados significant drop off after losing 6 in a row: “I wouldn’t say it stopped working. They won their first five. It wasn’t like the last 6 they have played bad the whole game, they just had a few plays here or there that didn’t go as they planned. They are moving the ball on offense and making plays on defense, and the game of football can be tricky that way sometimes, and we know what they are capable of doing. We have great respect for them, and we know they are going to come in here with everything they got playing for a bowl game.”
• On how well Beau Baldwin has done adjusting his offense when working with that good of a defense: “You are always growing as a team and when you come into a season thinking you are going to lean on this, that, and the other and as the season goes on you start to take an identity where what's best for this team. I think each year is a little different, and you're always evolving, and your team takes on a new identity. I think you want to lean on who you are, and what gives you the best chance to win.”
• On Colorado being a trap game: "We approach them all the same. I know you probably get tired of us saying that, but it's true — just the way we do things, regarding practice, meetings, and preparation. What people say outside the building doesn’t impact us. I'm not worried about our team's mentality, we have had as good a week of practice as we have all year. Does that mean we are going to play perfectly? I don’t know, I hope so, but it won't be from lack of effort and focus. The guys will be ready to play, and that has everything to do with their mentality and the character of the team.”
• On adjusting the schedule for tomorrow: “Well for some of the lineman it’s a huge day, so we base the schedule of the O and D line and make sure we ask them when we can meet and practice... We are going to meet early, starting at 8 and we are doing a one hour walk through. A lot of people have family here, and if they do not, we got guys everywhere. They are with their buddies; they are with their families, they are with coaches, everybody is doing an afternoon thanksgiving and probably going to watch some football.”

DC Tim DeRuyter

• On how this team is doing mentally facing what could be a trap game after Colorado losing six straight: “If you go through the first five weeks they are playing as well as anybody in the top-20 in the country. They are playing Washington right down to the wire and USC right down to the wire. Sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce your way, and we saw some of that last year. Look at this year, for us; we are winning some of those close games and a year ago we didn’t. I don’t think that  changes  that we are playing a talented team that’s well coached.”
• On Colorados quarterback: “I think he has made tremendous strides this year. He is a big, athletic guy; he can hurt you in the run game. He is a guy with a big arm, and throws a nice deep ball where he gives his guys a chance to catch it. We know he is a dangerous threat and I think he is one of the top quarterbacks in our conference.”