Cal general manager Ron Rivera knows how important it is for the Golden Bears to seize the moment in Week 1 against UCLA.
Primetime ESPN matchups at a tarp-less Memorial Stadium don’t grow on trees.
“Just the fact that we're playing UCLA again, I think that's huge for both universities,” Rivera said Wednesday. “They’re one of our natural rivals; we're going to rekindle that, and hopefully we can keep it going kind of like we do with Stanford, but it's one of those natural things that you want to see. It's a big deal for a lot of the LA kids that come up here and play.
“I think the statement that it can make for the program is that we’ve done the things that we want to do, [and] we’re continuing to get better. Whether you win or lose, how we react to it is also a statement … No matter what happens, more than anything else, we're going to gain from it; that’s for sure.”
Rivera also knows that the upcoming Cal-UCLA matchup will be different from years past.
Besides the Golden Bears and Bruins representing the ACC and Big Ten, respectively, a former NFL player will be taking the field for UCLA: linebacker Trent Hendrick.
Hendrick, who starred at James Madison as the 2025 Sun Belt player of the year under now-Bruins coach Bob Chesney, is one of several NCAA players who exhausted their eligibility, unsuccessfully pursued spots in the NFL, and are now back at the collegiate level thanks to a temporary restraining order in Louisiana.
Rivera wasn’t thrilled when asked about NFL players — like Hendrick, who transferred to UCLA after partaking in rookie minicamps with the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs — returning to college.
“I’m not a fan of it,” Rivera said. “When somebody makes a decision (and) goes in a certain direction … they've made their decision. I'm not sure it's a good message when you allow, ‘Oh, I'm going to change my mind.’ … We got to make sure that people understand you sign contracts … make deals … come into agreements; you're supposed to hold true.”
“I'm disappointed that you know, people are looking for ways to cheat the system,” Rivera added. “How long are we going to allow guys to come back and play college sports — until they’re 30? … High school recruiting isn't what it used to be.”
Well, facing former professionals or not, Rivera is optimistic about Cal’s chances against UCLA.
First-year head coach Tosh Lupoi and his staff have relentlessly laid an enthusiastic foundation in Berkeley that has done nothing but attract attention and support, with countless wins in the transfer portal, on social media and in funding.
“You have a guy that wants it and wants it now,” Rivera said of Lupoi.
And between the sidelines, quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele appears ready to tell the whole damn world about what the Golden Bears’ revamped roster is capable of.
“I think (offensive coordinator Jordan Somerville) is doing a terrific job with the offense and putting it in,” Rivera said. “But also having some of the new coaches come in … as always Coach Rolovich is there … Jaron’s really soaking it up.”
All that’s left for the original Blue and Gold is to put its money where its mouth is, against the Bruins who, ironically, appear as rejuvenated as Cal entering Week 1.
“I'm impressed, I really am,” Rivera said of his Golden Bears. “There is a different vibe, a different feel. First and foremost, it's the energy level. When we first started training camp, a lot of people were excited; (I said), ‘Talk to me in two weeks.’ Well, in two weeks, we had our second scrimmage … a lot of positive things happening on both sides of the ball.
“We're taking those steps that put us in a position where we can be very, very competitive and win.”
That’s all that matters when the clock hits triple zeroes.
At least, that’s what Rivera reiterated when asked what he would consider a successful 2026 season for the world’s top public university.
“Winning,” Rivera said. “That’s it. There’s no number. … Winning. That’s all that matters. Put yourself in a position where you win … you’re in the playoffs … in bowl games … whatever.
“But win.”
It’s now or never for Cal football.
With realignment looming in the background of the already chaotic college football landscape, it’s pivotal for the Golden Bears to win now and sell themselves and the Bay Area sports market by 2028.
That’s part of the reason why the plan is for the California Memorial Stadium tarps, which Lupoi literally took off in a Cal social media post shared on Tuesday, to stay off.
“Hopefully so,” Rivera said. “We’ve done some really good things with our ticket sales; they definitely are up … If we can keep those tarps off all year, that doesn't just impact football, but it impacts the entire athletic department ... we're trying to get our fans, alums, donors (and) our students to understand that it impacts the university.”
The Sons of California can continue in the right direction with a win over the Bruins.
“You really get that opportunity to get everybody excited again,” Rivera said. “Especially with those natural rivalries.”
Living in So Cal I have had to follow the Ucla build up to our game in the press. The dozen or so James Madison transfers have already been used as a positive and now with Hendrick staying on - the Bruins are very excited and no doubt as motivated as the Bears. Several obvious advantages for Cal - Joe Roth game, home opener and the debut of Tosh and staff. Typically first games are loaded with miscues and penalties but I don't think either team is going to run away. For us football starved Bear fans we will be all over this game and how nice to start out the Tosh era with a sweet win!! Go Bears!
Bring back bottled beer and cigars at CMS. Should get us back in the Rose Bowl!
