I project two more will join the bowl lineup over the final weeks.
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“I think our team looks forward to matches like this”, said head coach John Dunning.
Cal’s latest setback was a 44-28 loss to Oregon.
If the Bruins can defeat upstart Washington State at home on Saturday, it will set up a pivotal game against Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium, before the finale at USC.
OR had won seven straight meetings before splitting the last six. “He’s been really good in that area of where we’re trying to go as a defense, along with the staff and the players”.
Did you know: Andersen and Sonny Dykes shared time coaching in the WAC. “That’s something that should never happen”.
The Pac-12 has six teams now eligible, with a seventh to qualify this weekend when Cal thumps Oregon State. They are last in the Pac-12 in passing, pass efficiency, scoring, total offense and sacks, ninth in rushing, scoring defense, pass defense efficiency and total defense, and 10th in rushing defense.
It would be foolish for the Bears to take this game for granted, but that elusive sixth victory is certainly within their grasp. “He is an exciting player with a strong arm”. We like this, coach’. “We just have to do a better job of handling adversity in ballgames when things don’t go our way”. It was his lowest completion percentage since he completed 3-of-7 (.429) in a driving rainstorm against the Ducks in the fourth game of his freshman campaign. “One game at a time”.
Next big obstacle: vs. Oregon, Saturday. Oregon State is 2-7 this year and now on a 6 game losing streak.
The Trojans, who visit Colorado on Friday, are also still alive, but they’ll have to take care of their own business, including a winning trip to OR, while rooting for a Utes loss. The Ducks had just five sacks during the team’s first four games. The sophomore has 1,289 rushing yards to lead the Pac-12 Conference and ranks eighth in UO single-season history. It’s going to test our character. “We have Oregon State next week, and that’s all we can focus on”. Which means that here is finally the chance for the Oregon Ducks to give their rivals a taste of what it feels like to lose more than just a single game.
A handful of well-timed option reads for the keeper against the California defense added a new wrinkle to the OR attack and did so with good effect against the Bears. In truth, the only difference between this game and the matchups of years past is where the teams are ranked. Quarterback Jared Goff leads the Cal offense with 2866 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
When: Wednesday, November 11, at 7:30 p.m. PT on Pac-12 Network, Pac-12 Los Angeles and Pac-12 OR with Anne Marie Anderson and Tammy Blackburn on the call. Why Oregon State Will Win The pressure is beginning to mount for Cal, which has entered must-win territory. Elusive quarterback Vernon Adams, a transfer from Eastern Washington, threw for 300 yards and running backs Royce Freeman and Tony Brooks-James each surpassed 100 yards rushing. The under is 4-1 in Oregon State’s last 5 road games.
This game is going to be close, and if the Cardinal do not play a ideal game, they could see their championship hopes ended in ironic fashion by their bitter rivals. “Because when he does he’s at his best when he gets back out there??? he’s a little more rested”.
After the scout-team offense experienced a few success during a red-zone period in practice last Wednesday, Oregon’s defense answered with vigor in the same period this week. He is 9-of-12 on field goal attempts this season and has made eight of his last nine.
However, there is one thing that the Ducks can still accomplish. It was the first time the Bears have blocked two punts in a game since 2003.
Dealing with issues at quarterback and on defense, OR had an ugly and disappointing first half of the season with a 3-3 SU and 2-4 ATS record that included two outright losses as a double-digit favorite.
“The other running backs are running the ball well, breaking tackles, and McCaffrey is all over the place”.
-OL Jordan Rigsbee (No. 22 offensive guard, 390th overall) – Rigsbee started his 45th consecutive game in the loss to Oregon. The run blocking still needs improvement. Muhammad rushed for 92 yards on eight carries in the season opener against Grambling State and had 164 yards on 10 carries in a Week-3 win over Texas.
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Cal tight end Raymond Hudson was named the Pac-12’s Special Teams Player of the Week. His 80-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter was Cal’s longest offensive play of the season. He tied for the team lead with four receptions for 78 yards. He had two catches for 31 yards against Oregon.
