Bruce Jenkins:
A new ending Cal fans can enjoy.
As the Washington Huskies’ offense took the field, stoked by the energy of a roaring crowd, long-suffering Cal fans took their familiar places in homes around the Bay Area.
Aunt Edna went behind the couch, where she could either steal a few peeks or just stare down at the carpet. Big Ed headed out to mow the lawn, where he wouldn’t have to witness the bitter end. Mom told the kids to go play as she stirred up the beginnings of a casserole.
And then it happened, something Cal fans can’t even dream about, let alone fancy in moments of unbridled optimism: The Bears’ defense clinched the game. Sonny Dykes’ boys took a stand. The dynamic opposing quarterback was hurried, harassed and finally defeated. Mark down Saturday’s 30-24 win as another huge step for the Cal program, and call the Bears undefeated through the first four weeks.
So completed another memorable college football weekend, ignited by Stanford’s 42-24 win over Oregon State on Friday night and polished off by a Cal team now demanding national recognition. Maybe it will come in the form of a Top 25 ranking Sunday, maybe not. That’s really not the issue. If this keeps up — and the Bears have a very winnable game at home against Washington State next weekend before getting into the meat of the schedule — it will be all about the growing excitement and anticipation on the Cal campus. If you followed Dykes’ teams over his first two seasons, you remember scores more appropriate to a college basketball court: 54-32, 55-16, 62-28, 49-45 and 59-41, always in defeat. There were a couple of preposterous victories (59-56 and 60-59, each last year), and just last week, it took a missed extra point to keep Texas from coming back from a 45-24 deficit to tie the game.
That sense of doom
Saturday’s game had that feel. It was cold-sweat time for the seasoned Cal fan, that sense of impending doom. Then came the Huskies’ crucial 3rd-and-11 play, quarterback Jake Browning fading back to pass. Defensive end Kyle Kragen, with 21⁄2 sacks to his credit, blew past tackle Matt James and forced Browning to scramble. Jonathan Johnson’s hot pursuit forced an awkwardlooking throw. And safety Demariay Drew stepped in for an interception to halt the kind of drive that always — in those dark, dark days — ended poorly for Cal.
This is a wonderful time to be following local college football, especially as it regards the quarterbacks. Jared Goff and Kevin Hogan will be professionals someday, and this might be the last we see of them (Hogan is a fifth-year senior, Goff a junior targeted to enter the draft if he pleases), so appreciate the times, right in step with the sterling memories of Aaron Rodgers, John Elway, Joe Roth, Andrew Luck and so many others.
Both men are playing hurt, and heroically, right now. Hogan fought his way through a sprained ankle against Oregon State and made some brilliant connections with Michael Rector, Devon Cajuste and Austin Hooper, who just might be building his case as the best tight end in the country. Hogan’s 42-yard strike to Hooper, for a 14-7 lead in the first quarter, was something straight out of the NFL.
Moreover, Stanford is now showcasing its full arsenal of offensive weapons, and it’s something to behold. Remound Wright is the tough-yardage back, particularly down around the goal line. Christian McCaffrey (303 all-purpose yards) is the full package, explosive and technically masterful. Former high-school sprint sensation Bryce Love is a threat whenever he touches the ball, and the wraps are finally coming off Barry Sanders, who uncorked a 65-yard touchdown run down the left sideline.
How do you stop the Cardinal when all of these players are in sync? That’s a pretty valid question, especially considering that coach David Shaw’s team already has two Pac-12 road games out of the way. Five of the remaining seven are at home, and both road trips (at Colorado and Washington State) would appear to be dead-cinch wins.
NFL-style performance
Goff took some ferocious hits at Texas last week, and when he wasn’t getting sacked by the Huskies on Saturday, he was getting off reputable throws before getting pounded to the turf. Speaking of NFLstyle performance, it gets no better than Goff ’s 28-yard bullet on a post route to Bryce Treggs for a 20-7 lead. The ball found its way precisely between two defenders, and Goff unloaded it off his back foot.
It was Goff ’s last act, though, that truly enriched his reputation. Trying to run out the clock, the Bears faced 4thand-4 at the Washington 35 with a minute to go. Dykes — you love his gambler’s heart — called for Goff to take it himself on a rollout to the left.
The play seemed to have no chance. Washington linebacker Azeem Victor got a full head of steam and absolutely drilled Goff — but didn’t bring him down. Goff recovered to get that first down, on sheer willpower, and that settled matters.
Around the Bay Area, there was tremendous relief. Dad came back from the garage, where he was pretending to check the oil, and gathered the family together. “OK, that’s it,” he proclaimed, “I really believe in this team now. No more of this hiding nonsense.”
If this keeps up, he might even be telling the truth.