Defense is out of hibernation
By Connor Letourneau
For more than two years, the Internet has provided Cal a valuable source of motivation. Bears defenders perused message boards and Twitter feeds, growing more and more determined with each criticism.
On Saturday, in Cal’s 35-7 win over San Diego State at Memorial Stadium, a much-disparaged defense showcased the strides it made in the offseason. The Bears (2-0)
were assignment-sound after a shaky start. When the final whistle blew, they had notched two interceptions and allowed their fewest points since 2010.
Sure, the performance came against an Aztecs (1-1) offense that recorded just one touchdown in its season opener against non-scholarship San Diego. But for a Bears’ defense eager to move past last year’s record-setting woes, Saturday underscored an important truth: Art Kaufman’s group can handle an FBS opponent.
“That’s the first look at the new and improved Cal defense,” quarterback Jared Goff said. “When you have a defense that can do that, it helps so much. I’m just ecstatic for how well they played.”
Familiar miscues surfaced early. On the opening drive, the Bears’ front seven struggled holding blockers and finding running back Donnel Pumphrey. Defensive backs were a step late when quarterback Maxwell Smith hit receivers with several quick passes up the middle. Less than four minutes into the game, Smith connected with Daniel Brunskill for a 29-yard touchdown.
Last year, it would have signaled yet another defensive implosion. But players listened to position coaches Saturday and made adjustments. Cal didn’t allow another point over 13 Aztecs possessions.
The highlight came with the game tied 7-7 late in the second quarter. Bears cornerback Darius White sneaked in front of SDSU wide receiver Eric Judge and picked off quarterback Christian Chapman’s pass at the Bears’ 35-yard line.
Then Goff used three throws to march the Bears down field for the tie-breaking touchdown in the waning seconds of the first half. On the first play out of intermission, he hit a wideopen Trevor Davis for a 75-yard score that put Cal up 21-7.
“It definitely pumps up the offense a lot seeing interceptions happen,” said Davis, who finished with a career-high 138 yards on three catches. “It’s just a total change of moods, really.”
Added head coach Sonny Dykes: “There was no sense of panic or any of that setting in early, which is very encouraging. … The turnover and the drive at the end of the first half were really critical.”
Smith and Chapman had little time to make their reads. The Aztecs, who aim to drain the clock with an effective ground attack, averaged just 3.3 yards on 43 carries Saturday. No receiver finished with more than 53 yards.
Such dominance was partly a product of improved depth and another year in Kaufman’s system. But it was also borne from past failures. After allowing an FBS-record 42 touchdown passes last year, Bears defenders entered the offseason eyeing a measure of redemption. Players went beyond required workouts to be better than their former selves.
“We just worked harder than we ever had,” linebacker Michael Barton said. “We came closer as a team.”