Bears’ run defense hopes to reverse an ugly trend
Through its first two games, Cal’s defense has allowed 582 rushing yards on 6.8 yards per carry.
And now No. 11 Texas and its powerhouse running game is headed to Berkeley for the Bears’ home opener.
The Longhorns average 204 rushing yards per game and have five players who churn out at least 4.1 yards per carry, including bruisers D’Onta Foreman (6-foot-1, 249 pounds) and Chris Warren III (6-2, 252).
“You’re always concerned anytime you don’t have success in one part of the game,” Cal head coach Sonny Dykes said about the Bears’ run defense Tuesday. “There’s always a sense of urgency to get it fixed, so we’re working hard to get it fixed.”
Cal linebacker Raymond Davison, who is fourth on the team with 10 tackles, said most of the problems have been mistakes in execution rather than being overmatched by opponents.
“Those things are really correctable, so it’s not really a big issue right now,” Davison said. No arm problems: Cal quarterback Davis Webb attempted 72 passes in Saturday’s 45-40 loss at San Diego State, breaking the school record of 64 established by Jared Goff in 2013.
The graduate transfer, who completed 41 of the passes for 522 yards and five touchdowns, has been doing a throwing routine designed by former baseball pitching coach Tom House before every practice at Cal and credits that for his arm holding up to the wear.
“Honestly, it was a little sore, but it wasn’t that bad,” Webb said. “I think I was sorer from my body getting hit.” Who’s got the blind side? Dykes indicated that there will be an open competition this week between Patrick Mekari, who has started the first two games at left tackle, and returning starter Aaron Cochran, who came back from a sprained right knee Saturday. Alzheimer’s awareness: Cal and Texas will partner with the Darrel Royal Research Fund for Alzheimer’s disease Saturday, wearing #ENDALZ patches and purple Alzheimer’s Association wristbands.
“We need to get people to start having conversations about Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dykes, whose mother, Sharon, died of complications from the disease. “Our main goal is to get people talking about it with the hope that more funding will be dedicated toward working to find a cure and caring for those afflicted. At this point, it is a severely underfunded cause when compared to the large number of people it affects.”