Tag: California

Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera on the field before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images

Back to school: Ron Rivera joins staff at alma mater Cal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ron Rivera, who took the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl a decade ago, said Wednesday he’s headed to the football staff at Cal, his alma mater.

The former coach of the Panthers and Washington Commanders, Rivera interviewed for head coaching jobs with the Chicago Bears and New York Jets this offseason but didn’t land any offers. But he seems content with his Plan B, and, after all, if six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Belichick can work on the NCAA level, he can, too.

“Coach Belichick has made going back to school, cool,” Rivera posted to X about his new job. “Stay tuned I am coming home.”

ESPN reported that Rivera, 63, largely will help Cal head coach Justin Wilcox and the program in an administrative role. He’ll assist in overseeing the big picture of the program, including budget and coaching staff, per the report.

Rivera was an All-American linebacker at Cal after his senior season in 1983. That year, he set a school record with 26.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including 13 sacks. He had 337 tackles during his Golden Bears career.

He was inducted into the California Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994.

This will be the first foray into college for Rivera, who posted a 102-103-2 record with the Panthers (2011-19) and Washington (2020-23).

He was fired by the Commanders following the 2023 season.

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears running back Jaydn Ott (1) and defensive back Marcus Harris (5) before the game against the Stanford Cardinal at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

RB Jaydn Ott heading back to Cal for senior season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Running back Jaydn Ott is returning to Cal for his senior season, he announced Sunday morning on Twitter.

That’s great news for the Golden Bears, who saw quarterback Fernando Mendoza enter the transfer portal.

Ott rushed for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023, adding 25 receptions for 169 yards and two scores. But in 2024, an ankle injury sustained in the opener hampered him much of the season, limiting him to 385 yards on 116 carries with four touchdowns.

If Ott returns to his 2023 form, he will team with Jaivian Thomas to form a potent backfield for Cal, which finished 6-7 (2-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) in 2024.

Thomas led the Golden Bears with 626 yards on 100 carries with seven touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Dec 6, 2024; Boise, ID, USA; UNLV Rebels quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams (6) throws down field against the Boise State Broncos at Albertsons Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-Imagn Images

No. 24 UNLV, Cal aim to focus on LA Bowl amid upheaval

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The LA Bowl on Wednesday in Inglewood, Calif., will feature two teams in flux, as No. 24 UNLV aims to secure an 11-win season against Cal after losing its head coach — and hiring a new one in the same week.

Purdue announced Dec. 8 that UNLV’s Barry Odom would become the Boilermakers’ 38th head coach. The news broke less than 48 hours after the Rebels’ College Football Playoff dreams died in a 21-7 loss to Boise State in the Mountain West championship game.

UNLV (10-3) responded Thursday by announcing the head-coaching hire of Dan Mullen, the former Florida and Mississippi State coach who spent 13 years leading teams in the SEC.

Del Alexander, a former Southern California receiver and Los Angeles native, will be the Rebels’ interim coach in the bowl game after spending the last two seasons as UNLV’s wide receivers coach.

“I’ve been around some great coaches,” Alexander said. “I think I have a winning record in being a part of teams that have won bowl games. The influence from those experiences is what I’m using. You know, short and sweet. Make sure the guys have fun. Make sure they’re locked in on the details for the situations, and then bring it all together in the end.”

Things have gone awry in Bear Territory as well, as Cal star quarterback Fernando Mendoza elected to enter the transfer portal. Leading receiver Nyziah Hunter also chose to enter the portal after hauling in 578 receiving yards and five touchdowns this season.

Cal (6-6) also chose to part ways with offensive coordinator Mike Bloesch, hiring former Auburn and Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin to take Bloesch’s place.

Cal coach Justin Wilcox confirmed this week that quarterbacks CJ Harris and EJ Caminong were splitting reps in practice in the lead-up to the bowl game with Chandler Rogers working to make his way back from injury.

Wilcox explained how the coaching staff will delegate play-calling on Wednesday after overhauling the offensive staff, saying it will be “a collaborative effort.”

“We got a couple guys on our staff who work and practice run and pass games, so we got some great support there,” Wilcox said. “Right now (Harris) and (Caminong) are taking the majority of the reps, Chandler’s day-to-day, so we’ll see how he’s doing.”

UNLV lost its coach but has only one notable opt-out as running back Greg Burrell entered the transfer portal. Cornerback Tony Grimes also entered the portal but will play in Wednesday’s game regardless.

Quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams will make his final start after a six-year career at Campbell and UNLV. He threw for 17 touchdowns and 1,845 yards this season while rushing for a career-high 824 yards in 10 starts.

UNLV stalwart and Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year Jackson Woodard will play in Wednesday’s game, closing a career that saw him end as a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the most outstanding college football player who began his career as a walk-on.

It was a full-circle moment for Woodard, who grew up in Arkansas and started his career at Brandon Burlsworth’s SEC alma mater.

Rebels star receiver Ricky White is also expected to cap off his collegiate career in Wednesday’s game before graduating in the spring and heading to the NFL draft.

White enters the LA Bowl 352 yards short of UNLV’s all-time receiving record despite spending only three of his four seasons at the school. He tallied a career-high 11 touchdowns this season after racking up career highs in receptions (88) and receiving yards (1,483) in 2023, the latter of which was a program record.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs safety Brandon Crossley (1) celebrates a defensive stop against the California Golden Bears during the first half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

No. 9 SMU blows out Cal to win 9th straight, improve to 11-1

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No. 9 SMU jumped out to a three-touchdown lead then sealed the game with a fourth-quarter explosion in their 38-6 win over visiting Cal in an Athletic Coast Conference matchup in Dallas on Saturday.

The Mustangs (11-1, 8-0 ACC) were already assured of a berth in the conference title game on Dec. 7. They will play Clemson, which qualified when No. 6 Miami fell at Syracuse on Saturday.

Kevin Jennings threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns. Brashard Smith had rushing and receiving scores, and Derrick McFall also ran for a touchdown for SMU.

The Mustangs had 251 total yards in the first half as they built a 21-0 lead but tallied only 17 yards in the third quarter before regaining steam. They finished with 415 yards to 254 for Cal.

SMU also had 17 penalties for 137 yards, with 85 of those yards coming after intermission.

The Mustangs’ defense, meanwhile, had five sacks, two by Kobe Wilson, among their 16 tackles for loss. Jonathan McGill’s interception in the fourth quarter set up Jennings’ 23-yard touchdown strike to Smith to effectively put the game away.

Reserve quarterback Preston Stone hit Key’Shawn Smith for a 40-yard touchdown with 3:38 left in the game to complete the scoring.

Chandler Rogers had 84 yards passing before leaving with an apparent leg injury in the third quarter for Cal (6-6, 2-6), and CJ Harris came on to throw for 75 yards and was intercepted once. Nyziah Hunter finished with 85 yards on five receptions.

The Golden Bears’ only points came on field goals of 40 and 53 yards by Ryan Coe in the second half.

After picking up a combined 35 yards on its first three possessions, Cal had a golden opportunity to draw within striking distance.

Trailing 21-0, the Golden Bears moved from their own 25-yard line to the Mustangs’ 3. But Rogers lost 2 yards on a rush, 10 more on a sack by Elijah Roberts and, after an incompletion, 5 yards for delay of game. Derek Morris’ 38-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide right.

–Field Level Media

Nov 2, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs tight end Stone Eby (44) and wide receiver Roderick Daniels Jr. (13) and wide receiver Moochie Dixon (5) and quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) celebrate a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

No. 9 SMU aims to improve playoff odds vs. Cal

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SMU has plenty to play for when it closes the regular season against California on Saturday afternoon in Dallas.

The Mustangs (10-1, 7-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who checked in at No. 9 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday, would like to send their seniors off the right way. They would also like to complete a perfect regular season before appearing in the ACC title game in their first year in the conference. Most importantly, they want to continue to strengthen their playoff case.

“You’ve got the College Football Playoff, so every game matters. That’s what’s so cool about it now. The regular season is important,” SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said. “We’d like to finish well in everything we do, particularly on Saturday, to finish off the regular season, continue our momentum into the following week. Hopefully, continue to show the committee and others that we’re worthy of continuing to play this year.”

The Mustangs are a worthy playoff team to date. Kevin Jennings has established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country, throwing for 2,521 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also has rushed for 315 yards and four TDs. Brashard Smith has been another standout, rushing for 1,089 yards and 13 TDs. Defensively, the Mustangs rank tied for 14th in the country with 20 takeaways.

“Obviously they’ve had a phenomenal season,” Cal coach Justin Wilcox said of SMU. “As soon as you turn the tape on, it doesn’t take very long to see why their record is what it is. They’re very, very good really in every phase of the game – extremely explosive and quick and fast. They’ve got a dominant D-line. We’ve got a lot of challenges in front of us and our guys are excited for that.”

Cal (6-5, 2-5) is coming off an emotional win, defeating rival Stanford 24-21 on Saturday to secure a bowl berth. The Golden Bears will appear in consecutive bowls for the first time since 2018-19 and are now looking to clinch their first winning season since 2019.

SMU is not overlooking Cal, as all five of the Golden Bears’ losses have come by one score.

“You’d be hard-pressed to find a better 6-5 team in America,” Lashlee said. “I think you can conservatively say they very, very easily could be 9-2.”

Cal is led by quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who has thrown for 3,004 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. Tight end Jack Endries leads the team with 555 yards receiving, while wide receiver Nyziah Hunter has caught a team-leading five touchdowns.

Defensively, Cal has the ACC’s top scoring defense (20.7 points per game) and is tied with Clemson for the ACC’s best turnover margin (plus-13). Defensive back Nohl Williams is the star of the group — he leads the country with seven interceptions.

Even though oddsmakers are heavily favoring SMU, Cal is going into the game with a simple mindset.

“Our task at hand is to make the best bowl game right now,” Mendoza said. “And the way to do that is to go into Dallas, give it our best and ruin SMU’s season.”

Saturday will mark the first conference meeting between these ACC newcomers, and just the second meeting between the programs all time. SMU won a 13-6 game back in 1957.

–Field Level Media

Nov 9, 2024; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Kyle McCord (6) throws against the Boston College Eagles during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Rising Cal plots to slow Syracuse, Kyle McCord

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Things are starting to look up for Cal, which aims for its third straight win Saturday when Syracuse pays a visit to Berkeley, Calif.

The Golden Bears (5-4, 1-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) have won two games in a row after dropping their previous four contests. They notched their largest margin of victory in 2024 when they trounced Oregon State 44-7 on Oct. 26. Then after a bye week, they earned their first ACC victory by topping Wake Forest 46-36 on Nov. 8 in Winston-Salem, N.C.

“We found a way to win,” Bears coach Justin Wilcox said after his team racked up 500 yards of offense against the Demon Deacons.

Cal’s offensive production revolved around Fernando Mendoza, who threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. He set career highs for passing yards (385) and rushing yards (51), helping his team overcome a quiet day on the ground.

“The quarterback run game was a big element last week, especially late in the second half,” Wilcox said. “I should say that was noticeable. But we want to be able to (run the ball) because if we run the ball better, those stats are going to be even better.”

Mikey Matthews led the Cal receivers with eight catches for 83 yards and a score — his first of the season — and noted afterward that there has been good energy surrounding the team.

“The vibes, the last few weeks, have been up,” Matthews said. “The guys are staying positive.”

Syracuse (6-3, 3-3) could be facing a morale challenge after losing two of its past three games — and even the one win in that stretch (38-31 over Virginia Tech) required a major second-half rally and overtime. The Orange absorbed a 37-31 loss at Boston College last weekend despite getting 392 passing yards and two touchdowns from Kyle McCord.

“We’re just gonna keep pushing and keep playing,” first-year coach Fran Brown said.

Brown hopes that mantra resonates with his team early and often on Saturday. The Orange have not scored a first-quarter point in their past three games and have been blanked in the first quarter in five of their nine contests.

“It’s kind of been a theme all year,” McCord said. “I feel like we either start really fast or we start really slow.”

McCord certainly will keep a close eye on Cal cornerback Nohl Williams, who leads the nation with seven interceptions, including one against Wake Forest. The Bears have recorded at least one turnover in 11 straight games (and 44 of their past 47 contests).

Of course, McCord is no slouch. He has thrown for at least 300 yards in eight of the nine games and is averaging 350.3 yards — tops in the nation — with 23 passing TDs, fifth in the country.

“They’ve done a real good job,” Brown said of the Syracuse offense. “They’ve been able to carry our football team.”

Regarding how Cal will approach slowing the Orange, Wilcox said, “We have to pick and choose when to pressure, but it’s going to be a team effort. It’ll take everybody involved this week.”

The Orange and Bears have met only twice — a Syracuse home win in 1967 and a Cal home win in 1968.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) carries the ball against the Oregon State Beavers during the second quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Everything clicking for Cal in rout of Oregon State

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Quarterback Fernando Mendoza turned a late lateral from running back Jaivian Thomas into a first-possession touchdown, leading a scoring frenzy that propelled California to a 44-7 shellacking of Oregon State in a nonconference game Saturday afternoon in Berkeley, Calif.

In a matchup of former Pacific-12 Conference rivals, Mendoza also threw a traditional TD pass, Thomas scored on a short run and Derek Morris booted five field goals, allowing the Golden Bears (4-4) to snap a four-game losing skid and remain unbeaten in nonconference play.

Mendoza was credited with both a TD pass and TD reception when, from the Oregon State 9, he flipped a third-down pass to Thomas in the flat. The Cal back was immediately trapped, but alertly lateraled the ball back to an onlooking Mendoza, who raced to the end zone for the game-opening score.

Mendoza connected with Nyziah Hunter from 20 yards out later in the period for a 14-0 lead from which Cal never looked back.

The Golden Bears ran up a 31-0 margin by halftime, with a 2-yard run by Thomas and two-point conversion pass from Mendoza to Mikey Matthews complementing Morris field goals from 33, 46 and 19 yards.

Morris added a fourth field goal from 25 yards in the third period and 38 yards in the fourth, the latter completing Cal’s scoring after Jamaal Wiley had added a 1-yard TD run late in the third quarter.

Oregon State (4-4) finally got on the scoreboard with 5:00 remaining on a 2-yard pass from backup quarterback Ben Gulbranson to Trent Walker.

Mendoza finished 27-for-36 for a career-high 364 yards without an interception. Hunter hauled in four of the passes for 85 yards, and Trond Grizzell had five catches for a game-high 95 yards.

Cal star running back Jaydn Ott returned from an ankle injury to contribute four catches for 58 yards as well as 11 rushing yards on 10 carries. Thomas was the Golden Bears’ leading rusher with 33 yards on seven attempts.

Gulbranson completed 11 of his 20 passes for 131 yards, also without an interception. Walker had five catches for 58 yards, while Anthony Hankerson was Oregon State’s top ballcarrier with 49 yards on 16 carries.

While Cal played error-free ball, the Beavers suffered two turnovers — a fumble and an interception thrown by starting quarterback Gevani McCoy, who went 2-for-5 for 3 yards before being replaced by Gulbranson.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack wide receiver Kevin Concepcion (10) secures a catch against defensive back Craig Woodson (left) during the second quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

NC State scores two TDs in fourth quarter, edges Cal

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True freshman quarterback CJ Bailey threw for 306 yards and two touchdowns as North Carolina State notched its first Atlantic Coast Conference win of the season with a 24-23 road victory over Cal on Saturday in Berkeley, Calif.

Bailey completed 25 of 36 passes as the Wolfpack (4-4, 1-3 ACC) pulled to .500 overall and notched their first road win. NC State’s offense also was boosted by Hollywood Smothers, who had 112 yards of total offense on 13 touches (25 yards rushing, 87 receiving).

After NC State took a fourth-quarter lead, Cal (3-4, 0-4) used 13 plays to drive 65 yards in about five minutes to set up a go-ahead 28-yard field-goal attempt, but Derek Morris’ kick from the left hash sailed wide right. Cal got one more chance to drive for a potential game-winning score with 59 seconds left, but the Golden Bears stalled on a fourth-and-5 at their 39, gaining only 3 yards.

It’s the fourth consecutive loss for the Golden Bears, each by five points or less.

Fernando Mendoza steered the offense by completing 30 of 42 passes for 282 yards. Jack Endries hauled in nine passes for 101 yards.

The Wolfpack took their first lead of the day early in the second quarter when wideout Kevin Concepcion took a direct snap and punched it into the end zone from 2 yards out. Cal responded with three field goals and a 7-yard touchdown run from Jaivian Thomas to take a 23-10 advantage into the fourth quarter.

NC State then opened the final frame with two scores, as Bailey found Dacari Collins for a short passing touchdown, and followed that by connecting with Smothers for a 41-yard catch-and-run for a score. Kanoah Vinesett’s extra point gave the Wolfpack a narrow 24-23 lead with 6:32 to play.

Cal won the turnover battle 2-1 and held NC State’s rushing attack to 29 yards on 30 attempts. The Golden Bears struggled on third downs, though, converting 2 of 14. The Wolfpack was 8 of 17 on third down, 2 of 2 on fourth down.

Golden Bears offensive lineman TJ Session was carted off the field near the end of the game with an undisclosed injury.

NC State running back Jordan Waters did not travel with the team to Cal due to an illness.

–Field Level Media

California Golden Bears defensive back Marcus Harris (5) breaks up a pass intended for Auburn Tigers wide receiver Cam Coleman (8) as Auburn Tigers take on California Golden Bears at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. California Golden Bears leads Auburn Tigers 14-7 at halftime.

Cal intercepts four passes in win over Auburn

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Nohl Williams intercepted two passes, including one with 2:11 to play, and California avenged a home loss last season with a 21-14 road win over Auburn in a nonconference game Saturday afternoon.

Fernando Mendoza threw two touchdown passes to Nyziah Hunter before leaving the game with a leg injury and Jaivian Thomas produced the eventual difference-making score on a 32-yard run with 11:27 remaining in the game, allowing the Golden Bears (2-0) to score the upset.

Auburn (1-1) won the first-ever meeting between the schools 14-10 last September in Berkeley, Calif.

Payton Thorne threw for 165 yards and one touchdown and ran for another for Auburn, but was intercepted four times. His TD pass covered 15 yards to KeAndre Lambert-Smith for the game’s first score just 3:18 into the contest.

Auburn, which rolled up 628 total yards in a 72-3 romp over Alabama A&M last week, was held to 286 by Cal.

The Golden Bears finished with 332 total yards without a turnover. Auburn lost the ball five times, including once on a fumble.

Lu-Magia Hearns III and Ja’ir Smith also intercepted passes for Cal, which struggled at home to beat UC Davis 31-13 in its opener last week.

The Golden Bears, who joined the Atlantic Coast Conference this season, were able to win despite getting minimal production from star running back Jaydn Ott, who suffered an ankle injury in the Davis win. The All-American candidate gained just 11 yards on 10 carries.

Mendoza finished 25-for-36 passing for 233 yards and the two scores. Hunter, Mavin Anderson and Jonathan Brady had four catches each for Cal, which spread the ball around to nine different receivers.

Hunter’s TD catches covered 19 yards to tie the game at 7-7 in the first quarter and 13 yards to give Cal a lead it never relinquished in the second period.

Thomas was Cal’s leading ballcarrier with 53 yards on eight attempts.

Auburn’s Jarquez Hunter was the game’s leading rusher with 68 yards on 12 carries. Thorne’s TD run came from 2 yards out for the game’s final score with 6:06 to play.

-Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears running back Jaydn Ott (1) carries the ball against UC Davis Aggies defensive lineman Uilisoni Amone (99) during the third quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Cal hopes to have RB Jaydn Ott ready against Auburn

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California will get a chance to get acquainted with the type of travel in its Atlantic Coast Conference future when the Golden Bears fly 2,400 miles to visit fellow unbeaten Auburn in a nonconference game Saturday afternoon.

The matchup will complete a home-and-home agreement between the new ACC school and the longtime Southeastern Conference power, one that began last September with a 14-10 Tigers win in Berkeley, Calif.

Cal (1-0) is expected to have star running back Jaydn Ott available for the rematch after the All-American candidate injured his left ankle in the Golden Bears’ 31-13 opening win at home over U.C. Davis last Saturday.

Cal coach Justin Wilcox, who is known to be secretive with information such as starters and player availability, labeled Ott “probable” in his weekly chat with reporters on Tuesday.

Ott had just 49 yards on 14 carries but had scored two touchdowns before leaving the Davis game for good midway through the third quarter. He had 20 carries for a game-high 78 yards and one score in last year’s loss to Auburn.

Ott factored into a third TD in the opener when Nohl Williams, one of the blocking backs on the kickoff unit, grabbed a short kick designed to prevent an Ott return and dashed 80 yards for a score.

“Going into the week, I knew that was their game plan — kicking away from Jaydn,” noted Williams, who also intercepted a pass in the win. “That was my opportunity right there.”

Ott was a first-team All-Pac 12 selection in 2023, when he rushed for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns. The preseason All-ACC first-team pick could be replaced Saturday by Kadarius Calloway, Jaivian Thomas and Byron Cardwell.

Auburn (1-0) will feature a familiar face in an unusual spot when it attempts to duplicate the offensive fireworks it displayed in last week’s 73-3 home win over Alabama A&M against a defense that allowed it just 14 points a year ago.

Sam Jackson V, who started at quarterback for Cal in last year’s meeting, is now a wide receiver for the Tigers. He had a 37-yard TD reception against the overmatched FCS opponent in his Auburn debut.

“It’ll be a good challenge to sort of see kind of where we are offensively,” Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said of the Golden Bears. “Here’s our chance to prove we can be a fundamentally efficient scoring machine against who I think plays really good defensive football.”

–Field Level Media