Tag: Golden Bears

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

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Devin Brown arrives on the field prior to the College Football Playoff first round game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Dec. 21, 2024.

Ohio State backup QB Devin Brown transferring to Cal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After accomplishing his goal of winning a national championship with Ohio State on Monday night, backup quarterback Devin Brown is transferring to Cal.

Brown had entered the NCAA transfer portal on Dec. 9 but announced he would fulfill his commitment to the Buckeyes through their College Football Playoff run, which concluded with a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame in the title game.

He reposted a tweet from the Cal football account on X welcoming him to the program.

Brown is seeking a starting job after backing up Kyle McCord in 2023 and Will Howard this season. Brown, who has two years of eligibility remaining, played in total of 15 games at Ohio State and was a combined 27-of-48 passing for 331 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed 30 times for 37 yards and one TD.

A four-star quarterback in the Class of 2022, Brown was the nation’s No. 43 overall prospect and No. 6 quarterback according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

Brown heads to Cal, where 2024 starter Fernando Mendoza has transferred to Indiana.

Ohio State is losing Howard, a graduate transfer from Kansas State, as well as Brown and freshman backup Air Noland, who transferred to South Carolina. Julian Sayin, a transfer from Alabama, is entering his redshirt freshman season, while Lincoln Kienholz will be in his third year in the program if he stays. The Buckeyes also have signed five-star Tavien St. Clair.

–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; California Golden Bears quarterback CJ Harris (16) huddles with the offense during the game between the SMU Mustangs and the California Golden Bears at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Cal moving on from OC Mike Bloesch

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Cal will be looking for a new offensive coordinator to replace Mike Bloesch, the team announced Tuesday.

Golden Bears coach Justin Wilcox said in a statement that there would be leadership changes made to the offensive staff and that the search for an offensive coordinator was underway. No one has a specific role on the staff yet, though, according to Wilcox.

There was no direct mention of Bloesch in the statement.

Bloesch was promoted to offensive coordinator ahead of the season after serving as offensive line coach/run game coordinator in 2023. Cal averaged 26.1 points per game this season and went 6-6. The Bears sit 71st in the county with an average of 382.8 total yards per game.

–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 23, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) carries the ball against the Stanford Cardinal during the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Cal scores twice late to edge Stanford in Big Game’s ACC debut

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Fernando Mendoza connected with Jonathan Brady for a pair of touchdown passes in the final 10:09 on Saturday afternoon, rallying California to a 24-21 victory over rival Stanford in the annual Big Game’s first Atlantic Coast Conference edition in Berkeley, Calif.

Mendoza threw for 299 yards and three scores, the first of which was a second-quarter, 16-yard toss to Trond Grizzell for Cal’s only TD in the game’s first three quarters as Stanford built a 21-10 lead.

But Mendoza found Brady for a 30-yard TD to cap a 71-yard drive with 10:09 to play to get the Golden Bears (6-5, 2-5 ACC) within five, then hit his wideout again for a 22-yard score that put Cal on top with 2:40 to go.

A two-point shovel pass from Mendoza to Jaydn Ott increased the margin to 24-21, before the Cal defense forced a turnover on downs on Stanford’s ensuing possession, giving the host Golden Bears command of the game.

Mendoza’s late accuracy left him 25-for-36 without an interception, helping the Golden Bears gain bowl eligibility with a sixth win.

Brady finished with five catches for 64 yards and his two scores, while Grizzell had four catches for a game-high 70 yards and the first-half TD. Mendoza also was Cal’s leading rusher with 11 carries for 35 yards.

Stanford dominated the early going, taking a 14-0 lead in the 14th minute of the game on 1- and 2-yard plunges by Stanford backup quarterback Justin Lamson.

Seeking to end a three-game losing streak in the rivalry, the Cardinal (3-8, 2-6) created a two-touchdown cushion midway through the third quarter when running back Micah Ford flipped a 2-yard TD pass to Emmett Mosley V on a fourth-down trick play. Emmet Kenney’s PAT made it 21-7.

Ryan Coe hit a 46-yard field goal with 47 seconds left in the third period, getting Cal within 21-10 and setting up the fourth-quarter rally.

Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels went 14-for-26 for 139 yards with no interceptions and added a game-high 63 yards on 21 rushes. Mosley hauled in six of Daniels’ 14 completions for 63 yards.

The Stanford defense sacked Mendoza six times.

Cal outgained the visitors 371-259, but had the game’s only turnover, a fumble on a kickoff return.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back Desmond Reid (0) runs the ball against the California Golden Bears during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 17-15. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

No. 22 Pitt edges Cal, improves to 6-0

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Pittsburgh’s Desmond Reid ran 72 yards on a fourth-down play in the second quarter, California’s Ryan Coe missed a potential go-ahead field goal with 1:50 remaining and the Panthers held on for a 17-15 Atlantic Coast Conference victory over the visiting Golden Bears on Saturday afternoon.

Reid finished with a game-high 120 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries, helping No. 22 Pittsburgh (6-0, 2-0) remain unbeaten despite going scoreless in the second half.

Fernando Mendoza threw for 272 yards and a score for Cal (3-3, 0-3), which outgained the Panthers 335-277.

The Golden Bears forced a punt after Coe missed low and wide right from 40 yards out. Cal got the ball back at its own 20-yard line with 41 seconds left but went four-and-out.

The difference in the game turned out to be two missed two-point conversion attempts by the Golden Bears.

The first came after Cal went up 6-0, the second after it closed within 17-15 on Jack Endries’ 19-yard touchdown reception with 10:30 left in the fourth quarter.

Pittsburgh also gambled early on when, up 7-6, it went for a fourth-and-1 at its own 28 on the first play of the second quarter. Reid cashed in for the Panthers with his 72-yard touchdown run to give the hosts a 14-6 lead.

The Golden Bears struck first on their opening possession. Jaivian Thomas’s 21-yard run capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive that left Cal ahead 6-0 after its first failed two-point attempt.

Pitt went ahead for good at 7-6 on Reid’s 5-yard run with 5:08 left in the first quarter.

After Reid’s fourth-down score, the teams exchanged field goals. Ben Sauls was good from 58 yards for the Panthers before Coe converted from 39 yards, drawing the Golden Bears within 17-9 at halftime.

Pittsburgh quarterback Eli Holstein went 14-for-28 for 133 yards with two interceptions, the only two turnovers of the game.

Endries hauled in eight passes for a game-high 119 yards for Cal. The Golden Bears rushed for just 63 yards on 40 carries in the absence of All-American candidate running back Jaydn Ott, who sat out with an ankle injury.

-Field Level Media

Oct 5, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) passes against the Miami Hurricanes during the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

No. 8 Miami comes back from 25 down to stun Cal

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Cam Ward threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Arroyo with 26 seconds left and No. 8 Miami recovered from a 25-point, third-quarter deficit to register a 39-38 victory over Cal in Atlantic Coast Conference play on Saturday night at Berkley, Calif.

Ward completed 35 of 53 passes for a season-best 437 yards, along with two touchdowns and one interception for Miami (6-0, 2-0 ACC), which scored 21 unanswered points in the final 10:28. Mark Fletcher Jr. and Damien Martinez rushed for scores before the fourth quarter, Xavier Restrepo caught seven passes for 163 yards, and Isaiah Horton had nine catches for 83 yards and the first of the final three touchdowns for Miami.

The Hurricanes drove 92 yards on six plays in 76 seconds for the decisive score. A broken coverage helped Ward and Restrepo team up for a 77-yard pass play on the first play to move the ball from Miami’s own 8-yard line to the Cal 15, setting up the winning points.

Francisco Mauigoa intercepted Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza with five seconds left to seal it.

The Hurricanes outgained the Golden Bears 278-26 in the final quarter and 575-370 for the game.

Mendoza, a native of Miami, completed 11 of 22 passes for 285 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for the Golden Bears (3-2, 0-2).

Nohl Williams collected fifth interception of the season and returned it for score, Jaydn Ott scored two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving), and Jack Endries had a scoring reception for the Golden Bears.

Miami trailed 35-10 in the third quarter but crept within 38-25 on Ward’s 18-yard pass to Horton with 10:28 left in the contest.

The next time the Hurricanes got the ball, Ward raced 24 yards on a scramble to pull Miami within six with 4:04 remaining.

After Miami scored the game’s first touchdown on Fletcher’s 3-yard run in the opening quarter, the Golden Bears scored 35 of the next 38 points.

Mendoza connected with Endries on a 57-yard scoring play to tie the game with 3:58 left in the first period. Ott scored on a run from the 5 early in the second quarter to give Cal a 14-7 lead.

Andres Borregales kicked a 46-yard field goal to bring the Hurricanes within four with 9:07 left.

Cal made it 21-10 just 67 seconds later as Ott caught a short pass in the right flat and outran Miami defenders down the sideline for a 66-yard score.

Early in the third quarter, a scrambling Ward threw the ball toward the center of the field and Williams intercepted it and went 40 yards for a touchdown.

Cal’s lead topped out at 35-10 when backup quarterback Chandler Rogers entered and ran 9 yards for a touchdown with 8:06 left in the third quarter.

–Field Level Media

Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Patrick Payton (11) defends Louisville Cardinals running back Jawhar Jordan (25) during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Florida State edges Cal in defensive struggle for first win of the season

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Patrick Payton had three sacks for the game and Marvin Jones Jr. had two on the host Florida State Seminoles’ final defensive series to help seal a 14-9 victory over California on Saturday night in Tallahassee, Fla.

Florida State (1-3) snapped a four-game losing streak and avoided what would have been its second 0-4 start since 2021 while handing the Bears (3-1) their first loss in what was the first ever meeting between the schools.

Cal starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza completed 22 of 36 passes for 303 yards to lead the Bears, who played their first ever game in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

But Mendoza was sacked six times with the last one by Edwin Joseph to force a game-clinching loss on downs with 54 seconds remaining.

Joseph, a redshirt freshman, also came up with the lone turnover forced by FSU when he recorded an interception.

The Bears will lament missed opportunities in the kicking game, which could have kept them unbeaten.

While kicker Ryan Coe connected from 25, 29 and 51 yards out, he also had a costly miss from 36 yards early in the third quarter and had a 38-yard attempt blocked with 6:07 left in the fourth.

Cal suffered an injury scare when offensive lineman Sioape Vatikani suffered an injury with 1:43 remaining in the third quarter. Vatikani remained on the ground for several minutes.

Moments after Vatikani was carted off the field, Coe booted his 51-yard field goal to put Cal ahead 9-7.

But Florida State, which entered the game ranked 124th of 133 FBS teams in scoring offense, found a way to score some points in the clutch.
Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei connected in stride with Ja’Khi Douglas for a 36-yard, go-ahead touchdown pass to put the Seminoles ahead with 11:08 remaining in the fourth.

Uiagalelei completed 16 of 27 passes for 177 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Another improvement for the Seminoles came in a running game which ranked 132nd in the nation entering the week. Lawrance Toafili ran for 80 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries as the Seminoles ran for a season-high 107 yards overall.

–Field Level Media