Cal ready, rested to host No. 19 Oregon
While the Cal football team was savoring its bye week, its incoming opponent was suffering a devastating, improbable loss after building a 17-point halftime lead against Stanford.
The unbeaten No. 24 Golden Bears (3-0) entertain No. 19 Oregon (3-1) in a Pac-12 game on Saturday in Berkeley.
Two weeks ago, Cal topped FCS opponent Idaho State 45-23, following a hard-fought win at BYU and a victory over North Carolina by a touchdown at home. The Bears, after their bye week, elevated into the AP Top 25, mostly on the strength of that win over BYU, which has a victory at Wisconsin.
However, Cal was dealt a dose of bad news last week when it learned linebacker Cameron Goode would be out for the season with a lower-body injury.
“It’s an unfortunate part of this game,” second-year Cal head coach Justin Wilcox said.
“I really feel for him because he puts a lot into this game. … He’ll go through that process of not being able to play this year. After that, it’s a pretty short window, then you start working toward what’s next.”
Wilcox expects Goode to be ready for 2019 spring practice.
Goode will be missed, but the defense has continued its upswing under Wilcox, the former Wisconsin defensive coordinator. That includes linebackers Jordan Kunaszyk (1.5 sacks, 28 tackles) and Evan Weaver (team-high 39 tackles).
Jaylinn Hawkins has been a boon to the secondary with a team-high three interceptions.
Hawkins and the secondary have their work cut out for them, with NFL quarterback prospect Justin Herbert guiding the Ducks. Against Stanford (in a 38-31 overtime loss), Herbert went 26 of 33 for 346 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. That one pick was by Stanford’s Alameen Murphy in the end zone in OT to end it.
But Herbert is a challenge for sure, having thrown for 1,186 yards, with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions this season.
Cal started the season with Ross Bowers at quarterback but has begun utilizing both Brandon McIlwain and redshirt freshman Chase Garbers. Against Idaho State, Garbers was mostly on-point, going 20 for 25 with 224 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception. McIlwain — a dual-threat quarterback — had 45 passing yards and 29 rushing.