GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Cal QB Brandon McIlwain is facing an overmatched secondary that just allowed Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew to go to town. Minshew completed 75 percent of his passes for 430 yards and five touchdowns with no picks. Of course, Washington State’s passing game is much different than Cal’s. But the question remains: Is the Oregon State secondary a reprieve and a chance to gain confidence for McIlwain? Or is McIlwain a reprieve and a chance to gain confidence for the Oregon State secondary? We’ll find out this week.
DRAFT SLANT
–LB Jordan Kunaszyk was an anchor for the Cal defense on Saturday, amassing a game-high 22 tackles (including two for loss). Kunaszyk and Evan Weaver have been critical veterans, not just for the linebacker corps but the defense in general. Kunaszyk and Weaver have to be on-point this week to help stop Oregon State’s Jermar Jefferson on the ground. NFLDraftScout.com rates Kunaszyk as the 15th-best senior inside linebacker for the 2019 draft.
ROSTER REPORT
–RB Derrick Clark is questionable for the Oregon State game with a lower-body injury.
–LB Cameron Goode is out for the season with a leg injury.
–RB Johnny Adams Jr. is out for the season with a lower-body injury.
–LB Gerran Brown is out for the season with a lower-body injury.
–OL Henry Bazakas is questionable for the Oregon State game with a lower-body injury.
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