Bears Beat the Golden Gophers

In a huge game today, Cal beat the Golden Gophers of the Big Ten. Jahvid Best rushed for five touchdowns, and they get great game-day coverage all day. Kevin Riley has a great 4th quarter to bring the Bears back from a 21-21 tie to win by 14.

So, all sounds good. But there were some issues today that the Bears have to work on.

First, in typical Cal fashion, they focused on something that they wanted to focus on, and did great. They did not want to come out flat, so they kicked some serious ass in the first quarter. Jahvid Best had a huge first half, with 3 TDs, and over 120 yards. But starting in the second quarter, the Bears let up a bit, and the Minnesota GGs had a way to get back into the game. Minnesota's offense started to get untracked and their QB started connecting with their All American wide receiver. While the Bears were strong against the run (less than 50 yards) the Gophers were doing well on occasion with their passing game.

Don't get me wrong. The Bears should have dominated this game. They were more physical than these guys, and they were more talented. They had more yards passing, rushing and three interceptions. They rushed against a team that is great against the rush. In the 4th quarter, when they needed it, Kevin Riley stepped up and made the plays to beat the Big 10 team on the road.

But they did not look dominant from end to end. I think that is something about the Bears, and something about Minnesota.

First, about Minnesota. They are better than I thought, and certainly better than the teams we have played (and, yes, Maryland lost to Middle Tennessee State today, so...). They were tough in their passing game, with what I would say was a truly heroic effort by their receiver, Decker (8 catches for 119 yards). Cal will not face another receiver like that this year, I do not believe. Even after he split his chin open on a great hit by Cattouse, But he held on to score. This was an electric game for Minnesota, that I think will launch them to probably a pretty good season. They had a big, electric vibe going at their new stadium, against the highest ranked team that they will face this year, and the Bears held up well. But they will be all right, is my guess, as they move through the Big Ten.

For the Bears, they were good enough and talented enough to win by 28 or 35 against this team. But they were inconsistent with their pressure. My guess is that they thought Minnesota would fold, and when they did not, luckily for the Bears they had enough to come back and win.

What the Bears are not used to is being the USC -like target. Cal has huge expectations this year. They need to come through games like this and win, but also to be aware that everyone they play from now on - they will be the highest ranked team that they face. And they will be gunning for the Bears.

There were some miscommunications on the defense, some burned d-back coverages. But all in all, the Bears showed a pretty dominant defense, with three guys collapsing the line on pass rush, and holding the running game to under 50 yards. The offense was pretty efficient, with no INTs and only losing one fumble when it bounced off of a Cal player on a punt.

Speacking of Special teams....UGG!!! I think this was a particularly bad day. But there was the one punt where it was muffed, there was a lack of coverage on the kickoff coverage team, and there was an issue with a snap or hold or something which made the kicker to stutter step on a field goal attempt and miss. There was also a hit on a punt return which the referees called for a helmet to helmet hit, which was a lousy call, and probably in and of itself was the cause of a 14 point swing.

Even barring all of that, the Bears were victorious. So, I guess I am happy. But there is a long way to go.

GO BEARS!!