I’m pleased with their effort. I feared a blowout as many were predicting. Yes, Cal was penalized but that can happen when you play a crazy fast defense who has more talent than you. We nearly tied the game up and the score was 10-3 going into the final quarter.

I might also be the only Cal fan who likes both Longshore and Riley. I think Riley gets over-amped and tries to do to much this leads to decisions like what we saw at the end of the game at OSU last year (sorry), the overthrows, and the non-sliding while scrambling. I think he’s very talented and could be a great one in the future. I like Longshore’s audibles at the LOS and his ability to lead the team. His slow footed-ness is less of a problem because he usually seems to either throw the ball away or step up and take a hit. This year, perhaps in effort to win the gig, it seems like he throws the ball away less and perhaps forces some throws.

The playcalling was interesting (and frustrating). USC was absolutely BEGGING us to pass the ball the entire 1st half. They consistently played cover 1 (OK, so maybe that’s all you need if you have a guy like Mays back there…) and left big gaps for receivers and seams for QBs. They had no respect for our passing game, none. I don’t think Cignetti took advantage of that until the 2nd quarter, when we finally completed an out (which took advantage of the soft DB technique on our slot receiver). But overall USC knew that they could put 8 (sometimes even 9!) defenders in the box without much risk.

It seemed like the playcalling really became more aggressive in the 2nd half. The plays were there! But our Bears just couldn’t take advantage of it. It reminded me so much of Texas Tech in ‘04—the playcalling (I still think) was good, but the players just couldn’t execute.

Longshore’s 2nd pick was just a horrible decision—he threw where there wasn’t a window (3 USC defenders, 1 Cal WR) and ignored the fact that he had numbers on the opposite side of the field. I thought he was just looking off the safety, but no he actually thew it there! I was so frustrated after that play! For a guy that understands the offense, I just don’t get why he would try to make that throw.

Not to say Riley was any better. As I mentioned, the playcalling really opened up in the 2nd half, and Riley tried to take advantage. But a good decision plus poor accuracy means bad result. The turning point of the game was the tipped INT in the endzone—I don’t think Riley saw the DB lurking in the throwing lane. The USC DB was playing far off of Boateng and gave up inside position pretty easily, so it makes me think Petey was luring Riley into trying to make that throw.

Overall such a frustrating offensive game to watch. I hope the Bears can pull it together for next week!

Hydro, I was not overly disappointed. There were a lot of positives.

The Defense kept the game winnable.
The Offense kept the defense off the field.
Our best chance was winning the turnover battle and this almost worked.
We had a conservative game plan and stuck with it.

As I’ve said, I think OSU will find it difficult to score on Cal’s defense. I particularly liked the focus of the team in the face of a very tough opponent. I think that speaks well of our chances of winning out. 9-3 + Holiday Bowl = good year.

Our chances to win this one were low. This isn’t like losing to Oregon State last year or Arizona in 2006. A winnable one, but once we started making mistakes it was over. It’s to our credit that the Trojans didn’t blow us out outgaining us 3 to 1 in total yards and 6 to 1 in rushing yards.

That the QB debating post game has been fairly light compared to earlier this season.

Do still hate that the only meaningful touchdown in this game bounced like 5 times and yet wasn’t reviewed. Should be over it in 9 more months.

Sorry Seth and Olsonist I have to say this.

Riley is going to kill his receivers. His tendency to overthrow has caused our WRs and Morrah to jump high to catch it and when people like Malaluga or Cushing see that they salivate. This puts the WRs at a really dangerous spot and at a MUCH higher spot to get hurt seriously. Of course this also avoids INTs but it’s still not good…

[caveat is that I was at the game and did not have the benefit of replays or commentary]

1. I thought Mack had a pretty bad game. He looked responsible for a couple of illegal snaps (faking or stuttering with the snap), I think he also moved his shoulders on another snap causing a false start, and he had the bad snap when Jhavid was lined up as the QB. As the only “healthy; OLman and as the senior All-American on this team, he needed to "set the tone” and have a much better game. Disappointed in his performance.

2. The O-Line flat out got hammered (this is connected to your point of no running game, but I think it needs separate recognition). I know it’s not anyone’s fault because there are essentially 3rd stringers and people playing out of position, but they got their asses kicked by the USC D-Line. They were getting no space for the backs, and giving no time for the QBs to work.

3. Was Tedford slow on challenging Phantom Touchdown II. I know SC kicked the extra point quickly, but it sure looked like a bounce from the other end zone (where I was at essentially) so why didn’t Tedford get in a ref’s face to challenge? This was a huge play that should have been reversed.

4. I know the refs sucked both ways on calls, but it seemed that they had a directive to err on SC’s side on 50/50 calls. With Penn State losing earlier in the day, I think the PAC 10 had an agenda to get USC closer to the Nat’l Champ. game, as unlikely as that may be – but maybe I’m just pissed b/c every call seems to go against Cal’s way on the most critical plays.

Thoughts?

I believe that the player you’re referring to in item 9 was Everson Griffen. While the Conquest Chronicles game thread is less populated that CBG, we wanted him benched for the rest of the game for that hit on Riley. Cheap and stupid.

I would like to apologize for my combative language last night. It was a tough loss to take and I think it upset everyone. If I launched any personal attacks, please accept my sincere apology. After skimming through the game again today (sober) it is obvious Kevin had a really rough game. Nate was also having a rough game. I think it is safe to say both QB’s have some serious issues. I am done arguing Nate v Kevin. Whomever Coach Tedford goes with from now on is fine with me. I still hope we make it to the Holiday Bowl, but even if we don’t, things could always be worse… Just look at poor o’l Tennessee, LOL.

Our D played very well. Yes, Carroll was conservative and made sure that Sanchez didn’t throw any picks (although the one Worrell dropped could have been a game changer), yes Syd whiffed on a bunch of tackles, yes we gave up big chunks of yardage several times on 1st and 3rd downs, but they kept us in the game. Giving up 17 to SC is more than acceptable, but we will not win any game when we score only three points.

The mistakes on offense – especially the untimely penalties, interceptions turned over by SC penalties, hanging our receivers out to dry on high and/or late throws – made it virtually impossible to win. And it is amazing how big and fast the SC guys are. They filled all the gaps and closed on all the floated passes, outside runs, and screen passes with blinding speed.

We were absolutely dominated by their defense, but they made enough stupid mistakes to keep us in it until late.

The good news? We get SC at home next year in October instead of November.

And I gave back all my college football winnings today when I lost EVERY SINGLE FOOTBALL BET I made today.

For some reason these things bother me more than Cal’s performance yesterday. I think this is a bad thing.

I’d be happy to make it there this year, not only because it would exceed my preseason expectations for this young team, but because we have a real chance at playing a solid Oklahoma St. or Missouri teams. (maybe even Oklahoma, Texas, or Texas Tech?) Should be a great game.