Cal @ Washington State Open Thread - 1st Quarter
by ragnarok on Sep 6, 2008 3:00 PM PDT
in California Golden Bears Football
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PrintWelcome to the first of 4 open threads for today's game at Washington State. I hope you've all found some place to watch the game, but if you haven't, we'll be liveblogging the game in the comments section, so relax and hang out.
****** Programming Note ********
If you can't see the game, you might be able to see it webcast. Try this: http://www.channelsurfing.net/
Scroll down to find: NCAA Football – Washington State vs Cal 7:30PM EST 9/6
Currently it’s showing some ads and a soccer game. Hopefully by 3:30 we’ll see some Cal ownage.
************************************
Before we get to the game, though, I want to empty the notebook from the Michigan State game. If you've been around this site awhile, you know that I'm a stats guy almost to a fault. So when I got home from the game and saw that Michigan State had amassed 321 passing yards, I was definitely both disappointed and intrigued. Sure, we gave up some big plays, but I didn't remember our secondary being that porous. With the mindset of 'what gives?', I went to review the play-by-play to see what I could find.
Unlike HydroTech or CBKWit, I'm not looking at any game film when I'm writing these things. They're better at that sort of analysis anyway. I'm looking for effectiveness; namely, when Brian Hoyer dropped back to pass, how effective was Michigan State's offense? This means that I will be counting plays like pass interference, sacks, interceptions, and QB scrambles. I won't differentiate between Darian Hagan almost intercepting the ball and a wide-open MSU receiver simply dropping a pass; I'm concerned with results here -- did our pass defense get the job done, or do those 321 passing yards suggest we have reason to worry up in the Palouse today?
So, here's a drive-by-drive analysis of Michigan State's passing attack vs. our defense:
1st Quarter
Drive 1 : 10 plays, 18 yards, 3 1st downs (2 passing, 1 offsides penalty), punt.
2/6 passing for 7 yards.
In essence, you could call this first Spartan drive a microcosm of their offensive effort on the day. They were minimally successful running the ball, and when forced to go to the pass, they were only sporadically successful; big plays did happen, but not often enough, and mistakes ultimately doomed MSU to failure.
Hoyer starts out passing well, hitting 2 of his first 3 passes for 11 yards each and a couple first downs. But good coverage on 1st and 25 causes offensive pass interference, putting MSU into a 1st and 40 situation, and passes on 2nd and 3rd and 30 both fall incomplete.
Drive 2 : 3 plays, -4 yards, 0 1st downs, punt.
0/2 passing for 0 yards.
Here the pass defense holds, as passes on 2nd and 3rd and long both fall incomplete. The ensuing punt is blocked and returned for a touchdown.
Drive 3 : 5 plays, 18 yards, 1 first down (passing), punt.
Drive 4 : 3 plays, 7 yards, 0 1st downs, punt.
2/3 passing for 15 yards.
The third drive starts out well, as Hoyer hits a 12 yard pass for a first down, but then it's run-run-pass-punt. Drive 4 is more of the same, as Hoyer can't convert on third and long.
1st Quarter Totals : 4/11 passing, 22 yards, 3 passing 1st downs.
2nd Quarter
Drive 1 : 9 plays, 40 yards, 3 1st downs (1 rushing, 1 passing, 1 face mask penalty), missed field goal.
2/4 passing for 31 yards.
Like their first drive of the game, this one starts out well, with the first two passes being completed for 9 and 22 yards, but once MSU picks up 1st and Goal, a couple incomplete passes kill the drive, and the Spartans settle for a field goal attempt, which they miss.
Drive 2 : 3 plays, -8 yards, 0 1st downs, punt.
0/3 passing for -8 yards.
Hoyer begins the drive by running backwards and fumbling. He recovers, but throws two more interceptions. The epitome of ineffectiveness.
Drive 3 : 7 plays, 69 yards, 4 1st downs (3 passing, 1 pass interference), interception.
4/7 passing for 55 yards and an interception.
With time running out in the half, MSU goes almost exclusively to the air, and they have quite a bit of success. (Note, I counted the pass interference as a 15-yard complete pass.) Unfortunately for the Spartans, all those yards are for naught as the defense eventually gets to Hoyer, forcing him to throw up a dying quail that Syd'Quan Thompson easily picks off.
2nd Quarter Totals : 6/14 passing, 78 yards, 5 passing 1st downs, 1 interception.
1st Half Totals : 10/25 passing, 100 yards, 8 passing 1st downs, 1 interception.
Really not a very impressive 1st half through the air. Almost all of Michigan State's 1st downs came via the pass, but the completion percentage was pretty terrible, which ended up killing most of the Spartans' drives. The interception, some dumb penalties, and a missed field goal helps the defense pitch a shutout in the first half.
3rd Quarter
Drive 1 : 4 plays, 12 yards, 1 1st down (rushing), touchdown.
0/0 passing.
A blocked punt gives Michigan State a short field, and the Spartans simply give it to Javon Ringer, who needs 4 plays to punch it in.
Drive 2 : 5 plays, 21 yards, 1 1st down (pass interference), punt.
2/3 passing for 17 yards.
Again, these passing numbers include a 7-yard pass interference call against the Bears. Another drive stalls due to an incomplete pass on 1st down and a pass short of the 1st on 3rd down.
3rd Quarter Totals : 2/3 passing, 17 yards, 1 passing 1st down.
4th Quarter
Drive 1 : 14 plays, 97 yards, 4 1st downs (3 passing, 1 roughing the punter penalty), touchdown.
4/8 passing for 67 yards.
Michigan state finally puts together a long touchdown drive, though they can't take all the credit; this drive had already stalled (due to a couple of incomplete passes) when a stupid roughing the punter penalty gave it new life. The Bears gave up complete passes of 19, 24, 11, and 13 yards, yet they still should have stopped this drive at their own 39 yard line.
Drive 2 : 5 plays, 59 yards, 1 1st down (passing), field goal.
1/3 passing for 52 yards.
This was the drive with the simultaneous catch, accounting for the lion's share of the yardage. Of course, once in field goal range, MSU's passing game fails again, with a couple of incomplete passes forcing a field goal try.
Drive 3 : 8 plays, 64 yards, 2 1st downs (2 passing), touchdown.
4/8 passing for 64 yards and a touchdown.
With their backs against the wall (down by 14 with less than 5 minutes to play), MSU didn't even bother to run the ball. Though they still only completed 50% of their passes, this was the first and only long, sustained scoring drive that the Spartans would put together. Passes complete for 14, 5, 16, and finally 29 yards, this was their best performance of the day, and the Cal pass defense's worst. More drives like this and Michigan State would have been trouble.
Drive 4 : 5 plays, 21 yards, 1 1st down (passing), turnover on downs.
1/5 passing for 21 yards.
Of course, the results of MSU's next hurry-up drive aren't as good, as Hoyer throws 4 straight incompletions from midfield to ice the game. Much, much better defense this time.
4th Quarter Totals : 10/24 passing, 211 yards, 7 passing 1st downs, 1 touchdown.
2nd Half Totals : 12/27 passing, 228 yards, 8 passing 1st downs, 1 touchdown.
Game Totals : 22/52 passing, 328 yards, 16 passing 1st downs, 1 touchdown, 1 interception.
Not great numbers overall. A lot of yards, but over a lot of attempts, and a completion percentage well below 50%, which led to a lot of stalled drives. With nothing doing on the ground, MSU went to the pass almost exclusively when they needed a 1st (they ran just once of 3rd or 4th down), and if you're completing less than half of your passes, that's not a recipie for success.
Statistically, Cal's pass defense gave up a bunch of yards, but they didn't give up a lot of points. Whatever you want to say about the yardage, or the number of long completions they gave up (15 of 20 complete passes went for 10 yards or more), they got the job done, and in the end, that's what matter.
****************
Anyway, that's something to take a look at as the Bears try to contain WSU's Brandon Gibson. Consider this your 1st Quarter Open Thread.
Go Bears!!!!! Beat the Cougs!!!!
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Interesting CougCenter thread about stopping Best and Vereen. Definitely worth a read!
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
So if you're like me and can't watch the game on TV
Try this: http://www.channelsurfing.net/
Scroll down to find: NCAA Football – Washington State vs Cal 7:30PM EST 9/6
Currently it’s showing some ads and a soccer game. Hopefully by 3:30 we’ll see some Cal ownage
In other words, Go Bears!
Hey guys, put this on every open thread.
by BearsNecessity on Sep 6, 2008 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions
I got that same "not authorized" message on channel 400
but they’re showing the “Cal Sports Highlights” thing on channel 99, so I think they might have the game there even though the guide says “local access programming”.
The A's colors are green and gold.
Whats the flag for?
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
If they lose bc the 35 yard XP is missed thatd suck
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
that ball wouldn’t have made it over the OL anyways, that kick was a miss no matter what
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
he might have kicked it differently had it been a chip shot but that still doesn’t mean the kick would have been good.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
NAKAMURA GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL
….doesn’t look like the cal game is going to be webcast
The site says 7:30 EST as the start time. Weird
Make me proud again Hen
by AndYourBirdCanSing on Sep 6, 2008 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Really what is it with punishing celebrations
I can understand punishing insulting other fans or players or stuff like that but celebrating a potentially game tying TD with your teammates should NOT be punished
In other words, Go Bears!
This is the whitest announcing group ever!
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
TD for ECU!
Bill Stewart is thinking: “Gee whiz, they just pushed us into the endzone, dadgummit!”
Does anybody else think Paul Wulff looks like Mr. PotatoHead?
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
I just bought my dad a Vote For Pedro shirt. When I mentioned tht Billy Beane was wearing one, he said he loved those shirts. That movie has quite a cult following.
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
zz
Did the announcer just say “Blue Skies, CockNBalls”
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
It’s on channelsurfing!
Make me proud again Hen
by AndYourBirdCanSing on Sep 6, 2008 3:42 PM PDT reply actions
What is ChannelSurfing again?
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
LOL, so Washington State has a chance to stop Best right?
Make me proud again Hen
by AndYourBirdCanSing on Sep 6, 2008 3:46 PM PDT reply actions
TOUUUUCHHHHHDOOOOOOOWNNNNNNNN!!!!
Go Bears!
by RollOnYouBears667 on Sep 6, 2008 3:46 PM PDT reply actions
1st-10, Cal20 J. Best rushed up the middle for 80 yard touchdown
it’s gonna be a good day.
by the federer express on Sep 6, 2008 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions
It says Best is from Vallejo. I thought he was from Richmond?
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Best went to school at Salesian, which is in richmond?
by disabled-sheep on Sep 6, 2008 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Good pursuit by Brett Johnson
do you guys have your rosters open?
http://calbears.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/cal-m-footbl-mtt-num.html
watching the game from class
yes, I have a class on saturday….
by the federer express on Sep 6, 2008 3:48 PM PDT reply actions
I thought WSU was from the Pac-Ten?
So far, we might as well be playing a high school.
Go Bears!
by RollOnYouBears667 on Sep 6, 2008 3:49 PM PDT reply actions
stupid delay
channelsurfing is slow. oh well, better than nothing.
by the federer express on Sep 6, 2008 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions
deboskie!
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Now that's just rude.
We’re the last team other than you to win the Pac-10 title, so don’t bring that weak crap in here.
uhhhh
Cal 2006.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
by CBKWit on Sep 6, 2008 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
there is no tie breaker
it’s a split. “co-champions”. But you’re right, they have won a pac 10 title this decade, which, considering sc’s run, is pretty impressive.
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
You are technically correct
But the tiebreaker determined who went to the Rose Bowl. But I feel you. I’m more impressed by SC’s ability to make this run more than anything else, especially after the parity that preceded it.
FUCK YOU RAGNAROK! IM HANGING OUT AND IM A DICK!
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Link?
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Here you go
Maybe you can actually make someone say something.
http://www.cougcenter.com/2008/9/6/606542/game-thread-california-at#comments
Ridiculous
This is awesome. Let’s hope the team doesn’t let up, as they’ve sometimes done in previous seasons when getting a lead.
Whoah.
I just switched back to ESPN. East Carolina is beating Virginia Tech 24-3! What is this world coming to?
Go Bears!
by RollOnYouBears667 on Sep 6, 2008 3:52 PM PDT reply actions
If this was last year
Ohio state and BYU would have lost too :(
by disabled-sheep on Sep 6, 2008 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions
my bad.
but still. what the fuck? ECU beating WVU?
Go Bears!
by RollOnYouBears667 on Sep 6, 2008 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions
What about an unsportslike conduct penalty to lose the game?
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Don't remind me.
96 was my sophomore year, and 97 was my junior year. shiver
More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/
Alualu is going to be a superstud by the end of his Cal career!
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Is Decoud returning punts today?
Go Bears!
by RollOnYouBears667 on Sep 6, 2008 3:56 PM PDT reply actions
Isn’t he in the NFL
Make me proud again Hen
by AndYourBirdCanSing on Sep 6, 2008 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions
don't get ahead of yourself, now.
I’ve seen 14-0 leads vanish pretty quickly.
Go Bears!
by RollOnYouBears667 on Sep 6, 2008 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Don't mess with the Woofing Gods
It’s still Cal playing in Pullman. Washington State is apparently awful, but I don’t want to relax early in the first quarter.
I missed the first minute and a half
and apparently everything. Caught the tail end of the second TD on the radio…thought it was a joke.
man, this broadcast is so low-tech, there’s not even any yellow line for the first down.
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
Meh. I’m in NY and I’m thankful for anything I can get
Make me proud again Hen
by AndYourBirdCanSing on Sep 6, 2008 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I just got back from Argentina v. Paraguay in a world cup qualifier...
And couldn’t be happier to see this on the web.
Go Sox!
Rough pass by Riley there. Dude was wide open!
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
are they really this bad?
Go Bears!
by RollOnYouBears667 on Sep 6, 2008 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions
No
The Michigan State game is evidence of that.
The Cougars must be really bad.
Michigan State
is a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten team, playing on the road. They’re not bad, but they’re not anything special.
These announcers are really misinformed
“Kevin” Mack? Tyson Alulu? Deboskie instead of Young? Come on, guys.
Is the thread slowing for you guys? Do we need ANOTHER thread?
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
first quarter thread part 2?
Go Bears!
by RollOnYouBears667 on Sep 6, 2008 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions
You’re not the only one, I thought they got a first down, but it was just 3rd and 7…
by NYinCalifornia on Sep 6, 2008 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions
sack!
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
RemorsefulBruinBabe:
“Rogers has a nice butt…I couldn’t help it, the shiny silver pants drew my eye”
www.californiagoldenblogs.com
Oski looks pregnant!
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
The announcers
Do they have one Cal guy (Pawlawski) and one WSU guy (who knows?) along with the play-by-play guy?
The WSU guy is Gesser.
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Good punt by that guy.
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Hey, do any of the other Marshawnthusiasts have a 2nd quarter thread ready to go or should I prepare one?
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Anger must still be injured.
"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
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Golden Bears Football Schedule
| Fresno St. | Sat 09/03 | W 36 - 21 |
@
Colorado
|
Sat 09/10 | W 36 - 33 |
| Presbyterian | Sat 09/17 | W 63 - 12 |
|
@
Washington
|
Sat 09/24 | L 23 - 31 |
|
@
Oregon
|
Thu 10/06 | L 15 - 43 |
|
USC
|
Thu 10/13 | L 9 - 30 |
|
Utah
|
Sat 10/22 | W 34 - 10 |
|
@
UCLA
|
Sat 10/29 | L 14 - 31 |
|
Washington St.
|
Sat 11/05 | W 30 - 7 |
|
Oregon St.
|
Sat 11/12 | W 23 - 6 |
|
@
Stanford
|
Sat 11/19 | L 28 - 31 |
|
@
Arizona St.
|
Fri 11/25 | W 47 - 38 |
|
@
Texas
|
Wed 12/28 | L 10 - 21 |
Pacific-12 Conference Standings
(updated 1.2.2012 at 11:12 PM PST)
| North | Conf | Overall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
|
Oregon Ducks
|
8 | 1 | 12 | 2 |
|
Stanford Cardinal
|
8 | 1 | 11 | 2 |
|
Washington Huskies
|
5 | 4 | 7 | 6 |
|
California Golden Bears
|
4 | 5 | 7 | 6 |
|
Oregon St. Beavers
|
3 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
|
Washington St. Cougars
|
2 | 7 | 4 | 8 |
| South | Conf | Overall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
|
USC Trojans
|
7 | 2 | 10 | 2 |
|
UCLA Bruins
|
5 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
|
Utah Utes
|
4 | 5 | 8 | 5 |
|
Arizona St. Sun Devils
|
4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|
Arizona Wildcats
|
2 | 7 | 4 | 8 |
|
Colorado Buffaloes
|
2 | 7 | 3 | 10 |
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