What Are the Greatest Cal Football Runs of All Time?
by Avinash on Oct 20, 2009 7:00 PM PDT
in Football
62 comments
Hard not to argue that Jahvid Best's 93 yard touchdown run definitely put itself into the annals of greatest Cal runs. Everything about that play--the Kevin Riley block, the six to seven whiffs by Bruins depending on who you count, good enough man blocking to give Best plenty of open space to evade the tackles, Matt Summers-Gavin knocking Jerzy Siewierski down not once but twice, Brian Price flailing in pursuit before ultimately giving up, poor Alterraun Verner getting juked out and burned again (not his finest game)--places this one into Cal football lore.
So readers, we want to know what you think: Where does this rank among the greatest Golden Bearfootball runs of all time? And what are the greatest Cal football runs you've ever witnessed or experienced whether at the game or on TV? We've had so many stud athletes, like Lindsey Chapman, Russell White, Deltha, Joe Igber, Arrington, Marshawn, Desean, Forsett, Jet, plus all the others in between, let us know your best! Rec your favorites and we'll list the most rec'd in a future post! Bonus points for any video you can scrounge up.
Note--kick returns and punt returns count, as do wide receiver runs--anything where one player had to do all or most of the running is what we're looking for.
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Hmmm...
Note—kick returns and punt returns count, as do wide receiver runs—anything where one player had to do all or most of the running is what we’re looking for.
Are you intentionally trying to keep The Play out of this discussion?
by calgbear on Oct 20, 2009 7:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes. Only because it’d win immediately. I’m talking about one player’s individual run.
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by Avinash on Oct 20, 2009 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd put this somewhere in the top-10
The DeSean Jackson PR against Tennessee in 2007. There were some great blocks on that run and the way he sidestepped/faked out the two Tennessee defenders was fantastic.
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by Berkelium97 on Oct 20, 2009 7:22 PM PDT reply actions 6 recs
Definitely
Not only that, but the fact that it was the first return of the season, there was so much anticipation, the TV commentary from Musburger and Herbstriet. And DeSean takes it to the house. The moments in sports where you KNOW something is going to happen that is amazing and it DOES are few and far between, and this was one of them.
by abaddon on Oct 20, 2009 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
Although my detailed memory of great runs is admittedly limited, De Sean’s return immediately came to mind…it was stunning…but so was Best last weekend…equals??
by TKE Prytanis 79 on Oct 20, 2009 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Honorable mention
Djax’s return against Oregon 2006
This is when I knew 2006 was going to be magical
In other words, Go Bears!
by royrules22 on Oct 20, 2009 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was fucking sweet.
dboneisloose
by HolmoePhobe on Oct 20, 2009 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I voted Jahvid's run # 1
The combination of moves, speed, making guys miss, distance made this number 1 for me as I thought about it.
Here are some of my memorable ones, in no particular order:
- Russell White 98 yard KO return vs. Miami, 1990: 1st time he touched the ball in Memorial Stadium. It absolutely electrified the crowd and, dare I say, energized the entire season. If memory serves, it was the first KO return for a TD by Cal since The Play.
- Lindsey Chapman zig zagging TD run vs. Oregon, 1993: This was “The Miracle at Memorial” game. Chapman’s run came at the start of the second half, to cut Oregon’s lead to 30-14, I believe. Chapman took a backwards pass and did the rest, weaving his way for the score.
- JJ Arrington vs. Oregon 2004: This one was not a TD, but I remember this as one of JJ’s great plays that year. It was the last play of the 3rd quarter. JJ took a handoff and went right and disappeared into a pile. Crowd thinks play is over. But then JJ emerges from the scrum and runs for about a 40 yard gain.
- Marshawn Lynch, Big Game 2004: I almost went with this one as # 1. This run was totes awesome. Beast Mode got away in the backfield, went left, got a great block from Aaron Rodgers downfield, and cut back, eventually scoring all the way across the field at the right corner of the end zone. It’s the run I remember most from Beast Mode.
- Desean Jackson, punt return vs. Oregon 2006: The reverse field made it memorable.
- Desean Jackson, punt return vs. Ucla 2006: Had to list this one even though what makes it great isn’t necessarily Desean. It was DeCoud’s block that made this special.
- Desean Jackson, punt return vs. Tennessee 2007: The moves were sick. Basically speaks for itself.
- Jahvid Best vs. Ucla 2008: The end around were he faked the one guy out of his cleats and dove into the end zone for the TD down the right sideline. I enjoyed this one a lot.
Special mention, but prolly shouldn’t count because it was called back by a bullshit nonexistent penalty call likely orchestrated by Mack Brown and his cronies penalty: JJ Arrington, 2004 vs. Southern Miss. JJ bounced off a bunch of guys on his way to the end zone. It would have been a signature run of his career had it not been stolen called back.
Praise be to Tedford!
by Ohio Bear on Oct 20, 2009 7:29 PM PDT reply actions 6 recs
Big Game 2004: Marshawn’s 55 yard (more like 155 yard) TD run at 0:37.
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by Berkelium97 on Oct 20, 2009 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Desean Jackson, punt return vs. Ucla 2006: Had to list this one even though what makes it great isn’t necessarily Desean. It was DeCoud’s block that made this special.
Oh, agreed. DeCoud’s nearly fatal block on one of those bosworths is just epic, as is the stutter-step, wiggly-walk face plant the kid did halfway to the sideline. I swear even I saw the little birds circling his head.
My #1 is Lynch’s Big Game run with White’s kickoff return a close 2nd.
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It's spelled J-etc
by SoCal Oski on Oct 20, 2009 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was thinking the same thing......
JJ Arrington, 2004 vs. Southern Miss
But then got depressed because a) it was called back, and b) was needed to convince the voters to give us the nudge. Dang.
I'd like to smell the Roses before I die.
by BTown85 on Oct 21, 2009 10:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m thinking there’s a couple Marshawn Lynch runs against UDub in 2006 as well as his TD run through the entire UCLA D (twice almost) that could all qualify for the top ten.
Cal Football: It could happen!
by CalBandGreat on Oct 20, 2009 7:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
some of my favorite runs are not the big highlight reel ones.
- Holley this year agaist Maryland for about 7 yds and a first down with two guys on his back.
- Best 80 yard offtackle run against wash st. last year to open the game.
- Lots and lots of Lynch, Forsett, Arrington, White, etc. for 8 – 10 yds, tackled by the first guy to touch them…..
Go Bears Go
by Rocksanddirt on Oct 20, 2009 7:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Can I nominate Jim Jurkovich’s 100-yard interception return against USC in 1940? He was my dad’s second cousin, and that run is legendary in my family.
by CalBear81 on Oct 20, 2009 7:56 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Could you describe what happened?
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by Avinash on Oct 20, 2009 8:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like I said, it’s legendary. Meaning, I’m not aware of any film, and I have heard various versions from various family members who were at the game. According to Jim, the receiver stumbled in the end zone and he was “lucky” enough to catch the ball, made a totally stupid decision to bring the ball out of the end zone, and then got great blocking from his teammates. According to various other family members, he dramatically jumped in front of the receiver to intercept the ball and single-handedly broke four, or six, or eight tackles on his run back. Take your pick. It’s undisputed that he caught the ball 5 yards deep in the end zone and ran it back for a TD, and instead of a 7-7 tie, Cal was suddenly up 14-0. We won 20-7.
Jim Jurkovich was a great athlete, with terrible luck. While at Fresno High, he was the California State High School Player of the Year for 1938. Other winners of that award have included Frankie Albert, Jackie Jensen, Paul Larsen, Marcus Allen, John Elway, Russell White, Desean Jackson, Toby Gerhart and (gulp) Aaron Corp. He was also a tremendous track athlete, particularly in sprints and the long jump. He was expected to be one of the great running backs at Cal (he also played defense and was an excellent punter), but unfortunately he suffered repeated concussions, and missed a lot of games. In his junior year his doctors told him to give up football, but he was cleared to play his senior year – only to be knocked cold with another concussion in the first quarter of his final Big Game. Even so, he was drafted by the Chicago Bears. Bad luck again, he was also drafted by the U.S. Army to serve in WW II, so no NFL. He was also expected to make the US Olympic team in track for the 1940 Olympics — but those Olympics were canceled, also because of WWII. But he was never bitter about his bad luck. He got his degree in engineering and became a structural engineer, specializing in bridges. (Imagine playing football and working on an engineering degree at the same time – definitely a different era.) His 100 yard TD run in 1940 turned out to be the biggest highlight of his football career.
by CalBear81 on Oct 21, 2009 12:10 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
(Imagine playing football and working on an engineering degree at the same time – definitely a different era.)
Joe Igber has mad respect for the old school.
"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.
It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0
by AERose on Oct 21, 2009 12:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
1940, huh?
*clears throat *
Seee? This mug hood Jim “Turkey Jerky” Jurkovich was fittin’ to be a goalline ringer. The QB, Zippy “The Mackerel” Maccleston, the big cheese on that team, did a double turn, seee? He jimmy-shanked the pigskin leftward to Turkey Jurkey and hooked an end around pattern with the Mackerel clearin’ the tracks like the 4:15 to Witchita. Turkey Jurkey jukes one lineback, and eyes the goalposts at the other end like a boxcar bum stares down a two-tine meat fork stickin’ into a prime rib. The Mackerel was no sap, he blocked left, he block right, he blocked up, he blocked down, he woulda blocked his own muddah from her rockin chair if it meant Turkey Jerky’d get to the endzone.
Anyway Turkey Jurkey is holdin’ the pigskin tighter than an ugly fella holds onto a dame in a red dress down at the gin mill, if ya know what I’m sayin’. In comes the cornerback, the safety, they all try and drop him like a sack of potatoes, but this guy was hard boiled, he stiff-arms ‘em right in the kisser, seeee? Turkey Jerky makes the whole of the defense look like they’re a buncha saps ossified on giggle water, if youse knows what I means.
Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, The Mackerel was so loopy from all the noggin crunches he took from blockin’ he probably couldn’t pick up a sloshed broad with a pitchfork, if ya catch my drift. That leaves one man for Turkey Jerky to beat, and wouldn’t ya know it, he hurdles him like a runaway barrel jumps over the train tracks. He’s in the endzone dancin the Jitterbug and the Charleston. The ref didn’t throw any celebration flags or nothin, he joined in the shenanigans because he’d never seen anything like it. The Bears had won the game all thanks to Turkey Jerky’s amazing touchdown. The most flim-flammin, swell, ridiculous, amazing, skippin, trippin, frantastic play youse ever did lay your eyes on in college football.
And that, my friends, is how CalBear81’s dad’s second cousin won that game for the Bears in 1940.
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. What happens in California makes the world go round.
by Spazzy Mcgee on Oct 21, 2009 1:23 AM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
He jimmy-shanked the pigskin
I got jimmy-shanked once, and I was sore for a week
Anyway Turkey Jurkey is holdin’ the pigskin tighter than an ugly fella holds onto a dame in a red dress down at the gin mill, if ya know what I’m sayin’.
Well, I know what gin is, but what’s a dame?
Rec’d for old-tyme story tellin’.
Costs assessed against Twist
by CALumbus Bear on Oct 21, 2009 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thank you for providing the details and clarification that I have always wanted!
by CalBear81 on Oct 21, 2009 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, that depressed me.
President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!
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by TwistNHook on Oct 20, 2009 8:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mar-Mar-Mar-Shawn Lynch! … rumble young man, rumble.
by CaliforniaCMB on Oct 20, 2009 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ohio Bear took all the good ones!
Two that might merit inclusion:
Marshawn in his freshman year against Air Force – I don’t remember down and distance (over 60 yards at least) – he runs into a pile for no gain. . . and then all of a sudden pops out the other side and buh-buh-buh-gone!
Okay, this is a pass reception, but it was a simple 5 yard out to DJax vs. Oregon at Oregon (the year DeSean beat Oregon basically by himself) DJax turns upfield, gives a NASTY stop-start fake to the defender (Byrd?) and coasts to the end zone. He calls the fake “The Hawk”
by LeonPowe on Oct 20, 2009 8:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
One more Jahvid
@ Colorado State when he ran over DeSean Jackson on the way to the end zone.
by LeonPowe on Oct 20, 2009 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I was going to put the Marshawn run against Air Force as well.
That run to me started Cal’s pretty crazy streak of having arguably the most awesome and exciting big-play player in the country (Marshawn ==> DJax ==> Jahvid).
Also, I wrote my first Daily Cal column about that run, and it holds up amazingly well. So it has so sentimental value.
by Tedfordisgod on Oct 21, 2009 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why does the subheadline say “Kevin Is Also Not Human”???????
Third-Stringer Could Be Bears’ Lynch-Pin
Kevin is also not quite human. Tell him what you think at sports@dailycal.org.
Also, was Lynch the 3rd stringer then?
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by TwistNHook on Oct 21, 2009 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that is just a weird formatting error with the website. That line was the postscript at the end of the column.
And yes, he was third string at that point behind Arrington and Terrell Williams.
by Tedfordisgod on Oct 21, 2009 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So…………………you are human?
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by TwistNHook on Oct 21, 2009 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not all of them....
I REALLY like DeSean’s TD catch and run against Oregon in 2007 where the DB was SURE he had the angle on him to take him out of bounds, and DJ just bolted right by him AND his jock strap for a TD.
Also REALLY like Marshawn’s OT TD against Washington at Memorial. Guys looked like they were standing still. Not the best ever, but a nice one for sure.
I'd like to smell the Roses before I die.
by BTown85 on Oct 21, 2009 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jahvid’s was definitely one of the best of all time, but I’m going to have to go with Marshawn Lynch’s run in the Big Game 2004.
Besides, look at the awesome block that Aaron Rodgers throws! (Must not make joke about how even Kevin Riley’s blocks are overthrown)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnWHRERvnaE
Act all day, dance all night. Let's get it poppin'... I'm in Bombay, trick!
by Rishi on Oct 20, 2009 8:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Also
I’m a big fan of this run by JJ Arrington (see 3:00)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6GJeROTSGA
(Warning, most of the video is dedicated to fellating Reggie Bush)
Act all day, dance all night. Let's get it poppin'... I'm in Bombay, trick!
by Rishi on Oct 20, 2009 8:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That's the one I describe above
Looks like it was a 45-yard gain. Great run.
Praise be to Tedford!
by Ohio Bear on Oct 20, 2009 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Desean Jackson against Colorado State
I think this one is really impressive because it’s less about shiftiness and blocking and more just straight “DAMN HE’S FAST!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ReH-2mHVaE
Plus, remember when Desean was a Heisman candidate?
Act all day, dance all night. Let's get it poppin'... I'm in Bombay, trick!
by Rishi on Oct 20, 2009 9:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
A few more Jahvid runs that can't be overlooked
Prolly not in “best ever” discussion, but they’re memorable:
- 2007 vs. Tennessee: The 2nd quarter carry where Best gains about 34 yds down the right side toward the north end zone. It was, I believe, his 2nd career carry and he showed a glimpse of what we could expect. It really was an impressive run, looking back on it, given Tennessee’s team speed on defense.
- 2007 vs. Colorado State: The 63 yard TD in 4th quarter where Best took the misdirection pitch, ran left, bounced off two or three would-be tacklers, and then turned on the speed.
- 2008 vs. Arizona: Burst up the middle, then off to the races. Set up his blocks well, too, and then dove into the end zone at the end.
- 2009 vs. Maryland: The 72 yard TD. Not only did he show speed, he showed patience to set up Tucker’s block. And at that time, it was such an exciting moment because of all the anticipation leading up to the start of this season.
- 2009 vs. Minnesota: The first of his 5 TDs, the one where he dives Superman like into the corner of the end zone.
Praise be to Tedford!
by Ohio Bear on Oct 20, 2009 9:19 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Linkies
The aforementioned Colorado State run.
Tennessee run at 0:42; Arizona run at 1:44
Praise be to Tedford!
by Ohio Bear on Oct 20, 2009 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I had been thinking about putting up a Jahvid’s best runs fanpost, but never collected my thoughts. Just talking about Jahvid, my two favorite runs that highlight what make him special:
#1: The 2008 TD run against UCLA mentioned by Ohio Bear. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a play quite like that one. Jahvid comes to a complete stop with the defender right in front of him, then explodes with a juke to his right and out sprints every UCLA defender to the end zone with a crazy dive. What’s amazing to me is the stop. When he stops, there aren’t really any blockers protecting him – there are just three UCLA defenders trying to figure out what the hell to do. As soon as they hesitate it’s too late and he’s by them into the end zone. Can anybody else get away with standing still on the football field in the flat with no protection without getting crushed?
#2: His two long TDs vs. Washington St. in 2008. Now, I know that WSU doesn’t exactly have the best defense, or even a mediocre defense, but watching the way the WSU defenders try to stop Jahvid illustrates how fast he is. On both runs the Cal line opens up huge holes and Jahvid immediately gets to the secondary. On both runs, the safety is the only man that can stop him – and he takes laughable angles. Against most runners, the WSU safety would probably at least have a chance to make a tackle, would at least get a finger on the player. Against Jahvid he looks like a clown. On the 2nd long run the safety takes such a poor angle that he takes out a linebacker vainly trying to catch Jahvid from behind. Go to 1:55 on this video and watch the carnage. Jahvid’s speed is mindblowing.
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by norcalnick on Oct 20, 2009 9:34 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Did anyone else notice that on Jahvid’s two TDs (the run and the reception), there was a different Bosworth (#54 and #55) futilely chasing him each time? For some reason I found that hilarious.
dboneisloose
by HolmoePhobe on Oct 20, 2009 10:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Not to mention a Bosworth got clean-clocked in the 2006 Desean return…not good memories for the Bosworth clan against the Cal stars.
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by Avinash on Oct 20, 2009 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Between those two plays and the DeCoud block on DeSean’s 2006 punt return TD, we’ve arguably established some ownage over the Bosworths.
Praise be to Tedford!
by Ohio Bear on Oct 20, 2009 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wrong Way Riegels. I mean, a 65 yard run, that’s gotta rank high, but…well, see the nickname.
run
-kat
by katster on Oct 20, 2009 10:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Marshawn had some pretty freaking amazing runs in the 2005 Las Vegas Bowl.
But my vote goes to DJax’s punt return against Tennessee in 2007. To me, no play combines jukiness, speed, and just “wow-did-I-actually-just-see-that factor” with such huge hype at the same time.
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. What happens in California makes the world go round.
by Spazzy Mcgee on Oct 21, 2009 1:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That was just insane if you were actually there
I remember it going like this:
“Oh god we’re tied at 14-14”
“Yay forced punt. Come DJax let’s get a good return”
Chanting: “block that punt! Desean Jackson!” (repeat)
“Will Colquitt even punt it to him”
“holy fuck he just punted it to him!”
“oh fuck he’s going to get stuffed”
“OMG WHAT THE FUCK!”
“AHHHHHH!!!!”
“TOUCHDOWN OH MY FUCKING GOD1!!!”
In other words, Go Bears!
by royrules22 on Oct 21, 2009 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
One for the discussion
I don’t think it wins “best of all time” but I can’t believe I forgot to list it before:
Lindsey Chapman’s 68-yard (or thereabouts) TD run vs. Washington in 1991.
There was nothing special about this run in terms of moves or juking like we see in the signature runs of Jahvid or Beast Mode. It was a trap play where Chapman burst up the middle and then outran the last defender to the north end zone. But at the time, the magnitude of the run was huge. The UW game in 1991 was the biggest game at Memorial Stadium in a LONG time. UW was ranked # 3 and the eventual national champ; we were ranked in the top 10 at the time. Chapman’s run came at the end of the 3rd quarter of a mostly defensive game and tied the game at 17. I had the play by play call for KALX that day and I still remember it as one of the most memorable plays I called.
During pregame and then again late in the game, the student section yelled: “Hey Coach Snyder. We believe.” After Chapman’s run, I’m pretty sure all 75,000 at Memorial that day believed at that moment.
Unfortunately, Beno Bryant punked us on a 65 yard TD run early in the 4th quarter and we lost 24-17. Still an epic game in Cal football history, in my opinion.
Praise be to Tedford!
by Ohio Bear on Oct 21, 2009 5:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
dude....i was there....
we had two or three shots at the endzone with less than 20 seconds left to tie the game also….
Go Bears Go
by Rocksanddirt on Oct 21, 2009 9:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We had 2 shots, if I remember right
We got the improbable long pass from Pawlawski to Semien that got us down to the 20-25 yard line with under 20 seconds left. No timeouts left, so I think we ran up there to kill the clock on one down. The next play was the killer: Mike Caldwell was open in the back of the end zone (not wide open, but enough open for a chance), but Pawlawski slightly overthrew it and Caldwell couldn’t pull it down. On last play, Pawlawski threw incomplete to Treggs in the left corner of the end zone. No shot.
Praise be to Tedford!
by Ohio Bear on Oct 21, 2009 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
well also they were offsides on the last play of the game, and so
we got a second last play that was the treggs incomplete….heart breakingly great game. both teams really played great. f*n dawgs.
Go Bears Go
by Rocksanddirt on Oct 21, 2009 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was there, too. That was a really painful loss, but one where I felt our guys played their hearts out. And we saw a big smoke plume in the distance during the game from our seats on the west side of the stadium. The next morning, a big wind blew up the embers from that little fire and burned down the city of Oakland.
by CalBear81 on Oct 21, 2009 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The next morning, a big wind blew up the embers from that little fire and burned down the city of Oakland.
WHAT??
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash on Oct 21, 2009 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shes talking about the 91 fires, which didnt really burn down the all of the city of Oakland, just the nice parts.
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by TwistNHook on Oct 21, 2009 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, I exaggerate slightly. I lived in Oakland at the time and my home didn’t burn down, although I did have to evacuate. The fire burned something like 4,000 homes and killed 25 people in one day. It nearly got the Claremont Hotel, and Alta Bates Hospital had its patients ready for complete evacuation on 5 minutes notice.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakland_Hills_firestorm
When we saw the smoke during the game, my friend who was sitting next to me said that the fire was worrying, because the weather was so dry and windy. I scoffed. My friend still reminds me of my stupid scoffing from time to time.
by CalBear81 on Oct 21, 2009 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like a lot of the runs mentioned, but for sheer determination...
1. 2005 in the Rose Bowl, I think it was about 3rd and 8, and Marshawn took the ball and gained nine pushing 4 or 5 Bruins. I was there that night, and you could sense that he knew exactly where the first down marker was, and that if the whole Bruin bench had jumped up and tried to stop him, He would still have made it.
2. Marshawn’s run in overtime against Washington to win on 2 bad ankles. Maybe not Best, but pure determination, pure Beastmode.
by GoldenBear 77 on Oct 21, 2009 7:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I was thinking about Lynch’s OT run, too. It wasn’t all that long, but I don’t think I have ever seen a more determined run. It was like, “enough of this B.S., I’m winning this game. Now.”
by CalBear81 on Oct 21, 2009 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Personal fav... entire Las Vegas Bowl 2005
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J8B7gh1_d8&fmt=18#t=1m52s
There was some crazy juking going on during that game in general, but my fav run has to be the “GET THE FUCK OFF ME” play. For sheer badassery, it can’t be beat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J8B7gh1_d8&fmt=18#t=2m33s
However, I think Jahvid’s UCLA run is the best run overall when seen in a vacuum.
by danzig on Oct 21, 2009 12:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Holy shit I completely forgot how badly he took out the Mormons…
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by Avinash on Oct 21, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I bow down before the Beast
Those are some mad runs. Dude was out of control.
I'd like to smell the Roses before I die.
by BTown85 on Oct 21, 2009 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Man,
I just love, love, loved that juking TD by Best against Miami last year. I know it was pretty much the same only shorter as the UCLA one, but it was in a bowl game.
Marshawn vs. BYU was pretty spectacular. Vinny Strang’s end around against Va Tech was pretty great. But I think my favorite is Mike Pawlawski’s pitch to no one, eventually scooped up by Russell White 20 yards behind the line and run back down to the UCLA 5-yard line. Cal won that game 38-31 in 1990 and broke UCLA’s 17 game winning streak against us.
by ohsooso on Oct 21, 2009 1:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Jahvid, your run was nice and I’mmma let you finish, but DeSean had one of the best Cal runs of all time . . . Of all time!
by LeonPowe on Oct 21, 2009 6:37 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 2 recs
Not top 10, but at least worth remembering – Desean’s reverse against Tennessee. Made All-SEC S…crap, forgot the little shit’s name, but whatever, he made him look stupid. It was the smoothest stop-and-go I’ve ever seen, Desean was going full speed (but looked like he was coasting), slowed down ever so slightly as the defender went flying by (still looking like he was just coasting) before bursting up field for a nice gain.
by Missing Barry on Oct 22, 2009 6:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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