Golden Nuggets: Holy Cannoli! Tavecchio Nails Game-Winning Field Goal in the Desert

by Berkelium97 on Nov 1, 2009 8:00 PM PST in Golden Nuggets Comment 27 comments

Tavecchio's late-game redemption was like something out of one of his dreams.

"My mentality before I kick a field goal is, I really don't remember how far it is," Tavecchio said. "In my dreams, it's always 55 yards. I don't think of distances in reality, but in my dreams, why not?"

Tavecchio's game-winner made up for his miss from 39 yards out with 5:46 remaining that also would have given the Bears the lead. He said it was the first game-winning field goal he's ever made at any level.

"I was praying for (another chance)," Tavecchio said. "Something inside me just told me that I was going to get another chance. A kicker's greatest dream is a game-winning field goal. I feel very blessed to have been able to win the game at the end."
...

"I'm happy for Giorgio that he came in and kicked that because you really feel bad for a kid when the game is on the line," Tedford said. "I was happy that he came back and knocked it through."

After the jump, we have more stories on Tavecchio, updated rankings, bowl projections, the early spread for Saturday (Cal by 6.5), postgame quotes, an article on the wildcat pass, and more. Tomorrow I'll have the rest of the weekend in Cal sports.

Cal Football

Cal moves up to 20th in the BCS rankings and debuts (again) at 23rd in the AP and Coaches' polls.
The Bears are an early 6.5 point favorite over the Beavs.
Kevin Riley earns a Pac-10 helmet sticker from Ted Miller. Miller wonders if the final drive was "a defining moment" for Riley, but he believes "[Riley] and Cal have turned a corner this season."
ESPN bowl projections: Schlabach anticipates a Cal-Utah Las Vegas Bowl (I still think he's nuts for putting Stanford in the Emerald Bowl). It's a step up from last week's Poinsettia Bowl! Feldman thinks we'll face Boston College in the Emerald Bowl. Both had no love for USC, as they expect the Trojans will miss the BCS for the first time under Carroll.
Tedford and Riley have a few postgame quotes in addition to those from Dennis Erickson, Danny Sullivan, LB Mike Nixon, and RB Cameron Marshall.
Despite missing a crucial field goal late in the fourth quarter, Tavecchio remained calm and composed when given another chance.
JO has an article on the Wildcat pass. Tedford initially thought it was a sure touchdown, but believes it spent too much time wobbling through the air. Kevin thinks he may have made Vereen tentative by telling him to avoid any costly mistakes. Best is just glad they were able to run another play after that: "Thank God nobody caught it."

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they expect the Trojans will miss the BCS for the first time under Carroll.

Second time, actually. Trojans lost to Utah in the 2001 Las Vegas Bowl, finishing that campaign at 6-6.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Nov 1, 2009 8:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

For some reason I always, always forget about that 2001 season.

Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!

by Berkelium97 on Nov 1, 2009 8:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

There are many valid reasons to forget that there was a college football season played in 2001.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Nov 1, 2009 10:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Cal definitely did not play any football that year, though there were rumors about a scrimmage vs. a Rutgers team, though these reports are unconfirmed…

Undefeated in Southern California since Oct. 2009...

by CruzinBears on Nov 2, 2009 11:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The Bowl projections are so goofy. I know at least one of them had both Oregon and USC making the BCS last week. Knowing that the two teams were playing each other and that one had to lose, why would they then move USC out of a BCS bowl? USC with two losses is way more likely to make the BCS than Oregon with two losses. As usually, it appears that they both spend approximately 15 minutes on the feature.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Nov 1, 2009 8:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Because not only did one team lose, they got demolished by 27 points. Had it been close and both teams played very well, there is a decent chance both schools still would be projected to get to a BCS game.

"It's going to be a long season" - Old Blues from 1868-present

by AVNevis on Nov 1, 2009 9:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

USC’s remaining schedule:

@ ASU
Stanfurd
UCLA
Arizona

I’m willing to bet big bucks that if USC wins out they get picked for an at large bid. Any BCS game (particularly, as Avi pointed out, the Fiesta) would kill to get USC in the game for attendance and ratings. Hell, they just lost and they’re still #12 in the BCS as it is.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Nov 1, 2009 9:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly right

10-2 USC is the most attractive at-large BCS option in the country….unless we’re talking about the Rose Bowl. Call me crazy, but I think there is a strong chance that the Rose Bowl committee would pick a 10-2 Cal (or for that matter Arizona, though if they go 10-2, they actually may win the conference) over USC if Oregon makes its way to the MNC.

There are just too many factors on the side of Cal/Arizona getting picked to play in the RB if the avenue exists. The history, or lack thereof, of those two teams versus the staleness sending forth USC once again. Moreover, the RB committee doesn’t really care who wins the game, or even whether it’s close, so much as that there are a lot of people there to witness it. And if Cal were involved…well, they’d probably have to conduct a lottery to determine who got what tickets there’d be such demand.

That’s why Cal needs to TCOB, even more than they would normally.

by Nashville on Nov 1, 2009 9:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I would think TV Ratings would be much more important… The Rose Bowl’s always going to sell out. I’d think USC is the most attractive choice. Barring a messy end to the season, I sadly don’t see Oregon getting a shot at the MNC because they won’t be able to donwplay the Boise State fiasco.

STAY THIRSTY, MY FRIENDS

by Thoroughbred on Nov 1, 2009 9:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Let's not get too giddy....

Aren’t we getting a little ahead of ourselves? I don’t think we have an easy game left on the schedule (ASU was the easiest and we just won by an eye lash). Not trying to be a buzz-kill, but there’s so much football left to be played in the Pac-10. Actually, I really like that things are up in the air with the conference. Pretty exciting.

I'd like to smell the Roses before I die.

by BTown85 on Nov 1, 2009 10:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree. Just gotta take it 1 game ata time. OSU, here we come!

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by TwistNHook on Nov 2, 2009 7:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ASU was the easiest?

Linda's in the cold ground, won't see her anymore
Somewhere out on the highway tonight, the drunken engines roar
It's just one of those things, one of those things
-- Al Stewart, "Accident on 3rd St."
In memory of Nick Adenhart and all victims of drunk driving

by PaulThomas on Nov 2, 2009 3:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bowl Games

I’m not exactly a genius when it comes to bowl games. If Oregon gets a BCS bowl and USC doesn’t, does that mean that USC will be in the Brut Sun Bowl if they go on to go 10-2? If we beat Arizona, does that mean that we’ll be in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl?

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Nov 1, 2009 8:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

If USC wins out, they’ll probably earn a Fiesta Bowl bid.

Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com

by Avinash on Nov 1, 2009 8:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The selection committee for bowls usually reverts to the winner of the head-to-head matchup. This means (assuming they tie for 2nd in the conference) Cal would go to the Sun Bowl if the Holiday Bowl chooses USC. I’d be very surprised if a 10-2 USC misses the BCS, though.

Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!

by Berkelium97 on Nov 1, 2009 8:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs