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Around SBN: Full Coverage Of New York's Victory Celebration

Golden Nuggets: Marshawn Jr.

UpdateShane Vereen will appear on "Game Day" on CBS 5 tonight at 11:35.  If any of you watch this, the rest of us would really appreciate it if you could let us know how it went, what he said, etc.

Today we look at the return of Dasarte Yarnway, heir apparent to Marshawn Lynch.

Yarnway, who was rated the third-best running back in California by scout.com coming out of Sacred Heart Cathedral High in San Francisco, had high expectations for the 2009 season before he suffered a torn ligament in his right big toe in mid-August. Instead of risking further damage, he elected to have surgery and was redshirted.

Tedford said Yarnway looked fine in Wednesday's scrimmage with other scout team players, carrying the ball five or six times. Yarnway also practiced in noncontact drills Tuesday.

"It was a good reminder of how it feels," Yarnway said. "After you go through a struggle, it's kind of hard to foresee the future. But at the same time, when you do things like this — get back in the groove with your teammates on the field and in the weight room — it reminds you that you can get up off the ground, have perseverance and make it through."

Yarnway began to work out roughly three weeks ago and felt some discomfort. But he said the most difficult part of the process was staying patient, going through rehabilitation and watching his teammates playwithout being able to contribute.

Yarnway already has next year's season-opener against UC Davis on Sept. 4 circled on the calendar, and he hopes to be stronger — mentally and physically — than before.

"Now it's all about confidence and continuing to master the playbook," Yarnway said. "I think the future is going to be very bright."

After the jump we have football tidbits (rankings, bowl projections, Cal favored by 6 over Washington), 20 questions with Jamal Boykin, recaps/analysis of the weekend's games for men's and women's basketball, recaps of the weekend for women's volleyball and men's water polo, and more.

Star-divide

Cal Football

Cal Basketball

The Rest of the Weekend in Cal Sports

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I was cited to in a Golden Nuggets!

I can die happy now.

Costs assessed against Twist

by CALumbus Bear on Nov 29, 2009 7:40 PM PST reply actions  

Wikipedia>Golden Nuggets

PS We determined at least a 200% increase in Ohio based Cal fans in the open thread on saturday when Mister Pie and StudentDoctorBear revealed themselves to be residents of that fair state.

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2009 7:44 PM PST up reply actions  

While I didn’t go to law school because of my math skillz, wouldn’t doubling the number of Ohio based Cal fans just be an increase of 100%?

I don’t want to wade through 1400 comments. Mister Pie and StudentDoctorBear, what cities are you in?

Costs assessed against Twist

by CALumbus Bear on Nov 29, 2009 7:50 PM PST up reply actions  

But its 2 more people than the 2 we currently have, so that seems like it’d be 200% more.

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2009 7:52 PM PST up reply actions  

While I’m prepared to bust out an immediate ruling against you, I shall defer to someone who does not have an English/history/rhetoric degree.

p.s. wikipedia sux

Costs assessed against Twist

by CALumbus Bear on Nov 29, 2009 7:56 PM PST up reply actions  

This is, by far, the least embarrassing thing i’ve ever written on this site.

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2009 8:13 PM PST up reply actions  

They’re associated with CWRU – so Cleveland?

by LeonPowe on Nov 29, 2009 8:01 PM PST up reply actions  

Yeppers, Case Western Reserve (I think they use the term “reserve” the same way winemakers do) is up in Cleveland. That’s a skoosh over 2 hours away. And they’re burried under lake-effect snow and crippling depression most of the time.

Costs assessed against Twist

by CALumbus Bear on Nov 29, 2009 8:04 PM PST up reply actions  

At least it’s not Detroit…

It’s not Detroit…

Praise be to Tedford!

by Ohio Bear on Nov 29, 2009 8:17 PM PST up reply actions  

I believe their entire economy is based on LeBron James.

Costs assessed against Twist

by CALumbus Bear on Nov 29, 2009 8:18 PM PST up reply actions  

Their leading export is unemployment.

Praise be to Tedford!

by Ohio Bear on Nov 29, 2009 8:20 PM PST up reply actions  

Yup, in Cleveland. And yes, Lebron James is basically Cleveland.

by Mister Pie on Nov 29, 2009 8:45 PM PST up reply actions  

Are you LeBron James?

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2009 8:45 PM PST up reply actions  

As a matter of fact, I am.

by Mister Pie on Nov 29, 2009 8:47 PM PST up reply actions  

Can I borrow money??

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2009 8:48 PM PST up reply actions  

Didn’t I give you TedfordIsGod’s money yesterday?

by Mister Pie on Nov 29, 2009 8:48 PM PST up reply actions  

Hes poor.

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2009 9:04 PM PST up reply actions  

TwistNHook is most definitely right, I am poor.

by Tedfordisgod on Nov 29, 2009 9:16 PM PST up reply actions  

Somebody has accepted this fact and isn’t ashamed of it!

All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!

by rollonubears on Nov 29, 2009 9:19 PM PST up reply actions  

The lawyer school means that after years of crushing debt I will eventually be back to where I started. I can’t just live in shame until then!

by Tedfordisgod on Nov 29, 2009 9:24 PM PST up reply actions  

Fixed

Can I borrow have some money??

Praise be to Tedford!

by Ohio Bear on Nov 29, 2009 8:49 PM PST up reply actions  

Sure, when the Cavs win a championship.

by Mister Pie on Nov 29, 2009 8:50 PM PST up reply actions  

In 2026 we are gonna come looking for YOU, Mister Pie, to demand our money.

Costs assessed against Twist

by CALumbus Bear on Nov 29, 2009 8:53 PM PST up reply actions  

Sure I’ll be loooong gone by then. See you then, suckas!

I mean… yes, consider it done.

by Mister Pie on Nov 29, 2009 8:54 PM PST up reply actions  

What a coincidence

I think that’s the same year the Blue Jackets finally win a Stanley Cup playoff series game.

Praise be to Tedford!

by Ohio Bear on Nov 29, 2009 8:56 PM PST up reply actions  

Whoa whoa whoa. What about Leon Powe?

by LeonPowe on Nov 29, 2009 8:47 PM PST up reply actions  

He’s the Future.

Once LeBron is ________ (insert large city)

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:48 PM PST up reply actions  

Man I was so happy when we picked him up. The guy’s gone through so much… hopefully he comes back strong.

by Mister Pie on Nov 29, 2009 8:48 PM PST up reply actions  

Not knowing anything about Yarnway other than his name…if he comes back healthy, does he compete to be Vereen’s back-up next year? Or are we looking at 2011/2012 for him to contribute?

Frankly, I have been more than a little impressed with Deboskie-Johnson, and had forgotten about Yarnway.

by Tedfordisgod on Nov 29, 2009 7:45 PM PST reply actions  

Vereen will prob be main ball carrier, but #2 is always going to get a lot of carries. What separates Yarnway is that he is much bigger than the other backs

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:07 PM PST up reply actions  

It sounds like he has a great shot at becoming the primary backup. He may have even seen playing time as a true freshman this season had he not injured his foot. With his incredible size, strength, and speed (he’s HUGE), he will be a great complement to Vereen next year.

Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!

by Berkelium97 on Nov 29, 2009 8:08 PM PST up reply actions  

Yeah, from all reports, he was going to play this year.

I would say each of our backs are going to have plays specifically designed to their talents

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:10 PM PST up reply actions  

If Best does come back, with him, Vereen, Deboskie-Johnson, Sofele, and Yarnway:

(1) Does anyone transfer?
(2) Do we attempt to use Best as a WR/Slot receiver/etc a lot more often?

Just seems to me that we are getting to USC levels of talented tailbacks.

by Tedfordisgod on Nov 29, 2009 8:17 PM PST up reply actions  

If anyone of the group does its Oski, and I really hope he doesn’t. I don’t understand why they would have played Yarnway this year when they barely use Oski, who has been good in limited carries.

All aboard the Jahvid Best rickshaw!

by rollonubears on Nov 29, 2009 8:19 PM PST up reply actions  

No way. Those guys aren’t all 4/5 star studs, and you need depth in your ball carriers … I actually have worried about our depth this year because of the losses of Slocum and Montgomery. We have not seen enough of Covaughn and Isi to know how well they’d perform as starters. Sofele wasn’t even meant to be an RB, and I don’t know if he is either

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:21 PM PST up reply actions  

That probably seems right. I think I am a little more interesting in question (2) rather than whether or not guys will transfer.

by Tedfordisgod on Nov 29, 2009 8:23 PM PST up reply actions  

I think Jahvid will step back in a similar role with maybe a few more plays as a receiver. It’s not like he’s ineffective or something as our regular RB.

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:27 PM PST up reply actions  

No, but seems like we rarely used Vereen and Best together. Seems like something we should try.

by Tedfordisgod on Nov 29, 2009 8:31 PM PST up reply actions  

i wish we could Best on fly sweeps more, that’s for sure

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:31 PM PST up reply actions  

Perhaps because it is impossible to get the ball into both of their hands on a single play (without some crazzy trickeration) and that probably takes a blocking TE or FB off the field.

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2009 8:33 PM PST up reply actions  

I’m betting Vereen is a better blocker than most of our wide receivers, so he has that going for him. Jahvid not so much.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Nov 29, 2009 8:34 PM PST up reply actions  

But are they better than a TE or FB that we could put out there? I think that is the trade off we’d be looking at.

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2009 8:35 PM PST up reply actions  

Well, maybe Vereen lines up outside instead of Ross. Then you don’t lose the TE or FB

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Nov 29, 2009 8:36 PM PST up reply actions  

i doubt it. we have some good size in the WR corps

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:37 PM PST up reply actions  

Vereen is a little better than Best, but not by much.

Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on Nov 29, 2009 10:05 PM PST up reply actions  

Sofele might go back to WR (though that position seems crowded enough as it is) and hopefully we’d use Best more often as a receiver. If we ran a wildcat with Vereen under center, Yarnway lined up next to him, Sofele running the sweep, and Best lined up as a WR, I’m pretty sure the opposing D coordinator’s head would explode.

Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!

by Berkelium97 on Nov 29, 2009 8:26 PM PST up reply actions  

Yeah, and we always could spend the off-season teaching Best/Vereen/Sofele/Deboskie to throw the ball.

by Tedfordisgod on Nov 29, 2009 8:31 PM PST up reply actions  

i bet Yarnway has a cannon.

what’s funny is that DJax does have a gun for an arm.

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:33 PM PST up reply actions  

Unfortunately, DJax will not be on the team next year.

by Tedfordisgod on Nov 29, 2009 8:34 PM PST up reply actions  

Damn! This is news to me.

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:38 PM PST up reply actions  

He's bigger than Vereen, DBJ, and Sofele

I think he’s listed at 6’0 200+ and that’s without a season and off-season of ridiculous weight training. He could definitely stand out as a large-body power/explosiveness guy (thus the Marshawn Jr. reference above)

by calbeers05753 on Nov 29, 2009 8:09 PM PST up reply actions  

Cool, thanks for the response. Having a big back would be nice, though Vereen does well for his size.

(Also – I guess Best might be back next year – but I am not counting on it.)

by Tedfordisgod on Nov 29, 2009 8:13 PM PST up reply actions  

Sun Bowl

I like facing mizzou a bit more than the sooners or ttech.

18 to Cheeseboard

by JrBear on Nov 29, 2009 7:49 PM PST reply actions  

Dangerous team. Some good NFL prospects

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:08 PM PST up reply actions  

i like either the Sooners, for pure name recognition purposes, or ttech, for a little 2004 payback

by First and Ten on Nov 29, 2009 8:10 PM PST up reply actions  

Oklahoma for the TV ratings/exposure. We can take ’em!

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Nov 29, 2009 8:15 PM PST up reply actions  

pretty stout… would be a fun game

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:17 PM PST up reply actions  

Schlabach and Feldman on espn.com predicted Cal in Sun Bowl vs. Mizzou last week. This week, they are projecting us in Sun Bowl vs. Oklahoma.

Praise be to Tedford!

by Ohio Bear on Nov 29, 2009 8:32 PM PST up reply actions  

I guess all of last week’s Missouri projections were based on the Sooners losing to Ok. St.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Nov 29, 2009 8:33 PM PST up reply actions  

why the fuck would they think Oklahoma would lose to OSU? have they not watched football this year? did they not notice that OSU was more than a touchdown dog?!

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:34 PM PST up reply actions  

Duh, cause Ok. St. was ranked higher. Gah, do you even watch football?

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Nov 29, 2009 8:35 PM PST up reply actions  

Yes, I figured that, too.

Praise be to Tedford!

by Ohio Bear on Nov 29, 2009 8:35 PM PST up reply actions  

I dont know a lot about Big XII football, but I really hope that we face an offense that focuses strongly on running. We seem better able to shut down the runing game.

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2009 8:36 PM PST up reply actions  

Landry Jones has had a Jekyll/Hyde season. He threw like 5 ints. vs. Nebraska, but he had a great game against other teams.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Nov 29, 2009 8:37 PM PST up reply actions  

Is he the main focus of their offense? Another potential opponent is BYU in the Vegas Bowl, right? WHat is their offense like?

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2009 8:40 PM PST up reply actions  

Dear Twist,
We don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.

Sincerely,
Nick Foles and Andrew Luck.

Praise be to Tedford!

by Ohio Bear on Nov 29, 2009 8:37 PM PST up reply actions  

Were we really able to shut Nick Foles down? I mean coming after Canfield’s surgical precision, maybe it seemed that way, but I felt as if Foles had a goodish game. Except for that double pass.

As for Luck, ya, 10-30, ouch.

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2009 8:40 PM PST up reply actions  

By Foles and Airraid’s standards, he had a bad day…his lowest rating besides the ASU game

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:41 PM PST up reply actions  

Against us, Foles was 25 of 41 for 202 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT. Not a good game by his standards this season.

Praise be to Tedford!

by Ohio Bear on Nov 29, 2009 8:43 PM PST up reply actions  

Hmm, you’re right. Ted Miller linked to it earlier today, but I guess it hadn’t been updated yet, so I went off his word. Why, Ted, whyyyyy?!

Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!

by Berkelium97 on Nov 29, 2009 8:40 PM PST up reply actions  

Whoa, Dixon

That was like old times.

Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on Nov 29, 2009 7:59 PM PST reply actions  

I’m glad they’re letting him run, despite worries about what to do on the off-chance that he gets injured too. Dennis Dixon was one of my favorite athletes to watch in the past several years in CFB.

Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!

by Berkelium97 on Nov 29, 2009 8:10 PM PST up reply actions  

Nice rooting for a local kid

San Leandro? San Lorenzo?

by calbeers05753 on Nov 29, 2009 8:12 PM PST up reply actions  

san leandro

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:13 PM PST up reply actions  

it seems a little ludicrous to stamp out a whole segment of his game for risk of injury alone. you play to win the game! what happens if he goes out? you lose the game. but you’re already setting yourself up for that if you’re not using his talents

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:13 PM PST up reply actions  

If you are afraid to have him run the ball, why even keep him as your backup. There are plenty of pocket-passers who would be happy to hold a clipboard.

by Tedfordisgod on Nov 29, 2009 8:14 PM PST up reply actions  

Dennis Dixon

Not sure why, but I am really happy to see Dixon playing well (it helps that we beat Oregon that year)

by First and Ten on Nov 29, 2009 8:00 PM PST reply actions  

Also glad to see the Nets total lack of pride down 31 as they try not tie the worst start in NBA history

by First and Ten on Nov 29, 2009 8:05 PM PST up reply actions  

If I had to play in NJ, I wouldn’t have much pride, either…

by Missing Barry on Nov 30, 2009 10:42 AM PST up reply actions  

It’s because of a sense of injustice. Oregon was the best team in the Pac-10 with him in at QB that year. Plus we all love those Addicted to Quackers <3

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Nov 29, 2009 8:14 PM PST up reply actions  

We were the best when we…umm…didn’t lose!

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:18 PM PST up reply actions  

truer words have never been spoken

by First and Ten on Nov 29, 2009 8:20 PM PST up reply actions  

I don't know about you guys

But watching Dixon blow out his knee on TV in 07 made my heart ache. After our Bears started to skid, that Oregon team deserved to go to the NCG and Dixon should’ve taken them there. Great to see him succeed at the pro level.

by BleedinBlue on Nov 29, 2009 8:18 PM PST up reply actions  

That was awful. That really put a damper on what was already a terrible season due to our own collapse. I was hoping Dixon would get the Heisman and Oregon would go on to the NCG.

Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!

by Berkelium97 on Nov 29, 2009 8:22 PM PST up reply actions  

We were 2-0 against Dixon. Recall he started the 2006 game in Berkeley.

I am rooting for him tonight and for his career. I like his game and I really felt for him when he got injured in ’07.

Praise be to Tedford!

by Ohio Bear on Nov 29, 2009 8:20 PM PST up reply actions  

Holy crap

Reminds me of a Longshore 4th quarter throw…agggggh.

Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on Nov 29, 2009 8:20 PM PST reply actions  

damn you

now i am going to have nightmares

by First and Ten on Nov 29, 2009 8:20 PM PST up reply actions  

That FG kick was short, but pretty nice considering the circumstances.

by Tedfordisgod on Nov 29, 2009 8:28 PM PST reply actions  

hell of a kick for a rushed 57 yarder

by First and Ten on Nov 29, 2009 8:29 PM PST up reply actions  

it looked like he let up a bit to aim it too. if he just let loose, it looked like he had the leg for it. then again, it may have gone 30000000 feet to the left.

oh well, just run Dixon on the ground to the endzone!

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:30 PM PST up reply actions  

Great point by Al Michaels about the play preceding the FG attempt

Something didn’t feel right about that FG attempt, but I couldn’t pinpoint it

Praise be to Tedford!

by Ohio Bear on Nov 29, 2009 8:34 PM PST up reply actions  

I got the feeling that it must be a bad spot, considering how rushed they were following the fumble (and they couldn’t stop it to review the spot). Guess it doesn’t matter now though.

by Tedfordisgod on Nov 29, 2009 8:36 PM PST up reply actions  

hehe i was in there earlier

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:31 PM PST up reply actions  

I’m trying to imagine a similar situation if it were us. Rodgers is in his 2nd year behind Favre, but Brett is knocked out before the Minnesota road game. Plus Aaron blew out his knee in the Holiday Bowl.

Yeah, I’d be going crazy too.

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Nov 29, 2009 8:32 PM PST up reply actions  

I think actually seeing the clip really highlighted how much of a dick move this was which I didn’t really appreciate last night, particularly the excessive celebration and taunting that followed the score.

by Mister Pie on Nov 29, 2009 8:58 PM PST up reply actions  

come on… i thought it was funny at least. i find it funny in the way i find clowns and circuses funny!

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 9:00 PM PST up reply actions  

The taunting was hlarious, but also highlighted the dickishness of it.

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2009 9:05 PM PST up reply actions  

I think the only bad part is Carroll acting so happy….If he had just acted cool about it, I would have totally sided with him. But to celebrate like that is pretty sad.

by Tedfordisgod on Nov 29, 2009 9:21 PM PST up reply actions  

Having just watched it, I think it’s hilarious. Dick both ways, but since my school was not involved, it made me laugh. Maybe Pete did it for the lulz.

by LeonPowe on Nov 29, 2009 9:48 PM PST up reply actions  

You are a soul-less human being.

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2009 9:57 PM PST up reply actions  

I so hat Ucla with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind that it’s really difficult for me to actually feel bad for them in this situation. Stepping back from that hat, I can see what irked Carroll in this situation. Here you are, game won, and Neuheisel is calling timeouts like it’s still game on. It’s like Neuheisel thinks he might get an extra possession with no effort expended on defense. Okay, fine. I would totes understand if Carroll gave Neuheisel the “F you” in the form of running a couple of smashmouth running plays. As if to say, you wanna keep playing? Then we’ll keep playing AND run out the clock.

What USC actually did seemed designed to mostly embarrass Ucla. It was a totally disproportionate response to the Neuheisel timeout.

Reminded me of a game I attended a few years back. Ohio State vs. Fresno State. Ohio State had a huge lead late in the 4th Q. Fresno put together a late drive against a prevent defense, burned a couple of timeouts to have a chance to score before time ran out, and ultimately did score a TD. Then the Fighting Pat Hills tried an onside kick, which Ohio State recovered. Apparently, John Cooper was annoyed by Fresno trying an onside kick in a three score (at least) game with under a minute to play. So he had his second string QB call a play action pass, deep ball. Touchdown, with prolly less than 30 seconds left.

Praise be to Tedford!

by Ohio Bear on Nov 29, 2009 10:23 PM PST up reply actions  

John Cooper? “A few years back” … =P

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 10:31 PM PST up reply actions  

Ohio Bear remembers it as delightfully sepia toned.

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2009 10:34 PM PST up reply actions  

I agree with Ohio Bear

With further reflection, I think this was a case of escalating dickishness. First, Carroll taking a knee on first down was slightly dickish because it put Neuheisel in an awkward spot. He had all three timeouts in hand, and with a three-and-out, could ensure getting the ball back with maybe 20 seconds left. While this still leaves the Bruins facing almost certain defeat, it at least forces an ‘SC punt, and with a block or a return…as they say, stranger things have happened—although I’m not sure they actually have. By taking a knee, Carroll was effectively daring Neuheisel to call his time outs and look like a douche, which was an offer that the latter could not refuse.

Here’s how the final series should have played out. USC runs the ball three times trying to get that truly game-clinching first down. UCLA burns its time outs. Maybe the Bruins get the ball back, maybe they don’t. Game over. Instead, Carroll makes a slightly dickish choice to take a knee when the game isn’t truly clinched, and Neuheisel returns the favor with a slightly dickish decision to refuse to concede to the almost-certain victor. Then Carroll responds with a hugely dickish decision to throw a long pass, which leads Neuheisel to come back with more dickishness by calling time outs and using a hurry-up offense after the Bruins got the ball back down 21 points.

As a Cal fan, I LOVED this display, for it revealed both teams at their stereotypical worst: USC as the arrogant bully and UCLA as the whiny, snotty little brother who has never learned how to gracefully concede anything.

I was out of town and missed hearing the local homers on the radio, but I bet both the Trojans’ Pete Arbogast and the Bruins’ Chris Roberts were at their polemical worst. Would have been fun to hear.

Go Bears!

by California Pete on Nov 30, 2009 8:33 AM PST up reply actions  

This sounds right

I reckon the context of these programs helped these guys make bad decisions. In particular, Neuheisel trying to show fighting spirit in the culture change operation at Westwood and Carrol warning people (in particular, UC Los Angeles people) not to mess with him (in particular when he is having a down year).

jh

by Jake88 on Nov 30, 2009 10:10 AM PST up reply actions  

Yep

That was my conclusion as well. I was thinking that Tedford never kneels in that situation – he runs the ball until it is basically impossible for the other team to stop the clock enough. This is allows the other team to call their timeouts – looking a little bad but nothing major, pretty much just playing out the game. It is the smart thing to do and it allows the other side to save face in calling their timeouts.

When Petey kneeled on the ball, he basically created the bad situation – daring UCLA to call the timeout. I don’t particularly blame UCLA for calling the timeout – it’s kinda sucky, the game is over, but this is how people do it – weirder things have happened. To then go play-action pass, score the touchdown, huge celebration by Petey and all those USC players bouncing around – that’s the d*** move there, not UCLA.

I give UCLA about a 2 on the you-are-a-d*** scale, whereas USC is about an 8.

by tmoran3020 on Nov 30, 2009 11:10 AM PST up reply actions  

UCLA as the whiny, snotty little brother who has never learned how to gracefully concede anything.

You got that right. Even if Carroll just ran the ball, UCLA fans would have whined about PC not taking a knee. For a lot of UCLA fans, there is no middle ground when it comes to SC.

by Cali49a on Nov 30, 2009 2:54 PM PST up reply actions  

AGH! DENNIS! JUST RUN THE BALL NEXT TIME!

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:43 PM PST reply actions  

Damn I turn the game on for 1 second and Dixon throws a killer int.

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2009 8:44 PM PST reply actions  

Talk about jinx!

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:45 PM PST up reply actions  

I also make that joke about hopefully Dixon never playing against the Arizona Cardinals.

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2009 8:47 PM PST up reply actions  

THEY TOOK A KNEE! FIRE HARBAUGH! HOW DARE THEY CENTER THE BALL!

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2009 8:46 PM PST reply actions  

slightly different circumstance

by First and Ten on Nov 29, 2009 8:52 PM PST up reply actions  

I fail to understand nuance. I wrote for a blog.

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2009 9:09 PM PST up reply actions  

Well, Oregon fans, if this is the worst thing to happen to you this week, you are going to the Rose Bowl, so shut up and be happy.

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by TwistNHook on Nov 29, 2009 8:48 PM PST reply actions  

he had a good game. shit happens… everyone was expecting them lose, and they almost pulled it out. but they need to get dixon a few looks as a running QB — should definitely be seeing snaps regularly!

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:51 PM PST up reply actions  

Steelers OC blows

Not one play action or misdirection play for Dixon. Instead they wanted him to throw like Roethlisberger. FAIL.

It’s pretty funny that the third Google Search result for Bruce Arians is a page to Steelers fans demanding him be fired.

Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on Nov 29, 2009 8:52 PM PST reply actions  

come on, man! use dixon’s legs! this guy goes 5 yards in a one step!

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:53 PM PST up reply actions  

That’s what I was thinking. What kind of genius gives Dixon the same plays as a huge white whale.

by GBB4188 on Nov 29, 2009 8:53 PM PST up reply actions  

Are you talking about in overtime or the whole game? I thought the go ahead TD run by Dixon might have been a designed run.

Praise be to Tedford!

by Ohio Bear on Nov 29, 2009 8:54 PM PST up reply actions  

Overtime. Some odd playcalls forcing him to throw against the zone.

Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on Nov 29, 2009 8:57 PM PST up reply actions  

Agree with that. Especially odd on the last series when they had good field position.

Praise be to Tedford!

by Ohio Bear on Nov 29, 2009 9:08 PM PST up reply actions  

I get the idea that they couldn’t run the read-option earlier in the game. You can’t afford Dixon getting hurt and having to put in a guy who’s only been with the team for a week, fair enough. But with the game on the line and the Steelers desperately needing a spark? And the one time you did run it it was a 10 yard gainer? That’s some bull-shit right there.

Same old NFL, I suppose.

"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 Nov 29, 2009 9:11 PM PST up reply actions  

Really stupid. It’s why it annoys me to watch the NFL regular season.

Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on Nov 29, 2009 9:30 PM PST up reply actions  

Ray Lewis… I think he loves Ray Rice. In that way.

Physical.

by Thoroughbred on Nov 29, 2009 8:53 PM PST reply actions  

Furd 83 Portland State 64

Off to an impressive start. What do we make of the Cardinal?

Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on Nov 29, 2009 9:04 PM PST reply actions  

I don't know

Don’t they have losses to San Diego and Oral Roberts? Are those supposed to be good mid major teams?

Praise be to Tedford!

by Ohio Bear on Nov 29, 2009 9:09 PM PST up reply actions  

I am going to have to respectfully agree with GBB4188

by Tedfordisgod on Nov 29, 2009 9:22 PM PST up reply actions  

Thanks!

Rec’d

Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!

by Berkelium97 on Nov 30, 2009 12:20 AM PST up reply actions  

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