Cal v. UC Davis 9.4.10 Photo Essay I

"I claim this land in the name of Tedford!"

Is there any greater sight?  The Cal flag flying high in the non day sun?  They say only mad dogs and Englishmen come out in the noon day sun.  In that case, call me and 60,000 of my best friends as mad dogs.  Also, potentially Englishmen.  

Yesterday, was the first Cal game of the year.  It had been over 9 months since our last Cal game and nearly a full year since our last cal home game.  Even with the early start time (effectively requiring the always dangerous morning drinking), the tailgating started early and often.   

With a nice assist from Monica's Dad, Let's take a look at all the pre-game action and first half action for the Cal-UC Davis game on 9.4.10.  GO BEARS.

Don't forget to check out more of Monica's Dad's (that is a lot of apostrophes!) great photos at Flickr.

It was time to fire up those grills:

Time to throw bean bags into wood.

Eat some top dog:

And shotgun some (cheap) beers:

Berkeley was alive with the sound of music.  Berkeley was alive with the sound of people.  But some of those people might have been a little mischievous.  For example, some of them apparently thought it funny to keep Pappy from focusing on the game:

It is supposed to be over his eyes!  Over his eyes!

Kleeburger was packed.

Soon, it was time to enter the game:

Warming up before the game:

IMG_8992 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_9002 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_9032 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_9067 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_9151 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_9137 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_9168 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_9210 (via Monica's Dad)

The first pre-game of the year is always one of the more nerve-wracking experiences for the band.  For the newman, who have never experienced anything like it, it is rather fear-inducing.  Every conceivable way you could embarrass yourself flashes through your head in the same rhythm as your fast-beating heart.  I remember my first pre-game and I honestly have no idea how I got through it.  You just do.

For the more veteran members of the band, including the Drum Major, it is like putting a car together and then hitting ignition for that first time.  It worked in the shop, sure, but under real road conditions, you never know.  I thought the band hit it perfectly in pre game yesterday.  Congratulations!

IMG_9538 (via Monica's Dad)

I honestly don't remember if the Drum Major caught the baton, but based on this photo...

IMG_9562 (via Monica's Dad)

BUSTED!

Some of the younger players were watching the pregame show:

Me likey Trajuan Briggs' hair.  The only hair that is better?  Our boy, Adam Duritz!

After the Star-Spangled Banner, the band created its tunnel and the team came blasting out:

IMG_9645 (via Monica's Dad)

AND SOON CAL FOOTBALL, AFTER ITS INFINITY MONTH WAIT AND THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF OFF-SEASON, WAS HERE:

IMG_9737 (via Monica's Dad)

AND KEENAN ALLEN, AFTER HIS INFINITY MONTH WAIT AND THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF AWESOME, WAS READY TO BEAR OUR CHILDREN:

IMG_9793 (via Monica's Dad)

For those concerned about running up the middle, this photo series in some moderate way relates to that:

IMG_9798 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_9799 (via Monica's Dad)

Vereen scores his first touchdown of the day:

IMG_9813 (via Monica's Dad)

On defense, Cal was just as stout.  They only gave up one first down the entire first half!

IMG_9837 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_9839 (via Monica's Dad)

Marvin Jones taught us about his culinary arts.  He should call HydroTech!

Massive credit should be given to the Davis fans.  They showed up en masse, stayed until the 4th quarter pretty much, and went crazy over anything positive for Davis.  Considering that Davis had 1 first down in the first half, that was not much.

Plus, they have their creepy mascot.

Riley had a lot of success early, but also fumbled a ball.  He was practicing on the sidelines with backup QB Beau Sweeney to stay in rhythm.  

Then, Sweeney and 3rd stringer Brock Mansion would bring in the signals:

Here's a photo of Keenan Allen briefly not scoring a Touchdown:

More game action from Monica's Dad:

IMG_9859 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_9860 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_9872 (via Monica's Dad)

Keenan Allen, probably scoring a touchdown:

IMG_9877 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_9878 (via Monica's Dad)

And the fans went crazy:

IMG_9880 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_9918 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_9919 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_9920 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_9921 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_0034 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_0039 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_0045 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_0047 (via Monica's Dad)

Eric Stevens, brother of Craig Stevens, about to make a nice play:

IMG_0049 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_0052 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_0069 (via Monica's Dad)

Keenan Allen decides to have another great catch.  Just a quick catch in the flat, he follows his blockers and takes it yards down the field!  Because why not?

IMG_0109 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_0111 (via Monica's Dad)

Is this holding?

IMG_0114 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_0116 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_0118 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_0119 (via Monica's Dad)

Vereen ends the drive with a TD!

IMG_0125 (via Monica's Dad)

At half, Cal was already up big.  They were only up 7-0 at the end of the first, so they scored multiple times in the 2nd quarter.  Cal scored 2 TDs in like 1.5 minutes at one point when Cal scored a TD and then Davis fumbled the kick off and Cal recovered deep in Davis territory.  

Check in soon for part II, including second half action and a closer look at the Aggie Band Duh!  Plus, our band!  GO BEARS!