Cal-Utah Pac-12 Football 2011 Photo Essay 10.22.11

As I approached the parking lot for an afternoon of tailgating on Satuday, I saw this giant blue and gold tent.  I immediately believed that Cal had set up some sort of elaborate Fanfest.  One far superior to last week's Pier 48 sitch.  

Sadly, it turned out to be a Cirque De Soleil tent.  I happened to be right behind an employee, who heard me exclaim a question about it.  He told me that I should come to the show and that blue and gold just happened to be the color scheme.  I asked him if he could bring an elephant out to tailgate with us.

Turns out that's sort of a Cirque De Soleil faux pas.  Don't ask them to bring out the elephant.  They don't like that.  Not one bit.  

After the jump, more photos from the day.  GO BEARS!

The Cal alumni band was present, playing songs for the tailgaters.  

Some people came with their CGB shirts.  Did you buy yours???

It was another gorgeous day tailgating in SF.  There were people kayakgating.  Or something.  I'd love to bring in a party yacht and have a huge party there before the game.  That'd be fun!

I don't think I've ever seen this bad boy up before.  

The band was marching around.  I don't know if they do a "Sproul Steps" style concert or just march from place to place and play a few songs.  They came by Pier 48, like the USC game, to play a few songs.  

Kevin Riley happened to be tailgating a few rows over.  No sightings of Joe Montana, however!  

Although the tailgate scene wasn't as packed as the USC game, it was still a packed and fun afternoon.  People need to get out to a game and relax in sunny SF!  Soon, it was time to head into the game.  Just in time to get PUMPED UP by a highlight video:  

The team came running out:

Will Kapp!  PS I did the math and Joey was like 50ish when he had Will.  The old dog!  

The lights were on all game.  Why????

This is several minutes into the game.  The student section didn't get much fuller than this, although more fans did show up.  Why no students????

Here is a Cal alum who went into space 3 times!

George tells us about why he is #40 (because he was initially given #30, but then Mychal Kendricks had it, so he switched).  He was so happy to be on the team, he didn't really care what number he was.  I think he's really improved this year and he is very reliable now!

Monica's Dad had some great shots of the game!  

IMG_3719 (via Monica's Dad)

Alex Morgan was introduced to the crowd.  People went crazy over the burgeoning soccer star.  

They showed some highlights on the big screen:

They ran Maynard a lot this game.  Fans had been clamoring for it, so they must be happy!  

IMG_3682 (via Monica's Dad)

It's National Championship week, so they had a highlight video going back to our first national championship back in 19dickety2.  The kaiser stole our word for twenty, so we won a national championship to try to get it back!

Monica's Dad got a shot series of Maynard throwing that almost int. We were lucky here that the D guy dropped it.  He seemed confused by the brown oblong object being thrown directly at his chest.  

Deju Vu All Over Again (via Monica's Dad)

At halftime, Cal was up 20-0.  It looked like Utah might be marching to make it 13-7 after some bad penalties on Cal.  However, Kendricks picked a ball and Cal marched right down the field.  That really helped turn the game in Cal's favor!

The halftime show was the "DJ Turn It Up" show with some pop music:

Here is the show:

Then, they brought out all our national champions.  GO BEARS!

Let's get the 2nd half started!

Rally Comm is allowed to have the cannon at games, but can't shoot off their normal shot.  So, they just shoot off colored streamers.  

Some ARod highlights!  GO BEARS!  

Ok, a couple of things:

1.  I initially read this as the correct answer being "Cal," which would be incredibly basic.  However, in retrospect, it might just be "Kevin Moen."

2.  Either way, WHY IS IT RED?!?!  WTF!  It's a Toyota ad. Did they do NO research ahead of time????  I'm buying American for the rest of my life!!

This is a former player (I think named Paul Guttierez), who played from 2000-2005 talking about the changes Coach Tedford brought to the program.  

A bunny won the pet of the game contest.  A bunny!

Monica's Dad got some great shots of the Cal D teeing off on the Utah QB!

IMG_3841 (via Monica's Dad)

IMG_3842 (via Monica's Dad)

Here's a pick six for Cal!  I forget who picked it, but it really put the nail in Utah's coffin.  The Cal team was really jacked over it!

A helicopter kept flying back and forth at various points in the game.  What the what????

IMG_3674 (via Monica's Dad)

After a great and gorgeous day, Cal won big.  We needed that.  

GO BEARS!