With the football season over, we thought we'd go through the Top 10 Moments in the 2008 season. We start with what is essentially, not really a moment. So, right off the bat, we've already violated our title. Ai!
"Flea Flicker!"
#10: Goal-line stand at the end of the first half against UCLA.
TwistNHook: Although I felt Cal was outplaying UCLA, the game was still pretty close. The final score would read 41-20, but that's because Cal expodeed in the 4th quarter. For most of the game, it was very tight. As the second quarter ended, Cal was up 17-7, but, as Cal fans, we were feeling nervous. And, so when UCLA pushed towards the goal-line with less than 2 minutes left, we all freaked. The following occured:
UCLA at 1:41
1st and 10 at CAL 39 Kevin Craft pass complete to Taylor Embree for 26 yards to the Cal 13 for a 1ST down. 7 17 1st and 10 at CAL 13 Chane Moline rush for no gain to the Cal 13. 2nd and 10 at CAL 13 Kevin Craft pass complete to Marcus Everett for 9 yards to the Cal 4. 3rd and 1 at CAL 4 Timeout Ucla, clock 01:06. 3rd and 1 at CAL 4 Kahlil Bell rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Cal 5. 4th and 2 at CAL 5 Timeout Ucla, clock 00:12. 4th and 2 at CAL 5 Kai Forbath 23 yard field goal GOOD. 10 17
First and 10 on the 13 with less than 2 minutes to go? UCLA scores a TD, its 17-14 going into half. UCLA has all the momentum. Keeping them to a FG at that point was a clear victory that kept Cal pushing forward towards a victory.
Yellow Fever: Man, I don't know. Seriously, it was the first half. I don't even remember this happening. Were we seriously worried about Kevin Craft?
TwistNHook: Yes, Kevin Craft had thrown 18 first half picks, but it was still only 17-7. Our offense was sputtering. And we're Cal fans. We're freaked out over anything and everything!
HydroTech: I was nervous.
Here's the highlight reel:
I guess it was a big stand at the time. Great tackle by MM.
CBKWit: Do you mean LBMM? I prefer the prophet Mohamed, but maybe that's just me.
TwistNHook: Mike Mohammed (PBUH)?
HydroTech: The goalline stand seemed more exciting at the time than on a highlight reel.
TwistNHook: Well, things are always more exciting in the heat of the moment than months later when you know we win the game comfortably. But I remember the two running plays as being very exciting. One for 0 yards, the other for -1. Stuffing the RBs is always an exciting time out for any Cal fan!
Ragnarok: It's not really a highlight-reel sort of play, but you could argue that this goal-line stand was a pivotal moment not just in this game, but in the Bears' season.
TwistNHook: Cal-lapse? NAILED IT!
HydroTech: I think it was a good call by CRN to run the ball instead of having Craft throw a pass for the touchdown. Had Craft thrown a pass it would surely have been intercepted and thus Cal would have gotten the ball on the 20 yardline. Instead, Cal got the ball backed up against their own goalline. A very smart strategic call by CRN.
TwistNHook: Yes, that CRN. Very strategic. He's totes taking that team somewhere.