While the 2012 recruiting season will always be remembered for the Tosh incident, many have overlooked the fact that Cal signed a solid class of recruits. What's the next step for Tedford? Turn this team's abundance of talent into some quality wins.
Let's, however, switch gears with a humble question: Did anyone notice that Cal signed ESPNU 150 receiver Darius Powe (Lakewood, Calif./Lakewood) and four-star receiver Bryce Treggs (Bellflower, Calif./St. John's Bosco)? Or the nation's No. 2 QB in Zach Kline? Seven of 17 signees were rated four stars.
Fact: Tedford and the Bears signed a good class. Yes, it could have been a great one. But you could say that about a lot of programs that finished second or third with elite prospects. Just imagine, for example, if USC had signed offensive linemen Andrus Peat and Kyle Murphy? Or Armstead, who originally committed to USC?
There should be no illusions about where Tedford and Cal stand. There is substantial and reasonable frustration over the recent trajectory of the program. It's based on wins and losses. It's based on the sense that Cal got big-timed by Washington with the loss of two assistant coaches. And it's based on a "what could have been" around the recruiting class.
Some see trouble. Tedford knows this. Naturally, he rejects it.
"The perception that we are in trouble is wrong because we aren't in trouble," Tedford said.
Not to go all Simon & Garfunkel in conclusion, but Tedford's task is simple: Build a bridge over these troubled waters. And start winning again in 2012.
After the jump the Bears defeat Arizona 78-74...or do they?
Football
- CalBears.com has something on every one of the 17 recruits who joined Cal on signing day.
- The Oakland Tribune also has some information on each one of the recruits.
- Cal's recruiting class was ranked 24th by Rivals, 38th by Scout, and 22nd by ESPN.
- Here is a lengthy set of quotes from Tedford's signing day press conference. As it was his first press conference since Lupoi's departure, Tedford answered many (too many for his tastes) questions related to that fiasco.
- Tedford said he and his staff will work to improve their online presence. Wilner says it is "inexcusable" that Tedford and his staff have had such a minimal presence online (except Lupoi, of course).
- Faraudo has more quotes from Tedford's press conference.
- On Thursday the Bears picked up DT Maurice Bennett and CB Willie Fletcher. They will help provide some depth at these thin positions on the depth chart.
Basketball
- After starting off with a 16-3 lead, the women's team had to rally from behind to force overtime against Arizona. The Bears prevailed in a 78-74 victory.
- Coach Gottlieb praised her team's resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity.
- The men's team was on the losing end of another 78-74 game. Oddly enough, they also ran out to a big lead early on before trying to rally late in the second half.
- Faraudo's game thread recaps the game minute by minute.
- BearTerritory.net recaps the Bears' first home loss of the season.
- Faraudo recaps the game for the Oakland Tribune.
- Quotes and video from the postgame press conference.
- CalBears.com has a photo gallery from the game.
- Washington finished their game on a 14-2 run to hold onto first place.
- Joe Pasternack appeared to have kicked Jorge Gutierrez when Jorge fell onto the Arizona bench.
- Ben Bodipo-Memba was hired as an assistant coach to replace Sam Crosson, who took a head coaching job at Cal Poly. Bodipo-Memba has an impressive resume highlighted by three NCAA tournament appearances, two ACC titles, and a conference tournament title while with Georgia Tech.