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On Saturday, we witnessed the debut of Sonny Dykes, Jared Goff, and the Bear Raid. But we also entered a brave new world of sorts at CGB. Following some recent developments, we managed to find our way into the press box for the 2013 season. CGB for the win!
Yes folks, CGB attained a media credential for football season, meaning: a seat in the box during home games and access to post-game & mid-week press conferences. Many thanks to Cal Athletics and Coach Dykes [and staff] for embracing social media and making this possible. We also salute (HT's all around) our peerless readers (CGB community) & fearless leaders (Avi, Twist, Kodiak), and lest we forget, our intrepid reporter Nam for his great work throughout fall camp!
The result: this new weekly series - morning-after-home-game posts - which will evolve as the season progresses. We'll continue to live-tweet & comment from the press box. We also hope to include post-game press conference Q&A and potentially player & coach interviews. We want you - our readers - to be involved! So please let us know in the comments, if you have any critiques or suggestions.
This week's post will focus on the interactions we observed and participated in during the game, via Twitter and CGB open threads - highlighting relevant tweets and the best "green" comments by our readers. Before we get to the action, here are some post-game stories & video for context:
Vlad Belo's game recap / norcalnick's post-game thoughts / Grant Marek's Goff Watch
Jeff Faraudo's blog / Hunter Hewitt's blog / Uncle Ted's blog
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Now onto the tweets & comments [please let us know if you'd like your comment removed from the list]:
Pre-Game
Nice touch by Rally Comm:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>students getting ready to welcome in the Dykes era <a href="http://t.co/qNNOGdJHdu">pic.twitter.com/qNNOGdJHdu</a></p>— Cal Rivals (@CalRivals) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalRivals/statuses/373966576782815233">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Take off that red shirt:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Marshawn Lynch wearing red (again) <a href="http://t.co/wZVS3ynWNh">pic.twitter.com/wZVS3ynWNh</a></p>— GoldenBlogs (@GoldenBlogs) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs/statuses/373993350166106113">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Section S/SS was ready early:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Beautiful! RT <a href="https://twitter.com/CalStudentSec">@CalStudentSec</a>: We've got a full house tonight ladies and gentlemen! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BeatNorthwestern&src=hash">#BeatNorthwestern</a> <a href="http://t.co/s5kgwHGGHr">pic.twitter.com/s5kgwHGGHr</a></p>— GoldenBlogs (@GoldenBlogs) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs/statuses/373995359791378432">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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While Redonk & Atoms were in mid-season form:
1st Quarter
Sonny won us over quickly:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>HOLY ##@$@#@#%@#!!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/CALCoachDykes">@CALCoachDykes</a> calling a FAKE FG!!! TD BEARS!!! d'amato to bouza 7-0 Cal</p>— GoldenBlogs (@GoldenBlogs) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs/statuses/373999257562275840">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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A convo with our neighbor in the box:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/CalRivals">@CalRivals</a> who took the under?</p>— GoldenBlogs (@GoldenBlogs) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs/statuses/374002197224112128">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Beastmode beastmoding on the sideline:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/MoneyLynch">@MoneyLynch</a> on the sidelines to support <a href="https://twitter.com/CalFootball">@CalFootball</a> in their home opener! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GoBears&src=hash">#GoBears</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BearRaid&src=hash">#BearRaid</a> <a href="http://t.co/2k9EDe5IBY">pic.twitter.com/2k9EDe5IBY</a></p>— Cal Football (@CalFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalFootball/statuses/374004426693828611">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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2nd Quarter
The defense had a rough 1st half:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/RGBearTerritory">@RGBearTerritory</a> ouch... Cal's thin secondary depth his hurting them, and the tentative pass rush (bc of stop-option emphasis) isn't helping</p>— GoldenBlogs (@GoldenBlogs) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs/statuses/374009806958231554">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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A convo with another neighbor:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/HunterHewitt">@HunterHewitt</a> Jefferson might actually be Cal's most consistent defender overall</p>— GoldenBlogs (@GoldenBlogs) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs/statuses/374014077158170624">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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The first of several bad breaks (Bigs' TD overturned on review):
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>i think we might see 2 plays on sportscenter tonight? RT <a href="https://twitter.com/CalRivals">@CalRivals</a> Brendan Bigelow ARE YOU KIDDING ME.</p>— GoldenBlogs (@GoldenBlogs) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs/statuses/374019273171021824">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Blue & GOLD:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>GO BEARS! <a href="http://t.co/NxMgpDaSiP">pic.twitter.com/NxMgpDaSiP</a></p>— Natalie Coughlin (@NatalieCoughlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/NatalieCoughlin/statuses/374013115777548289">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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3rd Quarter
After halftime adjustments, Goff was on fire in the 3rd Quarter:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs">@GoldenBlogs</a> Jared is starting to find his comfort zone & settling down into a rhythm -- 5 plays 75 yards in 54 seconds TEMPO <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BearRaid13&src=hash">#BearRaid13</a></p>— GoldenBlogs (@GoldenBlogs) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs/statuses/374031442797277184">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Chris Harper was too:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Cal&src=hash">#Cal</a>'s Chris Harper has 9 catches for 142 yards and 2TDs so far. The TD maker: <a href="http://t.co/v0XPN5rQUH">http://t.co/v0XPN5rQUH</a></p>— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNCFB/statuses/374039361181868032">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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ManBearCal was super cereal:
Every day really should be Saturday:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs">@GoldenBlogs</a> ROWR (y'all) (because Texans runnin' things there)</p>— edsbs (@edsbs) <a href="https://twitter.com/edsbs/statuses/374034964368474114">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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And the beginning of Injurygate 2013:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/sippinonpurple">@sippinonpurple</a> MT <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs">@GoldenBlogs</a> hope Northwestern's D-linemen are OK - they seem to be getting banged up alot ... 3 plays, 3 injuries</p>— GoldenBlogs (@GoldenBlogs) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs/statuses/374038467610546176">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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4th Quarter
Former Cal beat reporter (for CBS Sports) John Breech was in the stands:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Chris Harper has been making my phone camera work hard tonight, here's his second TD <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Cal&src=hash">#Cal</a> <a href="http://t.co/Jhize0JPej">pic.twitter.com/Jhize0JPej</a></p>— John Breech (@johnbreech) <a href="https://twitter.com/johnbreech/statuses/374040187463950337">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Regarding halftime adjustments on defense:
Coach Fitz has some 'splainin to do:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Northwestern&src=hash">#Northwestern</a> with ANOTHER injured player. It's as if they didn't do summer conditioning with <a href="https://twitter.com/coachDamon51">@coachDamon51</a> or something...</p>— Cal Rivals (@CalRivals) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalRivals/statuses/374042728188751872">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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And so do the Pac-12 refs:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>we're tweeting from the press box for <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs">@goldenblogs</a> ... Chris McCain just got ejected for [targeting]</p>— Cal Football Blog (@CalFootballBlog) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalFootballBlog/statuses/374045219760521218">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>hook and ladder to Khalfani, helmet to helmet hit by NW defender - HE BETTER GET EJECTED FOR TARGETING THERE</p>— Cal Football Blog (@CalFootballBlog) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalFootballBlog/statuses/374050507771219969">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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No breaks for Cal, because well... Cal:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Lightning strikes again for NU. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23PickSix&src=hash">#PickSix</a> part 2. Collin Ellis gets his 2nd INT TD for <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Northwestern&src=hash">#Northwestern</a>. Cats go up 37-27 w/ 7:57 left 4thQ.</p>— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNCFB/statuses/374048223771385856">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Post-Game
After the clock hit all zeros:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>103 plays, 17.5 seconds per play. I thought we actually looked a little slow out there. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BearRaid&src=hash">#BearRaid</a></p>— GoldenBlogs (@GoldenBlogs) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs/statuses/374056436906463233">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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National media had good things to say about Cal & made NW Injurygate an instant story overnight:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>...love the way the Bears play...mostly love how welcoming folks were...what a stunning place to go to school...thanks Cal...</p>— Michael Wilbon (@RealMikeWilbon) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealMikeWilbon/statuses/374215470968090624">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>They're gonna lose, but whatever. Cal's gonna be crazy-ass aggressive and a hell storm by the end of the season. LOVE.</p>— edsbs (@edsbs) <a href="https://twitter.com/edsbs/statuses/374055396941758464">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Cal fans: Do after Northwestern faked injuries, do you retroactively get mad at your team for 2010 vs. Oregon? Or… blame Tosh!</p>— ESPN_Pac12blog (@ESPN_Pac12blog) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPN_Pac12blog/statuses/374186210538696705">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Did Northwestern fake injuries at Cal? Sonny Dykes takes the high road <a href="http://t.co/wKtC5UDvRi">http://t.co/wKtC5UDvRi</a></p>— Dr. Saturday (@YahooDrSaturday) <a href="https://twitter.com/YahooDrSaturday/statuses/374194976734724098">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Local media took note as well:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Jared Goff is 38 for 63 for 445 yards -- 2nd-most in school history. Bears ran 99 plays -- 3rd-most ever.</p>— Jeff Faraudo (@JeffFaraudo) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffFaraudo/statuses/374058946459205633">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Northwestern beats Cal 44-30 in an absolutely wild debut for Sonny Dykes and Jared Goff</p>— Hunter Hewitt (@HunterHewitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/HunterHewitt/statuses/374058054611771392">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Press Conference
We'll have more editorial integrity next Saturday:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>lesson learned for next week: do not get lost in the bowels of the stadium looking for the press conference room - we missed the presser</p>— GoldenBlogs (@GoldenBlogs) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs/statuses/374067179320115202">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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We had a list of questions prepared:
Some of them were answered by Dykes, Goff, and Treggs:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Dykes on Goff: "I thought it was a heck of a performance by a young kid"</p>— Cal Rivals (@CalRivals) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalRivals/statuses/374061440107159552">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Dykes on NU injuries: "it was just unusual, seemed like every time we had a first down, they had an injury"</p>— Cal Rivals (@CalRivals) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalRivals/statuses/374062776143982592">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Dykes on fake FG: "I thought we had to show the players that we were playing to win, not to not lose." <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Cal&src=hash">#Cal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BearRaid&src=hash">#BearRaid</a></p>— Ryan Gorcey (@RGBearTerritory) <a href="https://twitter.com/RGBearTerritory/statuses/374062922084802561">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Post-Game Presser Video (8/31/13): Dykes <a href="http://t.co/GcyAIbjr6x">http://t.co/GcyAIbjr6x</a> | Goff <a href="http://t.co/yWCoLPN7Tm">http://t.co/yWCoLPN7Tm</a> | Treggs <a href="http://t.co/GyovzCjtHX">http://t.co/GyovzCjtHX</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GoBears&src=hash">#GoBears</a></p>— Cal Football (@CalFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalFootball/statuses/374093114366898177">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Odds & Ends
The post-game handshake was.... awkward:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>tough loss, but our guys left it all on the field tonite... Coach did not look happy during the postgame handshake <a href="http://t.co/GBgW6QWQvn">pic.twitter.com/GBgW6QWQvn</a></p>— GoldenBlogs (@GoldenBlogs) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs/statuses/374094805246042112">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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The tweets from the box were fast & furious! Live-tweeting at Bear Raid tempo = banishment to Twitter jail starting in the 4th Quarter:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs">@GoldenBlogs</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/CalFootballBlog">@CalFootballBlog</a> are both in Twitter jail. So I'm your postgame announcer!</p>— avinashkunnath (@avinashkunnath) <a href="https://twitter.com/avinashkunnath/statuses/374055725569282048">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Obligatory press box photo:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>view from the press box (editorial integrity?!) MT <a href="https://twitter.com/veritek">@veritek</a> Go Bears!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Cal&src=hash">#Cal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Northwestern&src=hash">#Northwestern</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BearRaid13&src=hash">#BearRaid13</a> <a href="http://t.co/VmXAsNKaPE">pic.twitter.com/VmXAsNKaPE</a></p>— GoldenBlogs (@GoldenBlogs) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs/statuses/373973176763420672">September 1, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[shoutout to Avi, RedonkulousBear, and Scientist019, and others for their help with the tweet-embedding, GIF-making, and social media savvy; special thanks to Cal's social media ninja Sundeep Dhillon and Twitter's Twitter guru Aaron Moy for their online advocacy]