clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Cal vs. Oregon: Postgame Notes

Cal lost to Oregon 55-16, in a game that started in a torrential downpour. Despite the ugly loss, there were a few notable items - including Zach Kline's debut (in relief of Jared Goff), and Jeffrey Coprich's first career rushing touchdown. Let's take a quick look at some postgame notes.

Jeff Coprich scored his first career TD
Jeff Coprich scored his first career TD
Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/naYB-9goVWk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="http://t.co/CWV3XXG8Ja">pic.twitter.com/CWV3XXG8Ja</a></p>&mdash; Cal Football (@CalFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalFootball/statuses/384149442544168960">September 29, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The picture above says it all - it was "raining sideways" at the start of the game and the monsoon continued well into the 1st quarter.  Due in large part to the wet and windy conditions, Cal lost 4 fumbles on its first 4 possessions.  Cal couldn't recover any of Oregon's early fumbles, before quickly falling behind 27-0.  Cal finally got a recovery of its own at the end of the 1st quarter, but by then the game was already out of hand.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>GM: And then Oregon fumbles the ball and <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Cal&amp;src=hash">#Cal</a> recovers. Never in 13 years of journalism have I covered a game like this.</p>&mdash; Cal Rivals (@CalRivals) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalRivals/statuses/384158113122615297">September 29, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

For more details on the game, check out:

- Norcalnick's game recap / Hunter Hewitt's report / Jeff Faraudo's story

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PGO7aVOyy4g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>&quot;That was as bad a performance as you could have in a lot of ways ...that falls on me,&quot; Dykes says.</p>&mdash; Ryan Gorcey (@RGBearTerritory) <a href="https://twitter.com/RGBearTerritory/statuses/384203295977254912">September 29, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>&quot;Jared was just having a really difficult time holding onto the fb, and we felt like we couldn&#39;t get anything done,&quot; says Dykes.</p>&mdash; Ryan Gorcey (@RGBearTerritory) <a href="https://twitter.com/RGBearTerritory/statuses/384203832076410881">September 29, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Kline came in late in the 1st quarter, after Goff had lost 2 fumbles.  When asked at the post-game presser, Coach Sonny Dykes noted that Goff is still the starter.  Per Hewitt's game notes:

“We felt like we were having a hard time getting anything done,” Dykes said. “We needed to make a change.”

Goff thought the decision was warranted.

“They made a decision to put Zach in and at the time it was probably the best decision,” he said.

Dykes said following the game he expects Goff to start next week against Washington State, but he liked some of what he saw from Kline.

“If we get into a rain situation again, we’ll have to evaluate it at that point,” he said. “But I would think that Jared would be our starting quarterback.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Coprich scores for his 1st career TD as a Golden Bear, 55-10 Ducks <a href="https://twitter.com/CalFootball">@CalFootball</a></p>&mdash; GoldenBlogs (@GoldenBlogs) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs/statuses/384183415542538241">September 29, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Here are excerpts from Cal's postgame notes [and also the official stats]:

Zach Kline made his collegiate debut towards the end of the first quarter. He finished the game completing 18 of 37 passes for 165 yards, one TD (to James Grisom) and one interception.

Entering tonight’s game, Jeff Coprich had one carry for two yards vs. Portland State. Tonight, he posted 14 carries for 51 yards and his first career rushing touchdown.

In the raining conditions, the teams combined for 10 fumbles and six lost (4 Cal, 2 Oregon).

In the first quarter, Jalen Jefferson recovered a fumble by Oregon’s Thomas Tyner. That was the Ducks’ first turnover of the season. Overall, the Bears forced five fumbles, recovering two.

Vincenzo D’Amato kicked a season-long 46-yard field goal on the final play of the first half. The Pac-12 leader in field goals, D’Amato has made 9 of his 10 attempts this season.

Kyle Kragen notched his first career sack in the first quarter. Lucas King garnered his first fumble recovery in the third quarter. Stefan McClure set a personal best in pass breakups with three.

Oregon took two punt returns for touchdowns. The last time Cal allowed a punt return for a touchdown was also by the Ducks in 2010.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>That&#39;s an ESPN Top 10 play. Addison just juked all of Cal&#39;s team on another punt return TD. Ducks up 48-3</p>&mdash; Hunter Hewitt (@HunterHewitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/HunterHewitt/statuses/384177209096671232">September 29, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/P_jqgFXkqVw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

And some injury news:

Kam Jackson was injured in the 1st quarter, on a cut block by an Oregon receiver.  Khalfani Muhammad reportedly left the game in the first half with a head injury, and Mike Lowe appeared to sustain a lower leg injury in the 4th quarter.  The statuses of all 3 players should be more clear by Monday.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>DB Kameron Jackson (leg), RB Khalfani Muhammand (head) both out the rest of the game, per Cal.</p>&mdash; Cal Rivals (@CalRivals) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalRivals/statuses/384181667541180416">September 29, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/Kameron3Jackson">@Kameron3Jackson</a>: Thanks for prayers y&#39;all! I&#39;m doing good. Minor setback for a major comeback !</p>&mdash; GoldenBlogs (@GoldenBlogs) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenBlogs/statuses/384214364225425408">September 29, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ScU9uKwEqXw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>