Golden Nuggets: Senior Weekend Quotes and Highlights From Multiple Sports

Football, Water Polo and Men’s Soccer have their final home games this weekend.

By Nik Jam@NikJamTheMan Nov 5, 2017, 12:06pm PST

NCAA Football: Oregon State at California

Post-Game Video

California Head Coach Justin Wilcox

General thoughts on the game:

"Really proud of our team today. I thought they competed really hard, and I thought we played with an edge and chip on our shoulders. They came out since Monday and practiced well, paid attention to the details and all of the things that mattered, and we came out and executed pretty well. Offensively, we stayed in rhythm most of the game against a team that is playing really emotionally-charged football, playing good football. They've got good players and good schemes. I'm really proud of our offense and how they executed today and, defensively, defending that offense with the amount of shifts in motion and deceptives. Obviously, a couple of them got us early, but I thought the guys really settled down and played with good discipline and effort in running to the football and got good balance when we needed to. We were fortunate to get field goals when we needed to."

Ross Bowers, QB

On Patrick Laird's 200+ yard performance:

"It's awesome to watch, but it's nothing new. I know the numbers are a little flashier than some other games. He's a really good player and great leader. It's funny, because we almost expect him to do that now."

On being one game closer to bowl eligibility:

"It's great to be in a position to earn ourselves another game. This bye week is going to be huge for us. We can get in the mindset that 'it's just a bye week,' but we have to get significantly better in whatever the little things are and then get ready for our next game. We have our eyes on that sixth win for sure, but we're taking it one day at a time still."

Matt Anderson, K

On setting Cal's all-time scoring record on a 45-yard field goal:

"The team was nice enough to give me the football with the date on it; it's a good memento to have for the rest of my life. It's tough to measure it right now, but it's such an honor. It's so humbling and I'm so grateful. It was Doug Brien's record, who I've gotten to know. He's a phenomenal person and an amazing kicker – so it was an honor that it was his. To do it on Senior Day and the last time I'll ever play in California Memorial Stadium, it's kind of emotional. To do it in front of the home crowd, my family and friends, makes it even more special."

Raymond Davison III, ILB

On winning final home game on Senior Day:

"It feels really good. We put a lot of work in during practice. (James) Looney will tell you, we practice hard. It's frustrating when you've been practicing so hard and end up losing. This week we were like, 'We're not going to change what we do, but we have to find a way to win.' So we were going to scratch and claw, especially the seniors. I'm pretty emotional – I was almost about to cry today. You felt it at the beginning of the game that I was going to be emotional, but I knew we were going to have to find a way to win the game. I'm glad we did."

James Looney, DE

On winning final home game on Senior Day:

"It was extra special because it was the last one in Memorial. Berkeley has been the greatest experience of my life. I thank God for everything that He's blessed me with and to be able to go to a prestigious university. I've been around great guys. I played with Jared Goff, a number one overall pick in the NFL draft. I've played with some of my best friends like Aisea Tongilava and Chris Palmer. You just grow a bond with these guys and they become your brothers and your family. The program is going the right way and it's good to get back on the rise. We're going to enjoy this."

Post-Game Articles

Post-Game notes from Saturday.

Cal had zero punts today. It marked the sixth game in program history that Cal had zero punts in a game. The last time Cal had zero punts in a game was against USC in 2004.

Matt Anderson surpassed Doug Brien to become Cal's career leading scorer now with 297 points, passing Brien's 288. Anderson was 3-for-3 in field goals (with a long of 49) along with four extra points on the day.

Patrick Laird eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in the second quarter. It was his third career (and third this season) 100-yard rushing performance. He ended the day with career highs in rushes (33) and rushing yards (214) along with a touchdown. His previous career high in rushing yards was 191 against Weber State, which his previous career high in rush attempts was 28 against Arizona. Laird's six receptions were also a career high. He has caught at least five passes in five games this season. The last time a Cal player rushed for 200 yards was Jahvid Best (311) against Washington in 2008, and the last time a Cal player rushed 30 times in a game was Daniel Lasco (30) against Oregon State in 2014.

Takeaways from the game from Trace Travers.

Pre-Game Articles

Stats from all the Seniors that marched on Saturday.
Cal Athletics talked about the seniors as well.
Just missed this one as this published a few hours after my last Golden Nuggets. The SF Chronicle posted a spotlight article on Raymond Davison III.

Cal’s already-undermanned offensive line lost two more starters to injury during the past three weeks, a development that had linebacker Raymond Davison III wondering if he should start piling on weight.

“If they wanted me to play offensive line, I’d try to eat as much as I could in the next couple of days and go compete,” Davison said days ahead of his final home game, which will be Saturday against Oregon State. “Send me. Wherever you want me to play and whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it.

“I want the younger guys to see that I’m always willing to do anything to win.”

How the defense has rebounded this season thanks to Tim DeRuyter.
The Daily Cal also put the spotlight on Jordan Kunaszyk.
The three Sacramento Golden Bears - Gavin Reinwald, Kyle Wells, and Kunaszyk, are proud to be from their home town.
As Matt Anderson approached his Cal record, Ryan Gorcey did a spotlight feature on him and also talked about how he is finishing up his second Cal degree.

Misc.

E-Sports are now an official sport at Cal Rec Sports.
Volleyball takes on Oregon State in an hour. QCOnline.com did an article on their hometown player Isabel Potter.
In an hour, the Men’s Soccer team will take the field for the last time in the regular season at home. Six seniors, including Jose Carrera Garcia, will end their careers hopefully in the postseason.