California Golden Blogs - Cal upsets #11 Texas thanks to Chad Hansen's one-man showThe OG CGB team moved to WriteForCalifornia.com. Cal Golden Bears coverage by SBNation.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48267/cgb-fave.png2016-09-22T10:35:03-07:00http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/rss/stream/124360612016-09-22T10:35:03-07:002016-09-22T10:35:03-07:00Golden Spotlight: Davis Webb Directs the Cal Passing Attack Versus Texas
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<img alt="Texas v California" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/POK1bxjP0ml6psfFCIACmgWkTWk=/0x0:3456x2304/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50968809/607930774.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Cal's pass offense has not missed a beat with the departure of Jared Goff, and is thriving under the command of Davis Webb.</p> <p id="inq8y7">Cal's passing attack was very successful against Texas, averaging 9.9 yards per pass attempt. Two plays in the fourth quarter stood out to me. The first stood out due to great play design, and the second due to great Quarterbacking by <span>Davis Webb</span>. Let's take a look at these two plays.</p>
<h3 id="FQD5vx"><strong>4th Quarter, 5:02 Remaining</strong></h3>
<h3 id="heVcM2"><strong>Score Tied at 43</strong></h3>
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<img alt="Texas vs. Cal" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_thCeOhe0Ih-HP2qm-sG6M2F9Aw=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7130799/Texas_vs._Cal_1A.0.png">
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<p id="xUqJWi">Cal is facing a 2nd and 10 from their own 35 yard line. The offense has 10 personnel on the field (1 RB, 0 TE, 4 WRs). It's unclear what defense Texas has on the field, but it is possibly a nickel defense (5 DBs on the field). The outside CBs are showing man coverage on the outside, and there appears to be only one deep safety. The other eight defenders are in the box.</p>
<p id="trRL9h">Cal lines up with two WRs right, and 1 WR left. The QB <span>Davis Webb</span> is in shotgun and the RB Muhammad is to the QB's left. WR #1 Stovall is in the backfield to the QB's right. Just prior to the snap, the QB motions WR #1 Stovall to the left. The ball is then snapped.</p>
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<p id="IdKcf4">Immediately, the look that the offense is presenting to the offense is one of a quick pass to WR #1 Stovall on the left in the backfield. The other WR who was lined up on the left side of the formation runs a deep go route along the left sideline. These two route combinations basically form a high/low read against the DB to the offense's left side of the field. The QB has the option of throwing the ball short if the DB stays deep, or throw it deep if the DB stays close to the LOS to cover WR #1 Stovall. QB Davis Webb sells this combination by looking to his left (green vision cone). Will he take the high or the low?</p>
<p id="9HYPZa">He will do neither, because that's not what the offense intends to do! This is a deception play. The offensive linemen let the Texas defensive linemen penetrate the pocket. This is a screen play!</p>
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<p id="MiMgHP">After the ball is snapped, RB Muhammad sneaks out of the backfield and runs to the right flat to receive the screen pass (gold arrow). QB Davis Webb looks towards Muhammad for the screen (green vision cone). Muhammad even raises his hand to draw attention to himself. Why is he doing that? Because he's selling the screen. Because... this play isn't actually a screen play!</p>
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<p id="Z8TbDl">It's a fake screen. The slot WR to the right of the formation is WR #17 Jordan Veasy. After the ball was snapped, he slowly ran towards the Texas linebackers feigning his intent to block for the screen... but then as soon as the Texas LBs bite on the fake screen, Veasy runs right by them on a post route right down the middle of the field.</p>
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<p id="apaldS">QB Davis Webb hits Veasy perfectly for a big completion!</p>
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<p id="OjaxDA">Below, is the play in motion. (Click on the video to view a bigger and higher resolution video.)</p>
<div id="BmKnaI"><iframe scrolling="no" src="https://gfycat.com/ifr/ImpracticalMajorLadybug" frameborder="0" width="640"></iframe></div>
<p id="pf525a">What's so special about this play aside from the fact that it went for a big gain? This is a <strong>double</strong> deception play. Most deception plays only have one level of deception. For example, a playaction pass has one level of deception; it fakes a run, when it's actually a pass. But this play has two levels of deception; it fakes a quick high/low read pass to the left, it then fakes a RB screen to the right, when in fact the play is a designed pass play all along.</p>
<p id="NsxnvP">If you listen closely to the telecast, you can even hear a Texas player or coach on the sideline getting fooled by this play. You can hear him yell "screen" after the ball is snapped and the fake screen develops. He was fooled by the offense's second level of deception.</p>
<p id="fPdXpV">These types of double deception plays can be pretty devastating and very difficult for the defense to cover, especially when it stresses the defense all across the field as this play does (fakes high/low pass left, fake screen right).</p>
<h3 id="m60AKU"> </h3>
<h3 id="qqJcpg"><strong>4th Quarter, 3:45 Remaining</strong></h3>
<h3 id="LaOt46">
<strong>Score Tied at 43</strong> </h3>
<p id="mizGsU">Cal is facing a 1st and 10 from the Texas 13 yard line. The offense has 10 personnel on the field (1 RB, 0 TE, 4 WRs). Cal is in a 2x2 formation with two WRs to each side of the formation. Cal QB Davis Webb is in shotgun with RB Enwere to his right. It's unclear what defense Texas has on the field, but it looks like it might be a 4-3 defense, with the right defensive end (RDE) upright, and LBs lined up against Cal's slot WRs. It seems insane to do that, but based on the jersey numbers of those players they are LBs.</p>
<p id="Xgbj3O">The defense is showing what appears to be a Cover-2 man look, which means they're playing man coverage with two deep safeties. That's six men in coverage, and five men showing blitz along the line of scrimmage.</p>
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<p id="ZJA9p4">Just prior to the snap of the football, we see the defense shift! They had been disguising their coverage, and now we see what they're really doing! The defense's right DE backs off the LOS and appears to be preparing to drop into coverage. The LB which had been covering Cal's right slot WR now shows blitz, and the safety to the offense's right side of the field now drops down into man coverage against the right slot WR. Texas basically has switched which side of the offense they are going to blitz their 5th defender (switching from offense's left to offense's right), and instead of playing 2 deep safeties they instead will play 1 deep safety and 1 underneath zone (the RDE who backed off the LOS).</p>
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<p id="pcDXi6">Just prior to the snap, the defense is now showing Cover-1 man. Man coverage on the outside WRs, with one deep safety. Cal QB Davis Webb has to see this change quickly, and assess where he will throw the ball.</p>
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<p id="QaVOiQ">We all know at this point that Cal WR <span>Chad Hansen</span> is running a post route. Hansen is the WR at the bottom of the screen. Against man coverage with a single high safety, the post route will be open. Cal QB Davis Webb knows this. But before he can make the throw, he has to give himself a passing window to throw through. He can't just look to Hansen right away. The Texas safety will be reading his eyes and will go straight for Hansen if Webb looks that way. Instead, Webb must <strong>deceive</strong> the safety by looking him off. Webb must either look left and away from Hansen, or at the very least look down the middle of the field to hold the safety.</p>
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<p id="38f93C">After the snap of the football, Webb holds the safety in the middle of the field with the slightest of glances to his (Webb's) left. The safety reacts just enough, moving with Webb's eyes away from Hansen -- at which point Webb makes the throw to Hansen. By that time, it's too late for the Texas safety to stop the pass.</p>
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<p id="Izwp5D">Webb's pass is perfect and Hansen catches the pass for the go-ahead touchdown!</p>
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<p id="WbbTql">Why is this play so interesting? It's because Webb does a fantastic job recognizing the defensive coverage after they drop their disguise. Webb also exhibits NFL level skills by holding the Texas safety, just enough, to keep the passing window open to make the throw to <span>Chad Hansen</span>.</p>
<p id="1FczxY">Here's a video of the play. (Click on the video for a bigger and higher quality resolution.)</p>
<div id="Ej2hOn"><p><iframe width="640" frameborder="0" src="https://gfycat.com/ifr/DifferentHandsomeBedbug" scrolling="no"></iframe></p></div>
<p id="AdGGwY">While there was no build-in deception on this play like a screen play or playaction pass, Cal QB Davis Webb created the deception by using his eyes to hold/move the safety. Do you know who else was really good at doing this? <span>Jared Goff</span>.</p>
<p id="oqjtn8">If Webb keeps up his high level of play, he could be collecting a paycheck to play football on Sundays.</p>
https://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2016/9/22/13010128/davis-webb-california-golden-bears-quarterback-gamefilm-analysis-nfl-draft-2017HydroTech2016-09-21T05:20:03-07:002016-09-21T05:20:03-07:00Sonny Dykes: Cal football players to hand touchdown balls to officials
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Texas at California" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/z6LZ2MzCpKDCdYQshaF5aYc5XLQ=/0x21:4662x3129/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50953959/usa-today-9548025.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Company policy!</p> <p id="KpBA8O">After the mini-heart attack Vic Enwere gave the Golden Bears on Saturday night in Cal, it seemed inevitable that policies would be put in place in the locker room to prevent situations like that from occurring again. </p>
<p id="ca6W9p">The simple rule is this: Cal will score a touchdown, and they will immediately find a referee to give the football to afterward. This will become an important part of overall practice discipline to ensure that Cal can guarantee they score touchdowns when there are no defenders in front of them. </p>
<p id="65SYyE"><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fncaab%2F2016%2F09%2F18%2Fsonny-dykes-california-dropping-ball-vic-enwere-joe-mixon-ray-ray-mccloud%2F90648182%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.californiagoldenblogs.com%2F2016%2F9%2F21%2F12998688%2Fsonny-dykes-california-golden-bears-football-touchdown" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">More from the USA Today</a>:</p>
<blockquote id="K32N9z">
<p>In a team meeting Sunday, California coach Sonny Dykes planned to issue a new rule.</p>
<p>“Every time we score a touchdown from now on, we will hand the ball directly to an official,” Dykes said.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="26uG09">Here are your full indepth press conferences, starting with Dykes. </p>
<div id="ksFo5T"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/USmYXJU6OBU?wmode=transparent&rel=0&autohide=1&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="t3FTHf">Also getting interviewed were Cal quarterback Davis Webb...</p>
<div id="rJHFW6"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3_WiTUJrnrg?wmode=transparent&rel=0&autohide=1&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="WSZWYU">Cal defensive back Luke Rubenzer....</p>
<div id="XFY5RV"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kdZtHhwS3NQ?wmode=transparent&rel=0&autohide=1&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="dpjQ5U">and Cal wide reciever Patrick Worstell, who earned a scholarship before the season along with Bradley Northnagel. </p>
<div id="SdxYHV"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bPuAeTA57fU?wmode=transparent&rel=0&autohide=1&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div></div></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congrats to former walk-ons <a href="https://twitter.com/bnorth48">@bnorth48</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/PWorstell88">@PWorstell88</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Scholarships?src=hash">#Scholarships</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoBears?src=hash">#GoBears</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CalFamily?src=hash">#CalFamily</a> <a href="https://t.co/0j2F2ZSLZs">pic.twitter.com/0j2F2ZSLZs</a></p>— Cal Football (@CalFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalFootball/status/764288976660209664">August 13, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="0KF3u4"><a href="http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2016/9/18/12957936/watch-california-golden-bears-texas-longhorns-chad-hansen-davis-webb-vic-enwere">Bilentikoff Award watch list wide receiver Chad Hansen is a busy man</a>, but all eyes were on him in the post-practice video. </p>
<div id="1N7uDI"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QAT8_eK5O-M?wmode=transparent&rel=0&autohide=1&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="IDw63p">Obviously it’s a bummer to lose some of the aspects of touchdown celebrations, but most touchdown celebrations don’t even involve the football, so expect Chad Hansen to keep on coming up with more clever stuff like <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2016/9/18/12957004/cal-texas-horns-down">Horns Down</a> and <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/cal-player-impersonates-aussie-rules-football-official-in-touchdown-celebration/">Aussie Rules celebration.</a></p>
https://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2016/9/21/12998688/sonny-dykes-california-golden-bears-football-touchdownAvinash Kunnath2016-09-20T14:17:27-07:002016-09-20T14:17:27-07:00What were the keys to victory for Cal against Texas?
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<img alt="Texas v California" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cz2lh4o_7MQRXuwMEWy30vog-yE=/0x0:5184x3456/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50945911/607931466.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>What were the biggest positives from the Cal upset?</p> <p id="kempTZ"><strong>What were the biggest keys to victory for Cal upsetting Texas? What were the biggest positives you saw?</strong></p>
<p id="rzlwx8"><strong>LeonPowe</strong>: Chad Hansen. Handsome Hansen. #BiletnikoffHansen. Hansen, so hot right now. </p>
<p id="FMCq5V">Also, Webb is looking really good. Our o-line (except on the edge) was looking tough. Looney was pressuring all day. Franklin and Vanderbilt came up with some hits and timely tackles. LUUUUUUKKKKEEEE continues to be a ball-hawk. And this team doesn't get down. They play hard. </p>
<p id="tKRaf2">Also, let's credit special teams - one week after laying an egg - they played almost flawlessly - the one big exception was the punt block. Klumph was hitting missles. Matt Anderson continues to be reliable. Some big returns. Some great tackles by our gunners. </p>
<p id="19flZ8"><strong>Nik Jam</strong>: Defense made adjustments and started to make stops in the second half! As a Raider fan that attended the Falcons game on Sunday, I know that sometimes the defense just stinks the whole game and lets the other team march down the field from stop to finish, with no signs of hope. That final three and out was AMAZING.</p>
<p id="VYYL4Q">Also, the offense kept responding to Texas's scores, which they didn't always do against San Diego State. Very encouraging development for our young players.</p>
<p id="cJqhS9"><strong>boomtho:</strong> Biggest key to victory was us having Davis Webb + Hansen/Stovall. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3GF1x0-VX0&t=98s">It reminds me of that scene from the Avengers - "I have an army", "We have a hulk."</a> Time and time again, Webb and Hansen/Stovall came through on big downs, keeping drives alive or finishing drives with TD. It's really remarkable when a defense knows exactly what you want to do, and yet is powerful to stop it - and that's already where we are in Game 3 with these guys.</p>
<p id="ZrYeyY">The second biggest positive was how our defense stepped up in a HUGE way in the second half. After the fireworks in the first half, holding Texas scoreless in the 3rd was an amazing turnaround. However, our defense wasn't done there - on the biggest drive of the game, the Cal defense absolutely stoned a WR screen before getting to Buechele twice (!!) to force Texas to punt. </p>
<p id="8fwdpf">Special teams was also definitely a positive game, even with Texas blocking a punt for a safety. Klumph boomed some kicks (including a ~60+ yarder), Khalfani got great yardage on his returns (despite nearly fumbling on his last, which would have turned the game on its head), and our coverage was very solid. Special teams has been a positive in 2/3 games, except for SDSU with the return TD... nice work Coach Tommerdahl, let's hope it continues!</p>
<p id="iIRNKG">Beyond that, the last big positive was the team's fight/resolve. This is certainly a hallmark of Dykes' coached teams (vs the late Tedford ones, at least), but there were a ton of points in the game where Texas appeared to have made the back-breaking play, only for Cal to storm back the next possession.</p>
<p id="yn7hKD"><strong>Ruey Yen</strong>: For the second straight game against a decent opponent, the Golden Bears got the chance to win the game late with everything riding on the Bear Raid offense. It takes a whole team effort (some defensive plays, some special team plays) to be able to do that. Even with the Bears down by two scores, the team kept on fighting. You can feel how the entire team feels like that the Bear Raid can score on anyone fast enough if given the chance. Redeeming the failed drive against San Diego State last week, Webb and company were able to made some key plays to get it done this time (sure, the home field probably helped). Let's see how the success of this game and the expected growing confidence will impact how the Bears execute in Pac-12 play.</p>
<p id="jIjvjT"><strong>HydroTech:</strong> Cal's passing offense kept us in the game. Without Davis Webb slinging dimes across the field, I think we would have lost the game. Also, it must be noted that Cal ran 40 pass plays and 40 run plays, for an even 50/50 pass/run balance. (Due to a few sacks going down as rush plays, it was probably more like 42 pass plays and 38 run plays, but close enough.) </p>
<p id="7RO7oc">This perfect 50/50 pass/run balance is great -- in theory. But Cal was averaging 9.9 yards per pass attempt versus 2.8 yards per rush attempt. I'm all for a fairly balanced attack, except when one attack is working better than the other, then I think it's better to stick with what's working. I think Cal should have passed more against Texas. Nevertheless, I appreciate the very obvious and concerted effort by Spavital (Cal's offensive coordinator) to try and keep things more balanced against Texas than he did against SDSU. </p>
<p id="ZVaLxT"><strong>KWBears: </strong> I concur with LeonPowe. Chad Hansen's swag was pretty damn amazing. The confidence exuded by Cal's team was undeniable -- that is a huge positive. No more head-hanging like we've been accustomed to in recent years.</p>
<p id="DRDLsI"><strong>Berkelium97</strong>: One of the biggest positives was listening to Mark Jones torment Rod Gilmore about being on the wrong side of The Play multiple times throughout the evening. Mark poured salt, lemon juice, and bleach in that wound. It was wonderful.</p>
<p id="qzhT2B">Seriously, though, the defense was a surprising positive. As <a href="http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2016/9/19/12962932/texas-cal-football-davis-webb-vic-enwere-luke-rubenzer">Nick pointed out</a>, Texas scored on 4 of their first 6 possessions and only once in their final 9 possessions. While we didn't find a way to stop the run, we slowed it down. And we also turned a previously decent Texas passing game into a pretty poor performance. As a result of those improvements in the second half, we held Texas scoreless in the 3rd and to only 10 second-half points. Did <em>anyone</em> think we'd hold them to 10 points in a half? I certainly didn't.</p>
<p id="ZHFiOT"></p>
https://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2016/9/20/12992966/california-golden-bears-texas-longhorns-2016-upset-positives-keysLeonPoweNik JamboomthoRuey YenHydroTechKevin WuBerkelium972016-09-20T12:14:23-07:002016-09-20T12:14:23-07:00Davis Webb named Rose Bowl Pac-12 Player of the Week<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/CalFootball/status/778023906284228608">Davis Webb named Rose Bowl Pac-12 Player of the&nbsp;Week</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>See more on Chad Hansen here:</p></p>
<p><p><em>Webb was 27-of-40 for 396 yards and four touchdowns without an interception against the Longhorns while picking up another score on a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. He is ranked second nationally in completions (106), passing yards (1,359), passing yards per game (453.0) and passing touchdowns (13). He is also third in total offense (1,299), points responsible for (90) and points responsible for per game (30.7 ppg). In addition, his 166 passing attempts lead the country.</em></p></p></div>
https://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2016/9/20/12991390/davis-webb-named-rose-bowl-pac-12-player-of-the-weekAvinash Kunnath2016-09-20T07:30:03-07:002016-09-20T07:30:03-07:00The Pod Is On The Field - [Texas Special Edition]
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<figcaption>John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In which we finally, finally friggin do it.</p> <p>Nam and Scott had to record something for Texas alone, because the game was too big to leave to just half an hour. It's another edition of the most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heart-rending... exciting, thrilling pod in the history of college football! (And this week, we mean it!)</p>
<p>A podcast on Arizona State is on the way for later in the week.</p>
<p><iframe width="100%" height="450" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/283572302&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true"></iframe></p>
<p>Your schedule:</p>
<p>-Opening thoughts from Nam (<a href="https://cal.rivals.com/news/the-novel-texas">a more formal, polished version of his opening statement kicks off The Novel</a>)</p>
<p>-Lots of things for 40 mins. We go offense. We go defense. We go specific X's and O's -- what did Cal do differently? What was in the gameplan on offense? Who surprised? We talk scheme for the first time. Just listen, man.</p>
<p>-Special teams praise -- SPECIAL TEAMS PRAISE!</p>
<p>-Grab bag: stories from the game, #saturdaysareforthebears, why does Spav wear a black shirt, other things</p>
<p>-Nam is a corny sap</p>
<p>-What are we drinking to? -- Scott's choice</p>
<p>-Shoutouts</p>
https://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2016/9/20/12986250/cal-football-podcast-texasNam LeScott Chong2016-09-19T11:37:08-07:002016-09-19T11:37:08-07:00Chad Hansen is the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week!
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<p>What a start.</p> <p id="5idnMK">Not many people believed in Chad Hansen coming out of college. He had no offers and no stars to his name and started his career in Idaho State. After receiving his release, the interest only really came from Cal. <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/collegesports/article/Chad-Hansen-emerges-as-Cal-s-go-to-receiver-9198747.php">More from Connor Letourneau</a>:</p>
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<p>In spring 2014, after receiving his release from Idaho State, <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/search/?action=search&channel=collegesports&inlineLink=1&searchindex=gsa&query=%22Chad+Hansen%22">Chad Hansen</a> hardly needed to hear that teams didn’t think he was good enough to play major-college football. The lack of interest from <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/search/?action=search&channel=collegesports&inlineLink=1&searchindex=gsa&query=%22Power+Five%22">Power Five</a> conference programs told him all he needed to know.</p>
<p>Still, two of the coaches who saw his highlight video — one with Arizona State, the other with San Diego State — explicitly encouraged Hansen to reconsider leaving the <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/search/?action=search&channel=collegesports&inlineLink=1&searchindex=gsa&query=%22Bengals%22">Bengals</a>. The message was blunt: His skills didn’t warrant the chance at a higher level.</p>
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<p id="c5otAs">Cal eventually found him though. <a href="http://www.scout.com/college/california/story/1702559-chad-hansen-a-motivated-man">More from Ryan Gorcey</a>. </p>
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<p>While the Aztecs wouldn't bite, Cal graduate assistant David Gru did. Of the 35 to 45 tapes Gru gets from hopeful recruits per week, Hansen's film stuck out. Then, he looked at Hansen's high school tape. He saw a first-team All-Marmonte League and Ventura County Choice in 2012, catching 49 balls for 882 yards and 12 touchdowns.</p>
<p>He saw an athlete who took home MVP honors in football and track, winning the Marmonte League title in the 100 meters (running a personal best 10.91 time at the CIF Southern Section Division 2 Prelims in 2013), and had a 4.47 40 time. That, Gru knew, he could work with. He took the film in to Dykes, and made his case. Gru got the go-ahead, and offered Hansen a walk-on spot. Hansen hasn't given the Bears any cause to regret that decision.</p>
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<p id="z4g5ER"></p>
<p id="4HUcAS">Now? Sky’s the limit.</p>
<p id="tR128R">Chad Hansen is the Pac-12 offensive player of the week, piling up 196 receiving yards on 12 catches, grabbing two touchdowns (including the game winner), and adding a two point conversion and a Horns Down for good measure. </p>
<p id="5Yg8Kv">It’s been a godly weekend for Hansen, who remains the best receiver in college football by a mile. Start the Biletnikoff watch now, because Hansen is setting the pace to start 2016. </p>
<ul id="Vc1wqI">
<li>Tied for first in FBS in receptions (39)</li>
<li id="5MBSp6">Tied for first in FBS in receiving touchdowns (5)</li>
<li id="8KHLDD">First in FBS in receiving yards (536)</li>
<li id="3ucBUg">First in FBS in yards per game (178.7)</li>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Chad Hansen <a href="https://twitter.com/Chad_Hansen6">@Chad_Hansen6</a> <br><br>T-1st in FBS in receptions<br>1st in yards<br>T-1st TDs<br>1st YPG <a href="https://t.co/RtjhThXSIa">https://t.co/RtjhThXSIa</a> <a href="https://t.co/jLpQzSD8LE">pic.twitter.com/jLpQzSD8LE</a></p>— Avinash Kunnath (@avinashkunnath) <a href="https://twitter.com/avinashkunnath/status/777936773045366785">September 19, 2016</a>
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<p id="Q7XAL9">A look back at some of Hansen’s best moments against Texas.</p>
<p id="B1Werc">There was this insane catch along the sideline.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cal's Chad Hansen is absurd. What a catch <a href="https://t.co/U7rlELJdus">https://t.co/U7rlELJdus</a></p>— Jack McGuire (@BigDaddysCourt) <a href="https://twitter.com/BigDaddysCourt/status/777386613194252288">September 18, 2016</a>
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<p id="IhNl2I">There was the famous Horns Down moment after a touchdown where Hansen looked up to the sky and grabbed it.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Touchdown . <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoBears?src=hash">#GoBears</a> <a href="https://t.co/z8XNZ2mzwb">pic.twitter.com/z8XNZ2mzwb</a></p>— Cal Football (@CalFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalFootball/status/777366028246327296">September 18, 2016</a>
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<p id="LLe1hI"> </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cal mocking the horns <a href="https://t.co/6X0ENQFgip">pic.twitter.com/6X0ENQFgip</a></p>— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) <a href="https://twitter.com/cjzero/status/777364822987976704">September 18, 2016</a>
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<p id="B2alhh">There was the game-winning touchdown. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Davis_Webb7">@Davis_Webb7</a> ✚ <a href="https://twitter.com/Chad_Hansen6">@Chad_Hansen6</a> = 6️⃣<br><br>Their game-winning TD connection is the <a href="https://twitter.com/CalFootball">@CalFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/12Best?src=hash">#12Best</a> play! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TEXvsCAL?src=hash">#TEXvsCAL</a> <a href="https://t.co/b9CzQdX10D">https://t.co/b9CzQdX10D</a></p>— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pac12Network/status/777397152381140992">September 18, 2016</a>
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<p id="IkEtQO">There was this incredible two point conversion. </p>
<div id="E1ql7a"><iframe src="http://www.espn.com/core/video/iframe?id=17575627&endcard=false" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>
<p id="GohhuJ">Congrats to Chad Hansen, currently the best wide receiver in college football. Cal will need him to keep it up! He’s been the focal point of our offense for three games, and it all paid off on Saturday night with one of the biggest upsets in Cal football history. </p>
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https://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2016/9/19/12976208/chad-hansen-california-golden-bears-pac-12-offensive-player-best-fbs-receiver-biletnikoff-candidateAvinash Kunnath2016-09-19T05:01:08-07:002016-09-19T05:01:08-07:00Cal fans, where would you rank the Texas win in the program’s history?
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Texas at California" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oyDXWCh27lVFlqhAivKdQV0E5fU=/0x0:2764x1843/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50912787/usa-today-9548108.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>This is the biggest Cal win for the program since ______ because ________. </p> <p id="PquytC"><strong>boomtho:</strong> Oh man, we were debating this on the trip back home last night. Let me answer the question slightly differently (at first) - I've been coming to games since I started as a student at 2007, and this is the best home victory I've seen. The other contenders are obviously Tennessee 07, Oregon 08, Arizona 09, and UCLA 12 off the top of my head. This one, however, FEELS bigger - Cal was in a better state for most of those games (UCLA 12 excepted), so we were expected to compete. We knew we had the talent to hang or beat most of those teams, so it wasn't a huge shocker.</p>
<p id="WajuYX">This game, at least to me, was a bit shock. This is a program still emerging from the doldrums (albeit with a hell of a foundation vs what used to be there), an unranked team that just lost to a (pretty good) non-P5 team, an unheralded team that just absolutely took it to the #11 team in the country and protected their house. This is a tenure defining win for Sonny that will hopefully reap significant immediate returns on the recruiting trail.</p>
<p id="Q3Hmn2">As to where it ranks for overall Cal program wins? I tend to give more weight to happen in seasons where you're more of a realistic contender, so I'd still go Tennessee 07 and Oregon 08 as bigger wins.</p>
<p id="iUZ6aY">But this may have been more satisfying.</p>
<p id="SEN1oG"><strong>LeonPowe:</strong> Since Sonny has been hired. Everyone recognizes this is a flawed team, but I've seen people talking about that our defense has regressed to 2013 standards - and I'm just not seeing it. Yes, we're not good, but I think we have some kids that play hard, and unlike 2013, there is some foundation of talent there - not walk-on wide receivers. Our run defense could use help, but there was improvement from SDSU to this week (just see the special teams!). </p>
<p id="40E3YB"><strong>Piotr Le:</strong> Probably since we last beat a Top 25 team in 2012 against UCLA. I think it is because it was a game that had to be had, to upset expectations and the National Texas hype train. </p>
<p id="Jw5Ehd"><strong>ragnarok: </strong>boomtho, I like your list of contenders, though I'll add a couple of road games to your list: Oregon 07 and Stanfurd 09 (Texas 15 also makes the list, but not at the top). My answer is that UCLA 12 might be bigger, and Furd 09 definitely was (still the last time we've won the Axe...), but we probably won't say for certain until we know how good this Texas team really is later in the season.</p>
<p id="a5FXKd"><strong>Ruey Yen:</strong> I am probably in the minority here by saying that this win over Texas is merely the biggest Cal win for the program since the win over Texas exactly an year ago in Austin. These two victories over Texas are no doubts the biggest wins in the Sonny Dykes era (hot take - if Sonny Dykes only views the UCLA, USC games as highly as the Texas games).</p>
<p id="f3GZ2F">Sure, the Longhorns already had a loss last year and came in with a lofty over rank of being 11th this time. Nevertheless, it is a similar squad with plenty of athletic talent and some flaws. With this loss, they could easily spiral into disarray and this win may not look all that great by the end of the season.</p>
<p id="jYO8m0">Now, if we change the question to "the biggest Cal HOME win" -<a href="http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2010/8/14/1606434/2007-cal-vs-tennessee-4th-greatest"> I would say this was the biggest win since the Tennessee 2007 game. You know, this one</a>.</p>
<p id="eMD2dS"><strong>Nik Jam</strong>: I haven't been a Cal fan that long, maybe 10 years. This might be the first win that completely changes the outlook of a season from "for sure a losing season" to "The Sky's the Limit".</p>
<p id="kQowtK">Arizona in 2009 changed the complexion of that season from an '07 like collapse to a respectable season, and gave the confidence the team needed to win The Big Game. So that is the closest in my experience.</p>
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https://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2016/9/19/12967478/california-golden-bears-football-history-texas-longhornsboomthoLeonPowePiotr T LeragnarokRuey YenNik Jam2016-09-18T13:00:17-07:002016-09-18T13:00:17-07:00Postgame quotes: Webb motivated by Longhorns DC Vance Bedford
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<figcaption>Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Never rank a quarterback. </p> <p id="OxT00L">Davis Webb had some extra motivation going into the Texas game. Apparently Longhorn defensive coordinator Vance Bedford didn’t give him the proper respect he believed he deserved. </p>
<p id="Y2tHw5">Bedford actually probably didn’t think he was dissing Webb. In an earlier teleconference this week, Bedford said he was impressed with Webb and considered him a top four quarterback in the Big 12. <a href="http://www.calbears.com/news/2016/9/18/football-cal-texas-postgame-quotes.aspx">But Webb took that to mean Bedford thought he was the 4th best quarterback in the Big 12</a>. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Davis Webb says he set the screenshots of the comments made by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texas?src=hash">#Texas</a> DC Vance Bedford as his screensaver all week <a href="https://t.co/7Oj2jtVAmv">pic.twitter.com/7Oj2jtVAmv</a></p>— Emily Van Buskirk (@Emilnem) <a href="https://twitter.com/Emilnem/status/777414916999229440">September 18, 2016</a>
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<blockquote id="bVIbh7"><p>I grew up watching the Longhorns for so long, and you grow up in Texas that's the college in that state, and seeing Vance Bedford's press conference this week and him throwing a couple jabs at me, personally, and a couple players on our team saying how I was only a top-four quarterback in the Big 12, if I was still in the Big 12. So I had a lot of motivation for this game, and we out-toughed them. They did a great job executing their game plan, but all week we wanted to be the tougher team and get more effort, and I think we did that tonight. We ran the ball better than we have all year against a great top-15, top-12 team, and that's a great thing to pick up on, and we'll just keep on moving forward.</p></blockquote>
<p id="tDPke6">So Webb took it out on Texas. It’s a slight stretch, but it worked out for Webb and the Bears on Saturday, torching Bedford’s Texas defense for 396 yards and four touchdowns (no interceptions). </p>
<p id="9UPMiF">Here are some snippets of the postgame press conference. A<a href="http://www.calbears.com/news/2016/9/18/football-cal-texas-postgame-quotes.aspx"> longer transcript is available for your consumption at CalBears.com</a>. </p>
<p id="UTQUfL"><strong>Coach Sonny Dykes</strong></p>
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<p id="zlzq5w">"I want to say how proud I am of the players and the way they hung in there and just kept playing. We got down a little bit early and nobody panicked. It's amazing what a little confidence and hard work will do for you. These guys have worked incredibly hard and have confidence in their ability to battle and figure out a way to win a football game. That's what we did tonight. None of this was easy – I promise you. I was really proud of our defense in the second half; I felt we played incredibly well. We gave up a bunch of points in the first half and they really tightened up and did what they needed to do to give us a chance to win. In the third quarter. </p>
<p id="0T5HGf">Offensively, we had three drives in a row that we just killed. We had a third-and-short where we tried to draw Texas offsides when the center snapped the ball, and they didn't jump. We had a receiver bust through a route. We just kept shooting ourselves in the foot offensively in the third quarter. But the guys just kept playing, and we made some plays down the stretch when we needed to. We were fortunate that Texas didn't cover that ball at the end; it might have been a whole different press conference had that happened. We were lucky that didn't happen. We learned a valuable lesson tonight. I don't think you'll ever see that happen again with any of our players. But again, I'm really proud of the way they persevered and fought. It's a big win for them and a big win for our program." </p>
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<p id="JlFp3O"><strong>Quarterback Davis Webb and wide receiver Chad Hansen</strong></p>
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<p id="xZS8ih"><strong>Webb on run-pass balance:</strong></p>
<blockquote id="poGtxX"><p>I think the o-line played great and I think we challenged them this week to run the ball effectively, and they did that and then some. The Texas D-Line is no joke, they're all four or five-star recruits, Malik Jefferson played a great game. Chris Boys played a great game and there are so many guys on that side of the ball that played really well. I just think the credit is due to our o-line and our coaching staff that helped us prepare this week. We can enjoy tonight, but as soon as we get up here tomorrow we got another practice and got a tough one next week.</p></blockquote>
<p id="KDGU0m"><strong>Hansen </strong></p>
<blockquote id="KcRGQf"><p>You know it's awesome that all of my hard work has been paying off, and it may say that on the stat sheet but this win is for the O-line. They protected Davis and were able to do their job all night, and I was able to get open and do my job. All the credit goes to them, honestly.</p></blockquote>
<p id="cBBVyD"><strong>Running back Vic Enwere and safety Luke Rubenzer</strong></p>
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https://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2016/9/18/12960502/california-golden-bears-texas-longhorns-press-conference-video-sonny-dykes-davis-webb-chad-hansenAvinash Kunnath