California -14. Is this the usual sleep walk game as they start at 12EST/9AM? I see a blow out otherwise... what do you guys see?
:0corn
:0corn
California vs Minnesota
- Thread starter Woodson
- Start date
Bears haven't been road warriors
Just two games in, D.J. Holt has embraced his role as the voice of the Cal defense.
He's the middle linebacker, the quarterback of his unit. When he speaks, the decibel level is intensified and honesty is a must.
So he offered this Tuesday: "Travel was definitely a big factor last year. When we played Maryland, we were tired and sluggish, and they jumped on us fast. We weren't ready until the fourth quarter, as you could see.
"That was too late."
Though coach Jeff Tedford insists that he doesn't buy into Holt's theory, he is having the team travel Thursday for Saturday's game at Minnesota, the first time he has left two days early for a road game.
The plan is to erase the feeling that Cal sleep walked through the first half of last season's 35-27 loss at Maryland. The Bears arrived in Maryland the day before the game, immediately went to a walk-through and were forced to sleep early and wake earlier.
Before they knew it, they were down 14-0.
"We got down 14 early and people thought, 'It must be because we're sleeping,' " Tedford said. "We were sleeping, but it wasn't because of when we flew in there. I really don't believe that.
"I saw our guys and how they approached pregame. We just didn't play well."
It has been a seven-year problem. For all of the sweeping changes Tedford has made in revitalizing the Cal program, his teams rarely have played up to standards on the road since 2002.
He's 35-9 in Berkeley and 19-20 as a visitor. His squads have scored five fewer points and allowed three more on the road on average, often the difference between a win and a loss, and sometimes the difference between a BCS bowl and an afterthought ranking.
"I don't know that we've struggled on the road," Tedford said. "I don't see what the issues are as far as how we prepare or anything else. I can't explain it as far as some magical answer. ... But I don't want to be hard-headed about it."
Though he's not talking about it, Tedford's changes have been felt beyond the travel itinerary.
"We've got stuff all over the locker room, telling us we've got to be mentally tough on the road," linebacker Eddie Young said.
Quarterback Kevin Riley said the piped-in crowd noise for practices have gotten to an "annoying" level.
"You have to rally around each other," Riley said. "No matter what else happens, you have to continue to make plays and stay focused."
That could start days earlier than the game, when you're no longer in your same bed and no longer have familiar foods. It could start when the crowd starts to make noise at inopportune times or when being uncomfortable allows a mind to wander. It could start when you're in a new place.
"The world is probably different out there," Holt said. "They're going to come out fast, and we have to come out with the same mentality. We can't come in scared or be lackadaisical."
On the road again
Cal has won nine straight at home and is one win away from matching the school's all-time streaks. Both record-setting stretches came under coach Jeff Tedford, but he also sports a losing record on the road since arriving at Berkeley in 2002. Here's a look at the Bears' home success and road woes:
Year Home W/L Home PF/PA Road W/L Road PF/PA
2008 7-0 256-111 1-4 145-131
2007 4-2 197-142 2-4 142-170
2006 7-0 273-143 2-3 109-98
2005 4-2 176-119 3-2 184-107
2004 5-0 182-175 5-1 228-72
2003 4-2 206-112 3-4 199-180
2002 4-3 251-177 3-2 176-144
Total 35-9 35.0-20 19-20 30.3-23.1
Just two games in, D.J. Holt has embraced his role as the voice of the Cal defense.
He's the middle linebacker, the quarterback of his unit. When he speaks, the decibel level is intensified and honesty is a must.
So he offered this Tuesday: "Travel was definitely a big factor last year. When we played Maryland, we were tired and sluggish, and they jumped on us fast. We weren't ready until the fourth quarter, as you could see.
"That was too late."
Though coach Jeff Tedford insists that he doesn't buy into Holt's theory, he is having the team travel Thursday for Saturday's game at Minnesota, the first time he has left two days early for a road game.
The plan is to erase the feeling that Cal sleep walked through the first half of last season's 35-27 loss at Maryland. The Bears arrived in Maryland the day before the game, immediately went to a walk-through and were forced to sleep early and wake earlier.
Before they knew it, they were down 14-0.
"We got down 14 early and people thought, 'It must be because we're sleeping,' " Tedford said. "We were sleeping, but it wasn't because of when we flew in there. I really don't believe that.
"I saw our guys and how they approached pregame. We just didn't play well."
It has been a seven-year problem. For all of the sweeping changes Tedford has made in revitalizing the Cal program, his teams rarely have played up to standards on the road since 2002.
He's 35-9 in Berkeley and 19-20 as a visitor. His squads have scored five fewer points and allowed three more on the road on average, often the difference between a win and a loss, and sometimes the difference between a BCS bowl and an afterthought ranking.
"I don't know that we've struggled on the road," Tedford said. "I don't see what the issues are as far as how we prepare or anything else. I can't explain it as far as some magical answer. ... But I don't want to be hard-headed about it."
Though he's not talking about it, Tedford's changes have been felt beyond the travel itinerary.
"We've got stuff all over the locker room, telling us we've got to be mentally tough on the road," linebacker Eddie Young said.
Quarterback Kevin Riley said the piped-in crowd noise for practices have gotten to an "annoying" level.
"You have to rally around each other," Riley said. "No matter what else happens, you have to continue to make plays and stay focused."
That could start days earlier than the game, when you're no longer in your same bed and no longer have familiar foods. It could start when the crowd starts to make noise at inopportune times or when being uncomfortable allows a mind to wander. It could start when you're in a new place.
"The world is probably different out there," Holt said. "They're going to come out fast, and we have to come out with the same mentality. We can't come in scared or be lackadaisical."
On the road again
Cal has won nine straight at home and is one win away from matching the school's all-time streaks. Both record-setting stretches came under coach Jeff Tedford, but he also sports a losing record on the road since arriving at Berkeley in 2002. Here's a look at the Bears' home success and road woes:
Year Home W/L Home PF/PA Road W/L Road PF/PA
2008 7-0 256-111 1-4 145-131
2007 4-2 197-142 2-4 142-170
2006 7-0 273-143 2-3 109-98
2005 4-2 176-119 3-2 184-107
2004 5-0 182-175 5-1 228-72
2003 4-2 206-112 3-4 199-180
2002 4-3 251-177 3-2 176-144
Total 35-9 35.0-20 19-20 30.3-23.1
Cal football notebook: Bears take different route to Minnesota
Coach Jeff Tedford has said repeatedly that Cal's misfortunes at Maryland last season weren't because of the team's travel itinerary. But that doesn't mean he's opposed to trying something different this time around.
The Bears traveled to Maryland the day before the game and got off to a slow start for the 9 a.m. (PDT) kickoff. The Terrapins held off Cal's late charge and won 35-27.
Tedford has decided to have the team leave Thursday for Saturday's 9 a.m. game at Minnesota.
"We want to try it," Tedford said. "Some people do it. You don't know until you try it. We're going to give it a shot and see if that helps us not be so hurried. We want to see what it's like."
Last year's travel plans didn't give the Bears much chance to adjust to the time change, but Tedford had his players establish an East Coast sleeping pattern during the week. The Minnesota game should have less of an impact because Cal is crossing just two time zones instead of three.
The Bears will practice earlier in the day than usual Thursday, then take their charter flight in the evening, arriving in Minneapolis around 11 p.m. It also will allow Cal to hold its Friday walk-through around the same time as Saturday's kickoff.
"We'll still have our walk-through and the meetings that we typically have at the hotel. It won't be anything different," Tedford said.
# Freshman Isi Sofele had an uncomfortable feeling when Tedford called
him last Monday and asked him to be in his office in 15 minutes. Now, he is back where he feels most comfortable.
Sofele woke up at 8:45 a.m., and Tedford asked him to be in his office at 9. Sofele started running toward Memorial Stadium before hopping on a friend's scooter to get there in time.
It turns out all Tedford wanted to do is tell Sofele that the coaching staff was moving him from wide receiver to running back, his natural position.
"I was excited to hear it," said Sofele, who rushed for 1,920 yards and 30 touchdowns last year as a senior at Cottonwood High-Salt Lake City. "I thought I was in trouble. I wasn't unhappy playing wide receiver. But when I started doing the drills for running back again, I just felt like I was at home."
Sofele made the position switch after Langston Jackson was injured and Kevin Lewis was ruled academically ineligible, giving Cal just three running backs. With Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen carrying the load, Sofele knows he won't see the field much anytime soon.
"I know I'm not going to get that much playing time," he said. "I just take mental reps every day and learn from what (Best and Vereen) do."
Sofele had two carries for 36 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown, in Cal's 59-7 win over Eastern Washington on Saturday.
# Vereen is second nationally in scoring (15 ppg). Linebacker Mychal Kendricks is fifth in tackles (13 tpg).
Coach Jeff Tedford has said repeatedly that Cal's misfortunes at Maryland last season weren't because of the team's travel itinerary. But that doesn't mean he's opposed to trying something different this time around.
The Bears traveled to Maryland the day before the game and got off to a slow start for the 9 a.m. (PDT) kickoff. The Terrapins held off Cal's late charge and won 35-27.
Tedford has decided to have the team leave Thursday for Saturday's 9 a.m. game at Minnesota.
"We want to try it," Tedford said. "Some people do it. You don't know until you try it. We're going to give it a shot and see if that helps us not be so hurried. We want to see what it's like."
Last year's travel plans didn't give the Bears much chance to adjust to the time change, but Tedford had his players establish an East Coast sleeping pattern during the week. The Minnesota game should have less of an impact because Cal is crossing just two time zones instead of three.
The Bears will practice earlier in the day than usual Thursday, then take their charter flight in the evening, arriving in Minneapolis around 11 p.m. It also will allow Cal to hold its Friday walk-through around the same time as Saturday's kickoff.
"We'll still have our walk-through and the meetings that we typically have at the hotel. It won't be anything different," Tedford said.
# Freshman Isi Sofele had an uncomfortable feeling when Tedford called
him last Monday and asked him to be in his office in 15 minutes. Now, he is back where he feels most comfortable.
Sofele woke up at 8:45 a.m., and Tedford asked him to be in his office at 9. Sofele started running toward Memorial Stadium before hopping on a friend's scooter to get there in time.
It turns out all Tedford wanted to do is tell Sofele that the coaching staff was moving him from wide receiver to running back, his natural position.
"I was excited to hear it," said Sofele, who rushed for 1,920 yards and 30 touchdowns last year as a senior at Cottonwood High-Salt Lake City. "I thought I was in trouble. I wasn't unhappy playing wide receiver. But when I started doing the drills for running back again, I just felt like I was at home."
Sofele made the position switch after Langston Jackson was injured and Kevin Lewis was ruled academically ineligible, giving Cal just three running backs. With Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen carrying the load, Sofele knows he won't see the field much anytime soon.
"I know I'm not going to get that much playing time," he said. "I just take mental reps every day and learn from what (Best and Vereen) do."
Sofele had two carries for 36 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown, in Cal's 59-7 win over Eastern Washington on Saturday.
# Vereen is second nationally in scoring (15 ppg). Linebacker Mychal Kendricks is fifth in tackles (13 tpg).
Offense looking to avoid roller coaster effect against Cal
In victories at Syracuse and over Air Force, the Gophers defense played well enough for the offense to shake off inconsistent stretches in the first half.
Through two games, the Gophers offense has both hit and missed, scored when it mattered but too often squandered opportunity.
So many numbers look good, yet the bottom line needs to improve. For example:
It was hard not to think that quarterback Adam Weber could have done more in Saturday's 20-13 victory over Air Force. This despite a 20-for-29, interception-free performance that included his going 15-for-18 in the second half.
You think the Gophers should run the ball better, and then you see they averaged 4.5 yards per rush.
The Gophers are 2-0 thanks in large part to clutch offensive play in the second half of both games -- enough to make up for having converted on only 32 percent of third downs and sometimes struggling on short-yardage situations. It's fair to assume things have to get a lot better if the Gophers hope to upset eighth-ranked California on Saturday.
"We are continuing to strive for consistency on offense," coach Tim Brewster said Tuesday. "We have to continue to improve. ... We have to do a better job on third down of staying on the field."
So sustaining drives is the name of Saturday's game. In victories at Syracuse and over Air Force, the Gophers defense played well enough for the offense to shake off inconsistent stretches in the first half.
The good news for the Gophers is that the offense has been very good when it mattered. Witness the drive that sent the Syracuse game into overtime and Weber's second-half performance Saturday, when his 15 completions went to six receivers.
But the team wants to stretch that over four quarters this week.
The Golden Bears come to town ranking third nationally in scoring and have had back-to-back 50-point games for the first time since 1973. Keeping that offense off the field could be the best defense for the Gophers.
"We can't wait until the third or fourth quarter to step it up," Weber said. "We have to realize every time we're out there, there is an opportunity to move the ball or put points on the board. There can't be any three-and-outs. We have to go out there and establish something."
That means eliminating the penalties that have stalled drives through two weeks. It also means figuring out protection schemes; Weber was under a lot of pressure in the first half Saturday. And despite the Gophers' decent per-run average, a better job has to be done on third-and-short situations.
'"Everybody needs to get better," offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch said. "We need to make sure we hit the pass when it's there, that we get all our blocks, that we hit the hole, get in and out of the right play. That will happen. When it does, you've seen what the results looked like."
Much of that starts with Weber, who is still mastering Fisch's offense. Fisch said he thinks Weber has thrown the ball well in six of eight quarters so far. As for his ability to throw when not in the shotgun, Fisch pointed out that 13 of his completions in the second half Saturday came after taking the snap under center.
"This is his third month making these throws," Fisch said. "There are no excuses, but every day he's getting better in practice. Each game I think he'll get better. That's what's exciting. The sky is the limit.''
And it starts with staying on the field. "Sometimes you get in sync by staying on the field," Fisch said. "We have to make sure we do that. That gives us more opportunities."
Notes
? Matt Stommes' ankle is better, but Dom Alford has played well enough at left tackle to be atop the Gophers depth chart at the position.
? Cornerback Marcus Sherels, who missed the Air Force game because of an ankle injury, did not practice Tuesday. He is listed as day-to-day.
In victories at Syracuse and over Air Force, the Gophers defense played well enough for the offense to shake off inconsistent stretches in the first half.
Through two games, the Gophers offense has both hit and missed, scored when it mattered but too often squandered opportunity.
So many numbers look good, yet the bottom line needs to improve. For example:
It was hard not to think that quarterback Adam Weber could have done more in Saturday's 20-13 victory over Air Force. This despite a 20-for-29, interception-free performance that included his going 15-for-18 in the second half.
You think the Gophers should run the ball better, and then you see they averaged 4.5 yards per rush.
The Gophers are 2-0 thanks in large part to clutch offensive play in the second half of both games -- enough to make up for having converted on only 32 percent of third downs and sometimes struggling on short-yardage situations. It's fair to assume things have to get a lot better if the Gophers hope to upset eighth-ranked California on Saturday.
"We are continuing to strive for consistency on offense," coach Tim Brewster said Tuesday. "We have to continue to improve. ... We have to do a better job on third down of staying on the field."
So sustaining drives is the name of Saturday's game. In victories at Syracuse and over Air Force, the Gophers defense played well enough for the offense to shake off inconsistent stretches in the first half.
The good news for the Gophers is that the offense has been very good when it mattered. Witness the drive that sent the Syracuse game into overtime and Weber's second-half performance Saturday, when his 15 completions went to six receivers.
But the team wants to stretch that over four quarters this week.
The Golden Bears come to town ranking third nationally in scoring and have had back-to-back 50-point games for the first time since 1973. Keeping that offense off the field could be the best defense for the Gophers.
"We can't wait until the third or fourth quarter to step it up," Weber said. "We have to realize every time we're out there, there is an opportunity to move the ball or put points on the board. There can't be any three-and-outs. We have to go out there and establish something."
That means eliminating the penalties that have stalled drives through two weeks. It also means figuring out protection schemes; Weber was under a lot of pressure in the first half Saturday. And despite the Gophers' decent per-run average, a better job has to be done on third-and-short situations.
'"Everybody needs to get better," offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch said. "We need to make sure we hit the pass when it's there, that we get all our blocks, that we hit the hole, get in and out of the right play. That will happen. When it does, you've seen what the results looked like."
Much of that starts with Weber, who is still mastering Fisch's offense. Fisch said he thinks Weber has thrown the ball well in six of eight quarters so far. As for his ability to throw when not in the shotgun, Fisch pointed out that 13 of his completions in the second half Saturday came after taking the snap under center.
"This is his third month making these throws," Fisch said. "There are no excuses, but every day he's getting better in practice. Each game I think he'll get better. That's what's exciting. The sky is the limit.''
And it starts with staying on the field. "Sometimes you get in sync by staying on the field," Fisch said. "We have to make sure we do that. That gives us more opportunities."
Notes
? Matt Stommes' ankle is better, but Dom Alford has played well enough at left tackle to be atop the Gophers depth chart at the position.
? Cornerback Marcus Sherels, who missed the Air Force game because of an ankle injury, did not practice Tuesday. He is listed as day-to-day.
I TOOK MINNESOTA +14-. NOT JUST THE 3 HOUR TIME CHANGE, BUT THEY HAVE OREGON ON DECK AND THE NEW STADIUM AND THE FANS WERE UNREAL LAST WEEK AND I THINK THE MOJO WILL CARRY OVER TO THIS SATURDAY. TO ME IT'S MINNESOTA OR NOTHING.:nono:
I am a Gopher fan and I am waiting for this team to get smacked around by somebody.. They Gophs just are not that good, but they surprise at times. Good luck
