Debbie Downer: Cal Bears Win Pool 18, But at What Cost?
Oh, the Cal Bears, always finding new ways to make their fans reach for the aspirin. Somehow, they managed to win Pool 18 with a 2-1 record, but let's not kid ourselves – it was a masterclass in how to make victory as painful as possible.
Game 1: Cal vs. Kansas State – An Epic Failure
The Cal Bears started their journey in Manhattan against Kansas State, and it was as dismal as you'd expect. Trailing for most of the game, Cal’s offense was a masterclass in ineptitude. By halftime, they were down 10-3, having shown all the excitement of a damp sponge. The Wildcats played a ball control game, shutting down Cal’s offense and making their quarterback look like an MVP.
The third quarter was more of the same – a quick three-and-out after a sack put Cal behind the chains. Just when it seemed like the Bears might do something, they managed a brief flash of competence. Hearns III snagged an interception, followed by a long touchdown pass from Chandler Rogers to Matthews. But, of course, Cal immediately squandered this momentum with another three-and-out.
In the fourth quarter, Rodgers threw a pick-six, handing K-State a 17-10 lead. Cal somehow put together a long drive to tie the game, only to give up another touchdown with a minute left. They tied it again in a desperate flurry, forcing overtime. But in true Cal fashion, their defense collapsed, allowing a long run for a touchdown on the first play of overtime. When it came time to win or lose, a confused and broken play on a two-point conversion sealed their fate, losing 31-30.
In this game, Cal managed to rack up 322 total yards of offense, with a laughable 22 yards rushing and 300 yards passing. Despite having 16 first downs, they allowed three sacks and turned the ball over once. Their defense, allowing 351 yards, including 137 rushing and 214 passing, managed three forced turnovers but couldn't stop Kansas State when it mattered most.
Game 2: Cal vs. Penn State – The Great Collapse
Back at home against Penn State, the Bears jumped out to a seemingly insurmountable 21-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter. But this is Cal, remember? A fumble and a quick three-and-out later, Penn State was gifted the chance to hang 24 unanswered points on the Bears. With just over a minute left, Cal found themselves trailing 25-21, having turned a dominant performance into a full-blown disaster.
In a rare moment of clarity, Rodgers led a miraculous drive, finding his tight end in the end zone with 30 seconds left for the go-ahead score. Little John’s interception at the end redeemed his earlier mistake, but it was a hollow victory after such a collapse.
Cal's offense managed 343 yards, with a slightly better 93 yards rushing and 250 yards passing. They converted six of seven third downs and scored on both redzone attempts, yet still almost lost the game. The defense allowed 325 yards and struggled with third down conversions, allowing Penn State to convert six of ten attempts.
Game 3: Cal vs. Louisiana – Interception Extravaganza
Against Louisiana, Cal’s defense came alive with seven interceptions, but the Bears did their best to throw the game away. Up 34-14 late in the third quarter, Cal’s defense decided to take a nap, allowing a long touchdown to make it 34-21. The offense went dormant, throwing a pick-six to let Louisiana close within a touchdown.
With a chance to put the game away, a fumble gave the Ragin’ Cajuns another shot. On their final drive, a blown coverage left a receiver wide open, but the Louisiana quarterback didn't see him. Craig Woodson's game-saving interception finally ended the agony, securing a 34-28 win.
Cal’s offense managed 312 total yards, with an impressive 192 yards rushing but a paltry 120 yards passing. They converted eight of eleven third downs and scored on four of five redzone attempts. Defensively, they allowed 334 yards, with a mere 16 yards rushing but a staggering 318 yards passing. Despite forcing seven turnovers, the defense’s inconsistency nearly cost them the game.
The Takeaway
So there you have it, folks. The Cal Bears somehow won Pool 18, but it was a rollercoaster of incompetence, blown leads, and last-minute miracles. Their knack for turning sure victories into nail-biters is enough to drive any fan to despair. If this is the best the Bears can muster, it's going to be a long, painful season. But hey, at least they won, right?
Debbie Downer, Associated Press
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