Cal Football…..A Game Much More Exciting Than What the R/S Reported
A Cal Football Report
I just got back from the Cal Bears vs. the Michigan State Spartans football game at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Saturday, and read the article in the Record Searchlight. The article made it sound just like another game, and for those of us that watch Pac 10 Football, this was not just another game. First of all, it was exciting right up to the final 40 seconds. No one in the full stadium left, for when the Bears would score, the Spartans would come right back with another score. Finally, with 40 seconds left in the game and the Spartans threatening to score, Michigan State passed and Cal intercepted the pass. Game over. Secondly, this game showed exceptional talent and skill on both teams. Granted, the first quarter was a time of first game jitters, but then both teams settled down to play good fundamental football. It was a very good game between two quite good teams. Both the Pac 10 and the Big 10 will have good seasons this year.
Sitting on the second row near the Gold end zone, I had a great seat to see all of the exciting plays, and there were many. Both teams showed exceptional speed, especially the Cal Bears. Jahvid Best is one of the quickest backs I have seen, and showed his ability on a number of plays, as well as on the kickoff returns. He is really an exciting runner, with moves that left you wondering how he made the play. If injuries do not get him, he will be a force to be reckoned with all season by other Pac 10 teams. He is really fast. The other Cal back, Shane Vereen, is not as fast and quick as Jahvid, but is still a fast back, and is a harder runner. He outran the entire Michigan State team on his one long play, and it was impressive. If both of these young and talented backs stay injury free, Cal football is going to be exciting.
Kevin Riley, the QB, did a good job considering this was his first real start. He played sparingly last season behind Nate Longshore, but came into his own against the Spartans. He is a quick release passer and his passes were on target for most of the night, and with the speed that the Bears receivers have, caught the defense off guard on a number of plays.
Overall, my initial observation of the 2008 version of the Cal Bears Football Team is that it is a very fast and talented team. Their offense, when the plays are working as designed, will be hard to stop if the opposing defense is not fast. If Riley can continue to develop as a QB, his passing will compliment the outstanding running, and the Bears will be a contender in the Pac 10. The Cal defense, although not as big as I expected, is also very fast. On a number of plays they moved quickly to stop the talented Spartan running game, and after a few miscues in the secondary, shut down the talked about Michigan State passing game. The Bears defense had an overall good game, even though the Spartans QB was on target with a number of his long passes, which kept the game in doubt until the final minute. Cal made the big defensive plays when they had to. Their quickness will cause problems for other teams.
A great game for all, and a great beginning to the season for all Cal Bears fans. If Cal continues to develop as we get into the season, Cal will be fun to watch, and they will win some games. Get your tickets now. Go Bears!
A Cal Football Report
I just got back from the Cal Bears vs. the Michigan State Spartans football game at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Saturday, and read the article in the Record Searchlight. The article made it sound just like another game, and for those of us that watch Pac 10 Football, this was not just another game. First of all, it was exciting right up to the final 40 seconds. No one in the full stadium left, for when the Bears would score, the Spartans would come right back with another score. Finally, with 40 seconds left in the game and the Spartans threatening to score, Michigan State passed and Cal intercepted the pass. Game over. Secondly, this game showed exceptional talent and skill on both teams. Granted, the first quarter was a time of first game jitters, but then both teams settled down to play good fundamental football. It was a very good game between two quite good teams. Both the Pac 10 and the Big 10 will have good seasons this year.
Sitting on the second row near the Gold end zone, I had a great seat to see all of the exciting plays, and there were many. Both teams showed exceptional speed, especially the Cal Bears. Jahvid Best is one of the quickest backs I have seen, and showed his ability on a number of plays, as well as on the kickoff returns. He is really an exciting runner, with moves that left you wondering how he made the play. If injuries do not get him, he will be a force to be reckoned with all season by other Pac 10 teams. He is really fast. The other Cal back, Shane Vereen, is not as fast and quick as Jahvid, but is still a fast back, and is a harder runner. He outran the entire Michigan State team on his one long play, and it was impressive. If both of these young and talented backs stay injury free, Cal football is going to be exciting.
Kevin Riley, the QB, did a good job considering this was his first real start. He played sparingly last season behind Nate Longshore, but came into his own against the Spartans. He is a quick release passer and his passes were on target for most of the night, and with the speed that the Bears receivers have, caught the defense off guard on a number of plays.
Overall, my initial observation of the 2008 version of the Cal Bears Football Team is that it is a very fast and talented team. Their offense, when the plays are working as designed, will be hard to stop if the opposing defense is not fast. If Riley can continue to develop as a QB, his passing will compliment the outstanding running, and the Bears will be a contender in the Pac 10. The Cal defense, although not as big as I expected, is also very fast. On a number of plays they moved quickly to stop the talented Spartan running game, and after a few miscues in the secondary, shut down the talked about Michigan State passing game. The Bears defense had an overall good game, even though the Spartans QB was on target with a number of his long passes, which kept the game in doubt until the final minute. Cal made the big defensive plays when they had to. Their quickness will cause problems for other teams.
A great game for all, and a great beginning to the season for all Cal Bears fans. If Cal continues to develop as we get into the season, Cal will be fun to watch, and they will win some games. Get your tickets now. Go Bears!
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