NFL
By: Ashmere Prasad
“Couldn’t have asked for a better early season sting,” head coach Tosh Lupoi shared after the Cal Bears loss. There were highs and lows for the Golden Bears’ first game of the season, but unfortunately, some fourth-quarter mistakes cost them a victory.
The anticipation for this game was high. Not only for the matchup, but also to see Cal’s offseason upgrades in action. Everyone was eager to see the new coaching staff’s unique play-calling and utilization of Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and Adam Mohammad.
Here are the key takeaways from the Bears’ 45-24 loss:
- The offense found solid rhythm in the third quarter, kudos to Mohammad leading their running game. Mohammed scored his first touchdown of the season. Cal maintained possession for over eight minutes and tied the game at 24.
- JKS had some big play opportunities that changed the momentum, but UCLA’s defense squashed their progress immediately after. In the second quarter, JKS threw a dart to Chase Hendricks, whose jersey was being pulled, earning the Bears a 15-yard gain. Cal followed up the gain with an incompletion, a four-yard loss, and a false start penalty. Those mistakes cost the Golden Bears a chance to earn seven points rather than three.
- Mohammad is a workhorse as expected
- Mason Mini beat his coverage on multiple occasions and finally earned his first touchdown of the season in the third quarter to tie. Mini’s involvement as a downfield pass-catcher will elevate this offense in their next matchup.
- The defense made the right adjustments in the second half and put UCLA on their toes for a good majority, until the interceptions gave the Bruins another chance. This game was a good indication of the growth from Michael Hutchings, the defensive coordinator.
- Fans were excited, and the student section was filled until the final interception. The alumnae and students are fired up to see their program improve every week.
“All this hard work put us in the right position; now we need to execute the standards,” Lupoi said.
Fourth Quarter Woes
JKS’s two interceptions in the fourth quarter were the major catalysts in their possible victory. The first pass bounced out of Ian Strong’s hands and directly into DB Ta’Shawn James. Wayne Knight scored his third touchdown immediately after for 31 yards. 90 seconds later, Sagapolutele rolled left and under-threw Mason Mini along the sideline, giving up his second interception to DB James again.
Sagapolutele took accountability for his mistakes and gave credit to his team for keeping their heads high throughout a game that the Bruins made difficult.
“The first one, I tried to give my receiver a chance; it just wasn’t the best place for the ball. I could have had it a little lower to make it easier for him to catch. The second one was completely on me. They showed six up; I tried to get to a sprint out, but it wasn’t a favorable call for us. I should have just thrown it away.”
Each unit had its bright spots, but Lupoi’s main criticism was the offense’s communication.
“When you have steam like this, it ignites the desire to improve, and I got to improve; we have to improve.”
The Bears head to Central New York next week to face Syracuse, which dominated New Hampshire 66-3.
