NFL
By: Ashmere Prasad
Through the first three weeks, the California Bears sit at 2-1, 1-0 in the ACC (4th).
The last time the Golden Bears faced the Clemson Tigers, it was a historic matchup. In 1992, the Bears defeated the Tigers 37-13 in the Florida Citrus Bowl. It was the only New Year’s Day bowl game for the Bears since 1959. (calbears.com) Cal is one of three ACC teams to have a winning record against Clemson. But these are two completely different teams from 34 years ago.
Head coach Tosh Lupoi heavily emphasizes the importance of the team’s weekly preparation. He’s recognized the team’s growth over the last three weeks and compared the team’s timeline to bamboo.
He asked the room, ‘Do you know what that comparison means?’ After a few answers about strength and inability to break, he explained: “Once it reaches the surface, it takes 2 months to grow to its full potential, and typically takes 3-5 years to harvest. The nurturing that goes into that and the preparation. Voicing that to our team – that’s all you hope for. All our hard work, once it pops, you start to really see some growth and fast improvements. That’s what we’re trying to do.”
Cal’s Offense
Running back Adam Mohammed has been Cal’s leading workhorse through the first three games. He scored a hat trick in the first quarter against Wagner. Adding Mohammed has provided the offense with a much-needed running game. Mohammed is currently ranked 26th in the nation in rushing yards (285) and 3 TDs, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. With his ability to move the chains, the Bears offense has a chance to build on last week’s win by scoring early.
According to The Clemson Insider, opposing offenses have 25 runs of 10 yards or longer, which ranks dead last in the FBS. (The Clemson Insider). Mohammed will aim to exploit those defensive gaps.
Sagaplutele is one of the conference’s best quarterbacks, yet Cal’s downfield presence hasn’t showcased his talents in their first three games. The offense will need a combination of Mohammed’s ground game and JKS’s depth-threat attack against a Clemson defense that is ranked 23rd in the nation.
Bears Defense vs True Freshman QB Tait Reynolds
After a 2 1/2 hour rain delay in South Carolina, Clemson beat UNC 28-20 last Friday. Quarterback Tait Reynolds earned his first win and ended the night with 20/29, one touchdown and one interception. Reynolds is currently starting over senior quarterback Christopher Vizzina, who is listed as probable for Friday night due to an elbow injury he sustained in week one.
Reynolds made some mistakes against UNC, which is expected for a freshman’s first college game coming after a major weather delay. Those mistakes will cost him against a Bears defense that is firing on all cylinders behind Kingston Lopa, who leads the nation with five interceptions.
“It’s going to be a tough fight,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said on Tuesday. “Defensively, they really present a lot of problems; they play well collectively as a group. D-line-wise, they are big, strong guys up front. Very good group of linebackers, especially #9; easily the biggest secondary we’ve seen.”
The chemistry is unfolding for the Bears on both sides of the ball, and a win on Friday night puts the Golden Bears on the map. It shows that the new addition of Lupoi and his young new coaching staff is guiding the program in a positive direction.
Lupoi called out the entire Bay Area multiple times ahead of Friday’s matchup: “If you have plans on Friday that don’t include going to the Cal, cancel them. We want the same energy we had in week one.”
