Photo by Troy Wayrynen, USA Today
Cal Football: Oregon State Game Thread - Beavers Hold Off Depleted Bears, 31-27
There's no getting around it: Cal must win today if it wants to keep its season goals afloat.
Oregon State (0-2) has its own issues, but the Bears (0-1) cannot afford another flat performance like they delivered last week in a 34-10 loss at UCLA.
The challenge became somewhat more complicated after a late-morning COVID-19 announcement by Cal Athletics:
More detail here:
Cal subsequently released a list of players who will not participate today, also including running back Christopher Brown Jr., outside linebacker Braxten Croteau and tight end Collin Moore -- all starters -- and freshman guard guard Stanley McKenzie. No reason was given for their absences.
So, Cal's defensive line was put into quarantine before the scheduled opener vs. Washington, and now COVID-19 has struck the O-line. Just as was the case two weeks ago, Cal said just one player tested positive, the others were implicated through contact tracing.
We'll soon find out whether the Bears have the improved depth on the line they believe they do. But this is tough news.
SECOND HALF
6:20 3rd Qtr: OSU back on the scoreboard with a 35-yard FG by Everett Hayes, capping a 13-play, 53-yard drive that began on the Beavers' 30-yard line after a Cal punt. Cal 20, OSU 17.
6:05 2nd Qtr: More heartbreak for Nikko Remigio, whose would-be 94-yard kickoff return all the way to the OSU 3-yard line was wiped out by a hold penalty against Zach Angiello. That's 183 yards of punt/KO return yardage wiped off the books. Cal starts at its own 8-yard line. Cal 20, OSU 17.
END OF 3RD QUARTER: A non-productive quarter for the Bears, who managed just 34 yards and no points. OSU has a first down at the Cal 28 when the fourth quarter begins. Cal 20, OSU 17.
13:35 4th Qtr: OSU converts a beautiful trick play, a reserve to wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey, who passes 8 yards to quarterback Tristan Gebbia for the touchdown. OSU back in front after the 39-yard drive made possible by a 36-yard punt return from Travon Bradford. OSU 24, Cal 20.
10:25 4th Qtr: Big play by the Cal defense as safety Elijah Hicks intercepts Gebbia and returns it 30 yards to the OSU 32-yard line. OSU 24, Cal 20.
8:04 4th Qtr: Two pass interference penalties against the Beavers keep the drive alive and Garbers delivers his third touchdown pass of the game, a 2-yarder to tight end Jake Tonges to give the lead back to the Bears. Cal 27, OSU 24.
4:30 4th Qtr: Gebbia scores on a 1-yard sneak to give OSU the lead. The Beavers got possession at the Cal 14 after a blocked punt by Jesiah Irish. Gebbia has now accounted for touchdowns with a pass, a pass reception and a run. OSU 31, Cal 27.
FINAL: Garbers' tipped pass on a first-and-goal play from the OSU 10-yard line was intercepted by John McCartan and the Beavers held on for their first win of the season. OSU 31, Cal 27.
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FIRST HALF
14:42 1st Qtr: After a touchback on the opening kickoff, OSU started off 1st and 10 at its own 25, and running back Jermar Jefferson ran 75 yards right up the middle for a touchdown. Cal's worst nightmare is happening. Oregon State 7, Cal 0.
10:30 1st Qtr: The Bears answer with a 75-yard scoring drive of their own, albeit in eight plays not one. Chase Garbers threw a 7-yard TD pass to Makai Polk to cap the drive. Big play: Garbers passed 44 yards to Kekoa Crawford down the left sideline to the 7-yard line. Marcel Dancy started at running back so Christopher Brown Jr. is out. New starters on the O-line: Braydens Rhome, Matthew Cindric and Brandon Mellow. Cal 7, OSU 7.
8:25 1st Qtr: Nikko Remigio races 89 yards for a touchdown on a punt return, but the play is wiped out by an illegal block in the back by Daniel Scott. Cal 7, OSU 7.
5:47 1st Q: OSU with a quick strike after short punt sets up the Beavers at the Cal 35. Tristan Gebbia goes deep to tight end Teagan Quitoriano who beat LB Kuony Deng for a touchdown. Oregon State 14, Cal 7.
END OF 1ST QTR: Oregon State, Cal 7. Bears are driving. Garbers threw 33 yards to TE Jake Tonges to the 17, and Marcel Dancy just ran 9 yards to the 8. Cal has third-and-2 coming. First-quarter yards: Cal 155, OSU 115 (75 of them on the first play of the game). First downs are 5-2 for Cal and total plays are 21-5. But the Beavers have manufactured 14 points out of those 5 plays.
14:49 2nd Qtr: Cal cannot convert the 3rd-and-2 pass so Dario Longhetto kicks a 26-yard FG and the Bears close the gap. But was this a wasted opportunity for more? OSU 14, Cal 10.
7:56 2nd Qtr: Cal beginning to show a trend of red-zone issues. The Bears had a first-and-goal at the OSU 5-yard line and could not score. Three running plays netted 3 yards before Cal went for it on fourth down and Garbers threw incomplete on a rollout to the right It was a nice drive before that, including a 52-yard completion to Polk. OSU 14, Cal 10.
7:56 2nd Qtr: Official changes the call and OSU got an interception by Nashon Wright. on the play. The Beavers start at the 20, not the 2.
2:31 2nd Qtr: Cal takes the lead for the first time on a perfectly thrown 21-yard TD pass from Garbers to Crawford. Dancy had a 22-yard run on the four-play, 64-yard drive without starting center Michael Saffell, who left the field on a cart with an apparent right foot/leg injury. Brian Driscoll starting in his place, so now 4 new O-lineman today.. Garbers is 11-for-15 for 187 yards with 2 TDs. Cal 17, OSU 14.
1:24 2nd Qtr: Josh Drayden intercepts Gebbia on a tipped pass. Cal takes over at its on 35. Cal 17, OSU 14.
0:00 2ND Qtr: Longhetto is good on a 52-yard FG try on the final play of the half. Cal's longest field goal since Matt Anderson connected from 52 yards vs. Arizona in 2017. Caps an 11-play, 30-yard drive that also included an 18-yard completion to Crawford. Cal 20, OSU 14.
HALFTIME SUMMARY: Cal 20, OSU 14. The Bears surrendered two long scoring plays totaling 110 yards on the first play of two drives in the first quarter. Otherwise, the Beavers managed just 54 yards in the half. Nice bounce-back by Garbers from a week ago as he goes 17-for-24 for 224 yards with two TDs.
The real heroes for Cal were the backup offensive linemen who stepped for 3 starters (Jake Curhan, Valentino Daltoso and Will Craig) sidelined by COVID-19 issues and center Michael Saffell, who left in the second quarter with an apparent right foot/leg injury. He was on the sidelines on crutches late in the half. Delivering up front were RT Brandon Mello, C Brian Driscoll, LG Matthew Cindric and LT Brayden Rohme. RB Darcel Dancy, starting in place of injured Christopher Brown Jr., has 47 yards on 8 carries. Kekoa Crawford having his best game at Cal with 7 catches for 118 yards and a TD. Total yards at the half: Cal 317, OSU 164. First downs were 13 to 6, plays 45 to 19, both in favor of Cal.
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PREGAME:
Prior to the announcement, it appeared circumstances today would be somewhat different than a week ago. Three reasons:
-- This game has been scheduled for weeks, while Cal vs. UCLA was arranged less than 48 hours before kickoff at Arizona State bailed on the Bears because of a COVID-19 outbreak. So Cal should be better prepared for the Beavers than they were for the Bruins.
-- Cal now has a game under its belt. At the Rose Bowl, the Bears were playing for the first time in more than 10 months.
-- The defense is intact and should be better. The defensive line has had a full week of practice with the entire squad and that alone will make a difference.
WEATHER: It's going to be a chilly day in Corvallis, Ore., with weather.com projecting about 43 degrees for the 12:30 p.m. kickoff. But the sun may peek out at times during the afternoon and there is minimal chance of rain.
Check back with this thread throughout the game for updates. In the meantime, some pre-game reading:
-- Linebacker Kuony Deng knows he must bring his `A' game
-- How will an intact defensive line make a difference?
-- Our preview box with all the facts and figures you need
-- Tackling must improve today
-- Cornerback Camryn Bynum rides the roller-coaster in a weird year
-- Five things the Beavers need to win (courtesy of the Oregonian)
Kickoff is 12:30 p.m. on FS1. See you then.
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*** Cal coach Justin Wilcox talks about OSU quarterback Tristan Gebbia:
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Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo
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