(Written by kencraw)

Here are my thoughts on the Minnesota game after re-watching it:

• The half-back pass thing to start the game is just too obvious these days, particularly since Best can’t pass. It’s most definitely a “tell” that Vereen is in the game to start instead of Best. I think the play still has some legs if used later in the game at a point where it is natural to sub in Vereen for Best. It was a good job by Vereen to take it and tuck it for a nice gain for a broken play.
• The unexpected star of this game, was Ross. After the Maryland game I felt like he was done, but in both the last two games he’s been a strong contributor. He’s been our end-around/fly sweep guy (is that perhaps a “tell” too?).
• What I really liked about the start of this game, on both the opening drives, was how much Cal showed its diversity. They even through in the QB keeper on 3rd down. Between the sweeps, the fake sweeps, the deep throws, the underneath throws, even the half-back pass, it really gives the defense a lot to think about.
• Best’s first TD run was just awesome. We’re going to see that on ESPN for a long time to come. Very Bush-esque with the leap into the endzone.
• We’ve all been impressed by Holley as a receiver and runner, but his pass protection so far hasn’t been as stellar. The first sack on Riley was definitely a blown block by Holley. His run blocking has seemed OK to me.
• If I had to say one thing that I think was the best thing to see out of this game it was Riley continuing to improve. The Bears really have balance now and Riley is doing what Longshore wasn’t: making clutch throws when things break down on 3rd downs.
• I’m pretty sure it was Tucker who had a play against Arizona where Longshore threw one of his trademark interceptions for a touchdown, but in this particular case, Tucker had an opportunity to play defensive back and break it up, but didn’t even make an attempt at it. As such, it was really nice to see him maturing and breakup the would be interception. There’s been a lot of growth on this team in the last year.
• OK, it’s not time to freak out yet, but D’Amato’s first attempt at a longer field goal doesn’t inspire much confidence. Am I right in thinking he’s now 1-3 on the season? I’ve seen him kick in practice and he looks really good (particularly the height he gets on his ball preventing the potential block) so I’m optimistic that he’ll get on track, but definitely something to watch for.
• For what it is worth, Minnesota’s worst field position of the 1st half was after that missed field goal (the Minnesota 30 yard line). Pathetic.
• Another thing to really like about this Cal offense is the WR run-blocking. Marvin Jones had a key block on Best’s 3rd TD run, which was impressive because the run was up the middle so Jones had to run a long way into the center of the defense to make the block.
• One of my complaints of personal foul calls is when they call both guys involved. Sure, sometimes it is merited, but I think about 75% of the time it’s a courtesy call to offset the real call so they don’t get boo’ed/yelled at. What you have to do is analyze each player assuming the other guy hadn’t done his part. So to use an example not from this game, when Blount hit the Boise player and there were calls to throw the Boise player out of a game or two, you have to think that if Blount hadn’t hit him, no one would have even thought to care about that guys actions. Same thing with the Cattouse incident in the 2nd quarter. Yeah, he did a light verbal taunt of the receiver, but if the receiver hadn’t shoved him, there’s no way he would have gotten a personal foul.
• I still disagree with the offensive play-calling on the last Cal series of the half. I would have at a minimum thrown the ball on 3rd and 7. Let Minnesota keep their last timeout if you don’t complete it, but don’t concede the lack of a 1st down by running on 3rd and 7. It was particularly bad because Minnesota didn’t need to use their timeout because the holding penalty stopped the clock anyway.
• You’ve really got to give it to the Minnesota QB for avoiding sacks with his shovel passes, two of which were completed for gains. Otherwise Cal has 6 sacks again.
• I was going to say that I was happy that at least one of Minnesota’s touchdowns wasn’t to Decker (seriously Cal D, it was pretty obvious who they were going to pass to) but when Decker is the one throwing the ball… it doesn’t give one much solace.
• Riley had yet another game with zero interceptions. He got lucky a few times in the game, but there’s something about the way Riley throws that even when he’s off the mark or throwing a risky pass, he seems to have a feel, even last year when he was struggling, for when a risky play is worth taking and won’t burn him.
• While there was criticism of the defense for not covering Decker, you still have to give them a lot of credit. Particularly consider what horrible field position they had to deal with, they did an exceptional job, most notably against the Minnesota run game. (They only gave up 37 yards!)
• Another clutch throwing play by Riley was with less than 10 minutes left in the game. The Bears hadn’t had any success yet in the 2nd half and it was 3rd and 15 and Riley laid a perfect throw to Ross for a 1st down. The Bears may not win this game without that play.
• D’Amato had two kickoffs. One was just beautiful down into the corner of the endzone. The other he got under and went to a Tavecchio like 16 yard-line. Inconsistent to be sure, but I still think it is time to give D’Amato an extended period to work out his kinks now that Tavecchio got plenty of time to work out his and never did.
• Despite the fact that the Cal D has been great in pass-protection, I heard a lot of grumbling about the lack of interceptions. Even though two of the three were garbage/end of game interceptions, hopefully it let the air out of that complaint.
• One of my favorite parts of the game is the garbage time pep-talk the announcers give to the losing team’s fans. They always talk about the positives to take from the game, the great things the program is doing, the recruits on the horizon or if worst comes to worst, they talk about the tough breaks. I guess it’s more funny when it’s not your team being patronized.

In summary, not the most beautiful game and the special teams were a big problem, but a win on the road is a win worth celebrating after a couple of frustrating road years. They should have never let Minnesota back in the game, but the emotional benefit of having to re-group and proving to themselves they could do it is well worth it in this case particularly since the final score doesn’t indicate a close game.

GO BEARS!