Weather killed the home field advantage. Husky stadium had 66,327 fans at game time and the crowd was energized and loud as the game began. Cal’s first drive started deep in their own territory and you could feel the energy of the crowd. Then there was a 2 hour and 40 minute weather delay because of lightning. During the delay all fans had to leave the metal bleachers and head into the concourse, a majority of those fans decided to leave the game. After 2 hours and 40 minutes of countless lightning strikes and some of the hardest rain I’ve ever seen in Seattle the weather delay was over. But when fans were allowed to return to their seats there was only a small fraction of the original crowd. I will give credit to the fans who stayed for doing their best to cheer for the Huskies but it wasn’t the same home field advantage that has given the Huskies 15 straight home wins. This was especially apparent on Cal’s last drive of the game, what would have normally been a loud and chaotic environment for Cal was instead tired and quiet. And Cal took advantage, driving right down the field and kicking the game winning TD.
Husky Pass Rush looked really good in the first. Cal had trouble all game with the Husky pass rush until the last drive. Garbers was under duress for most of the first half. The Huskies has multiple first half sacks and forced Garbers to scramble on a majority of their pass plays. To combat the pass rush from the Huskies the Cal Bears started to run the ball on almost every play. Tuli Letuligasenoa and Liatu Latu both had their first career sacks today. Joe Tryon also had a sack, Ryan Bowman was in with multiple pressures on the Qb. In the second half Cal stuck to running the ball which neutralized the Husky pass rush that was so effective in the first half. And on the last drive in the fourth quarter Garbers had time to complete 3 big passes totaling 60 yards taking Cal within field goal range for the game winning kick.
RB by committee will be the answer to the Huskies rushing offense. The Huskies will not have one RB who is going to replace Myles Gaskin. It will take all three RBs and maybe a couple WRs. Salvon Ahmed, Sean McGrew, and Richard Newton all got a good amount of carries throughout the game. Wide receivers Chico McClatcher and Andre Baccellia helped out in the running game as well, Chico lined up in the back field and got a few carries and Baccellia had a good run on a reverse. Salvon will still need to be the lead back but splitting carries with McGrew and Newton depending on situation will be better for the whole group. Salvon was able to break free for a few good runs and almost had a long touchdown if not for a shoestring tackle by Cal. Newton looks like a very capable short yardage back who has the vision and quickness to make some good cuts and break free into the second level. McGrew still looks like he is trying to find a spot on this offense but is a capable playmaker and catches the ball well out of the backfield. Salvon ended up with 21 carries for 119 yards, Newton had 9 for 42, and McGrew had 3 for 11.
Husky run defense looked BAD at times . Maybe it was the fact that it was after midnight but the Huskies couldn’t stop Cal from running wherever they wanted in the second After running the ball 18 times for only 58 yards in the first half Cal came out and ran the ball right down Washington’s throat for two drives in a row in the third quarter. Cal ended the night with 38 carries for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns after having only 58 yards at halftime. Missed tackles and positioning really hurt the Huskies run defense. Coach Petersen talked about the team having a lot of work to do on tackling after seeing today’s performance. There were also multiple runs where the defense lost contain and the Cal running back was able to bounce outside for big gains.
Evan Weaver will be Pac 12 DPOY. Evan came back home to Washington talking a lot of smack but he backed it up. He was all over the place tonight making what seemed like every tackle for the Cal Bears. He was blitzing, pressuring Jacob Eason, in coverage on the tight ends, he forced the fumble on Jacob Eason, and seemed to make the tackle on almost every play. He finished the game with 18 tackles, 14 solo, 2 TFL and a forced fumble. It was very impressive how well he avoided blocks and made his way to the ball carrier with elite instincts.
WR drops killed any momentum Jacob Eason would have had. Crossing routes and slants were open all game and for whatever reason the wide receivers just couldn’t hang on to them. The Huskies had at least 6 drops by my count. The biggest one of the game came on third and 10 with 4 min to go in the game when Eason hit Fuller right in the chest on a slant and he dropped it. Peyton Henry bailed the Dawgs out by hitting a 49 yard field goal to give the Huskies the lead but a first down there would have taken more time off the clock and potentially sealed the win for the Huskies. Instead Cal got the ball back with 3 min to go and were able to run the clock down to 8 seconds before kicking the game winning field goal. Eason finished the game 18 for 30 for 162 yards and 1 interception.
