2019 California Golden Bears football team

The 2019 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They competed as members of the North Division of the Pac-12 Conference. In their third year under head coach Justin Wilcox, the Bears improved to an 8–5 record for only the second time since 2009, finishing 2nd in the Pac-12 North.

2019 California Golden Bears football
Redbox Bowl champion
Redbox Bowl, W 35–20 vs. Illinois
ConferencePac-12 Conference
DivisionNorth Division
Record8–5 (4–5 Pac-12)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBeau Baldwin (3rd season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorTim DeRuyter (3rd season)
Base defense3–4
Captains
Home stadiumCalifornia Memorial Stadium
Seasons
← 2018
2020 →
2019 Pac-12 Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
North Division
No. 5 Oregon x$   8 1     12 2  
California   4 5     8 5  
Washington   4 5     8 5  
Oregon State   4 5     5 7  
Washington State   3 6     6 7  
Stanford   3 6     4 8  
South Division
No. 16 Utah x   8 1     11 3  
USC   7 2     8 5  
Arizona State   4 5     8 5  
UCLA   4 5     4 8  
Colorado   3 6     5 7  
Arizona   2 7     4 8  
Championship: Oregon 37, Utah 15
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The Bears started off the season strong, achieving a No. 15 AP ranking (their highest since 2009) after a 4–0 start, including a 20–19 upset win against No. 14 ranked Washington.[1] However, after injury to quarterback Chase Garbers during the Arizona State game, the Bears proceeded to lose the next four games.[2]

With the return of Garbers, Cal notably defeated Stanford in the Big Game for the first time since 2009. This win clinched bowl eligibility for the Bears while making the Cardinal ineligible for the post-season for the first time in ten years.[3][4] The Bears went to the Redbox Bowl, where they defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini 35–20,[5] their first bowl win since 2015.

Senior linebacker Evan Weaver was the standout player of the season after leading the nation with a school-record and Pac-12 record 182 tackles, earning him the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and becoming the first consensus All-American from Cal since 2006.[6][7]

Preseason

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Coaching changes

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On February 26, 2019, defensive line coach Tony Tuioti left the Golden Bears to become the new defensive line coach for the Nebraska Cornhuskers under Scott Frost.[8] Andrew Browning was named the Bears' new defensive line coach on February 27, 2019.[9] Browning is the third defensive line coach in three years under Justin Wilcox after Jerry Azzinaro's departure in 2017.[10]

Pac-12 media days

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Pac-12 media poll

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In the 2019 Pac-12 preseason media poll, California was voted to finish in fifth place in the North Division.[11]

Media poll (North Division)
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Oregon 190 (17)
2 Washington 189 (17)
3 Stanford 129
4 Washington State 108 (1)
5 California 81
6 Oregon State 38

Schedule

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Three of California first four games were non-conference games, starting on August 31 against UC Davis of the Big Sky Conference. The Golden Bears then played their conference opener against Washington. Rounding out the non-conference slate was a home game against North Texas of Conference USA and a road game against Ole Miss of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). In conference, Cal did not play Arizona or Colorado.

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 313:30 p.m.No. 5 (FCS) UC Davis*P12NW 27–1344,168
September 77:30 p.m.at No. 14 WashingtonFS1W 20–1966,327
September 141:15 p.m.North Texas*
  • California Memorial Stadium
  • Berkeley, CA
P12NW 23–1735,268
September 219:00 a.m.at Ole Miss*No. 23ESPNUW 28–2046,850
September 277:30 p.m.Arizona StateNo. 15
  • California Memorial Stadium
  • Berkeley, CA
ESPNL 17–2447,532
October 55:00 p.m.at No. 13 OregonFOXL 7–1754,766
October 1911:30 a.m.Oregon State 
  • California Memorial Stadium
  • Berkeley, CA
P12NL 17–2142,064
October 267:00 p.m.at No. 12 UtahFS1L 0–3546,626
November 94:00 p.m.Washington State
  • California Memorial Stadium
  • Berkeley, CA
P12NW 33–2039,168
November 168:00 p.m.USC
  • California Memorial Stadium
  • Berkeley, CA (Joe Roth Memorial Game)
FS1L 17–4146,397
November 231:00 p.m.at StanfordP12NW 24–2048,904
November 307:30 p.m.at UCLAFS1W 28–1838,102
December 301:00 p.m.vs. Illinois*FOXW 35–2034,177

[12]

Game summaries

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* Home games are in dark blue

UC Davis

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 5 (FCS) Aggies 10 0 3 0 13
Golden Bears 0 13 7 7 27

At Washington

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California at Washington – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Golden Bears 0 3 14320
No. 14 Huskies 0 10 3619

at Husky StadiumSeattle, WA

  • Date: September 7, 2019
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C) • Cloudy (Lightning) • Wind @ 0 mph (0 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 66,327
  • Referee: Michael Mothershed
  • TV: FS1
Game information
Top passers
Top rushers
  • CAL – Christopher Brown Jr.: 16 attempts, 80 yards
  • UW – Salvon Ahmed: 21 attempts, 119 yards, one touchdown
Top receiving
  • CAL – Kekoa Crawford: 3 receptions, 48 yards
  • UW – Hunter Bryant: 4 receptions, 40 yards; Aaron Fuller: 3 receptions, 40 yards


The game started at 7:30 pm, but was paused at the end of first quarter due to a lightning storm; the pause lasted for approximately two and a half hours. By the time of the restart - 10 pm, there was only approximately 16,000 of the original approximately 60,000 fans left at the venue.[13] Relying on rushing of running backs Christopher Brown (80 yards), and Marcel Dancy (72 yards, 2 touchdowns) and quarterback Chase Garbers (42 yards), Cal won on a last minute field goal by Greg Thomas.[14] This was the Golden Bears second straight win against the Huskies. In the 2018 home game Cal upset No. 15 Washington 12 to 10.

North Texas

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1 2 3 4 Total
Mean Green 0 3 7 7 17
Golden Bears 20 0 3 0 23

At Ole Miss

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1 2 3 4 Total
No. 23 Golden Bears 7 7 14 0 28
Rebels 7 6 0 7 20


Arizona State

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1 2 3 4 Total
Sun Devils 7 0 7 10 24
No. 15 Golden Bears 7 0 7 3 17

In the final drive of the first half, quarterback Chase Garbers was injured, breaking his right collarbone. Gabrers would not be cleared to play again until he started against USC.

At Oregon

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1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Bears 7 0 0 0 7
No. 13 Ducks 0 0 10 7 17

Oregon State

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1 2 3 4 Total
Beavers 7 7 0 7 21
Golden Bears 0 3 14 0 17

At Utah

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1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Bears 0 0 0 0 0
No. 12 Utes 7 21 7 0 35

This defeat was the first shutout of a California team since a 1999 defeat to No. 5 Nebraska. Starting quarterback Chase Garbers and backup Devon Modster were injured for the game.

Washington State

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1 2 3 4 Total
Cougars 5 6 3 6 20
Golden Bears 6 7 7 13 33
USC Trojans at California Golden Bears
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Trojans 10 7 17741
Golden Bears 7 3 0717

at California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, California

  • Date: November 16, 2019
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m
  • Game attendance: 46,397
  • TV: FS1
Game information

At Stanford

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California Golden Bears vs. Stanford Cardinal – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Golden Bears 7 3 01424
Cardinal 7 3 7320

at Stanford StadiumStanford, California

  • Date: November 23, 2019
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game attendance: 48,904
  • Referee: Chris Coyte
  • TV: P12N
  • Reference
Game information

With this victory, Cal ended Stanford's nine-year win streak in the Big Game. The win also ensured the Bears' qualification to a bowl game for the second consecutive year, the first time this has happened in ten years. Likewise, the loss put Stanford at 4–7 for the season, ending its hopes of making its tenth consecutive bowl game.

At UCLA

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1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Bears 7 7 7 7 28
Bruins 7 3 8 0 18

Vs. Illinois (Redbox Bowl)

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1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Bears 7 14 7 7 35
Fighting Illini 10 3 0 7 20

Personnel

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Coaching staff

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Name Position Seasons at Cal Before Cal
Justin Wilcox Head coach 3rd as head coach
(LB coach, 20032005)
Wisconsin – Defensive coordinator (2016)
Beau Baldwin Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach 3rd year Eastern Washington – Head coach (2008–16)
Tim DeRuyter Defensive coordinator / outside linebackers coach 3rd year Fresno State – Head coach (2012–16)
Gerald Alexander Defensive backs coach 3rd year Montana State – Defensive backs coach (2016)
Andrew Browning Defensive line coach 2nd year UTEP – Defensive line coach (2013–17)
Nicholas Edwards Wide receivers coach 3rd year Eastern Washington – Wide receivers coach (2014–16)
Steve Greatwood Offensive line coach 3rd year Oregon – Offensive line / defensive line coach (2000–16)
Erik Meyer Quality Control, Offensive 3rd year La Mirada HS (CA) – Quarterbacks coach (2008–16)
Charlie Ragle Special teams coordinator 3rd year Arizona – Special teams coordinator (2013–17)
Peter Sirmon Co-defensive coordinator / associate head coach / inside linebackers 2nd year Louisville – Defensive coordinator / outside linebackers coach (2017)
Burl Toler III Wide receivers coach 2nd as Asst. Coach
(WR, 20012004)
UC Davis – Wide receivers coach (2016)
Marques Tuiasosopo Tight ends coach 3rd year UCLA – Quarterbacks coach / passing game coordinator (2016)
Reference: [15]

Roster

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2019 California Golden Bears Football

Quarterback

  •  6 Devon Modster –   junior (6'2, 210)
  •  7 Chase Garbers  sophomore (6'2, 205)
  • 13 Spencer Brasch – freshman (6'4, 180)
  • 15 Robbie Rowell –   freshman (6'2, 220)

Running back

  •  9 Alex Netherda –   senior (6'0, 215)
  • 23 Marcel Dancy –   junior (5'10, 195)
  • 25 DeCarlos Brooks – freshman (5'9, 190)
  • 26 DeShawn Collins –   junior (5'10, 195)
  • 34 Christopher Brownsophomore (6'1, 230)

Wide receiver

  •  2 Jordan Duncan – senior (6'1, 205)
  •  4 Nikko Remigiosophomore (5'10, 185)
  • 10 Jeremiah Hawkins – junior (5'8, 180)
  • 11 Kekoa Crawford –   junior (6'1, 190)
  • 14 Monroe Young –   freshman (6'0, 200)
  • 17 Makai Polkfreshman (6'3, 185)
  • 21 Ricky Walker III –   sophomore (5'11, 190)
  • 39 Evan King –   sophomore (6'3, 205)
  • 41 Ben Skinner –   freshman (6'2, 185)
  • 80 Trevon Clark – junior (6'4, 180)
  • 83 Chris Rogers – freshman (6'3, 175)
  • 86 Jared Staub – freshman (6'0, 180)
  • 87 Lucas Allen – freshman (6'2, 205)
  • 88 Ryan Regan –   freshman (6'0, 185)

Tight end

  • 16 Collin Moore –   sophomore (6'4, 250)
  • 49 Nick Alftin –   freshman (6'5, 235)
  • 81 Elijah Mojarro – freshman (6'5, 245)
  • 82 McCallan Castles  freshman (6'4, 235)
  • 84 Gavin Reinwald –   sophomore (6'3, 235)
  • 85 Jake Tonges  sophomore (6'5, 230)

Placekicker

  • 36 Nick Lopez – freshman (6'1, 190)
  • 39 Greg Thomas –   senior (5'9, 165)

Punter

  • 30 Dario Longhetto –   freshman (6'0, 170)
  • 37 Steven Coutts –   senior (6'4, 215)
 

Offensive lineman

  • 53 Michael Saffell – junior (6'2, 300)
  • 56 Jack Beeman –   sophomore (6'4, 290)
  • 60 Brian Driscoll – freshman (6'4, 295)
  • 61 Valentino Daltoso –   junior (6'4, 300)
  • 62 Ben Coleman – freshman (6'4, 315)
  • 63 Brayden Rohme – freshman (6'6, 260)
  • 64 Gentle Williams –   junior (6'3, 290)
  • 66 Cal Frank – freshman (6'7, 270)
  • 68 Erick Nisich –   freshman (6'4, 290)
  • 70 Poutasi Poutasi –   sophomore (6'4, 340)
  • 71 Jake Curhan  junior (6'6, 335)
  • 72 McKade Mettauer – freshman (6'4, 285)
  • 73 Matthew Cindric –   freshman (6'4, 295)
  • 74 Will Craig – sophomore (6'5, 290)
  • 76 Henry Bazakas –   senior (6'6, 315)
  • 78 Brandon Mello –   freshman (6'6, 295)

Defensive end

  • 44 Zeandae Johnson –   senior (6'4, 290)
  • 47 JH Tevis –   freshman (6'4, 275)
  • 55 Lone Toailoa –   senior (6'2, 290)
  • 92 Gabriel Cherry –   sophomore (6'5, 280)

Nose guard

  • 90 Brett Johnson – freshman (6'5, 285)
  • 94 Gunnar Rask – freshman (6'2, 275)
  • 95 Miles Owens –   freshman (6'6, 350)
  • 97 Aaron Maldonado – sophomore (6'3, 285)
  • 99 Siulagisipai Fuimaono –   sophomore (6'4, 320)

Outside linebacker

  • 15 Ben Moos –   sophomore (6'4, 230)
  • 19 Cameron Goode  junior (6'3, 235)
  • 33 Myles Jernigan – freshman (6'3, 220)
  • 38 Matt Horwitz –   sophomore (6'4, 235)
  • 40 Parker Bosche –   freshman (6'4, 225)
  • 41 Curley Young Jr. – freshman (6'1, 220)
  • 48 Orin Patu – freshman (6'4, 220)
  • 52 Braxten Croteau – freshman (6'5, 240)
  • 91 Chinedu Udeogu –   junior (6'4, 270)
  • 96 Tevin Paul –   junior (6'4, 260)
  • 98 Ben Hawk Schrider –   senior (6'3, 240)
 

Inside linebacker

  •  8 Kuony Deng –   junior (6'6, 220)
  • 42 Colt Doughty – senior (6'1, 230)
  • 50 Kyle Smith – freshman (6'3, 215)
  • 51 Blake Antzoulatos – freshman (6'2, 220)
  • 53 Tommy Vanis –   freshman (6'1, 215)
  • 54 Evan Tattersall –   freshman (6'2, 235)
  • 56 Sam Walker –   freshman (6'3, 225)
  • 57 Nick Henderson –   freshman (6'2, 210)
  • 58 Zach Angelillo –   freshman (6'2, 220)
  • 59 Ryan Puskas – freshman (6'3, 210)
  • 60 Alex Murray – freshman (6'2, 205)
  • 89 Evan Weaversenior (6'3, 235)

Cornerback

  •  3 Elijah Hicksjunior (5'11, 195)
  •  7 Chigozie Anusiem –   freshman (6'1, 190)
  • 18 Branden Smith –   sophomore (5'10, 170)
  • 20 Josh Drayden – senior (5'10, 180)
  • 24 Camryn Bynum  junior (6'0, 195)
  • 25 Erik Harutyunyan – freshman (6'2, 205)
  • 28 Miles Williams – freshman (6'0, 180)
  • 30 Jaylen Martin – freshman (6'2, 165)
  • 34 Tarik Glenn Jr. – freshman (5'10, 175)
  • 36 D'Shawn Hopkins – junior (5'11, 205)

Defensive line

Safety

  •  2 Isaiah Humphries –   freshman (5'11, 190)
  •  5 Trey Turner III –   senior (6'1, 185)
  •  6 Jaylinn Hawkins  senior (6'2, 210)
  • 26 Craig Woodson – freshman (6'0, 190)
  • 27 Ashtyn Davis  senior (6'1, 200)
  • 31 Steve Mcintosh –   freshman (5'11, 185)
  • 32 Daniel Scott  sophomore (6'2, 195)

Long snapper

  • 32 JJ Lindsay – freshman (6'1, 185)
  • 45 Slater Zellers –   freshman (6'1, 235)
  • 48 Daniel Etter –   sophomore (5'10, 225)

Nickelback

  • 22 Traveon Beck – senior (5'9, 165)

Source and player details:[16]

Rankings

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415Final
APRV2315RVRVRVRVRVRV
CoachesRV2316RVRVRVRVRV
CFPNot releasedNot released

Media affiliates

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Radio

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Players drafted into the NFL

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Round Pick Player Position NFL club
3 68 Ashtyn Davis S New York Jets
4 134 Jaylinn Hawkins S Atlanta Falcons
6 202 Evan Weaver LB Arizona Cardinals

References

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  1. ^ Curtis, Jake (September 23, 2019). "Cal: No. 15 ranking 'just noise' as it chases 5-0 start to season". SF Chronicle. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  2. ^ Curtis, Jake (November 11, 2019). "Cal Football: Chase Garbers Cleared to Play, Might Start Vs. USC". CalMaven. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  3. ^ Ohman, Emily (November 25, 2019). "The Axe is back: Cal beats Stanford for 1st time in decade". The Daily Californian. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  4. ^ "California vs. Stanford - Game Summary - November 23, 2019 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  5. ^ Rusty Simmons (December 30, 2019). "Cal beats Illinois in Redbox Bowl, first bowl win since 2015". SF Chronicle. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  6. ^ "Pac-12 Football All-Conference honors announced". pac-12.com. Pac-12. December 10, 2019. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  7. ^ "Bears Overwhelm Illinois To Win Redbox Bowl". calbears.com. Cal Athletics. December 30, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  8. ^ "Cal's Tony Tuioti hired as Nebraska's defensive line coach". espn.com. Associated Press. February 26, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  9. ^ "Andrew Browning Named Defensive Line Coach". calbears.com. Cal Athletics. February 27, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  10. ^ "DL Coach Azzinaro to become UCLA's DC". California Golden Blogs. December 5, 2017.
  11. ^ "Utah picked as Pac-12 favorite in preseason media poll". pac-12.com. July 24, 2019. Archived from the original on July 24, 2019.
  12. ^ "2019 California Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  13. ^ Calkins, Matt (September 8, 2019). "Lightning strikes twice as Huskies suffer stunning loss to Cal … again". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on September 8, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  14. ^ "California vs. Washington - Box Score - September 7, 2019 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  15. ^ "Football Coaching Staff". CalBears.com.
  16. ^ "Football Roster". CalBears.com.
  NODES
eth 1
games 4
see 14