Congratulations to Daymeion Hughes, who has been honored as this year’s Lott Trophy winner, named for former 49er (and Trojan) Ronnie Lott.  The award honors on-field performance and personal character among defensive players.  It’s always great to see someone from Cal garner a national honor, and it’s even better that it takes personal character into consideration.

In other awards news, DeSean Jackson (he of the the ridiculous punt return antics) has been named one of three finalists for the Randy Moss Return Man Award.  Not sure, but here’s guessing that any award named after Randy Moss doesn’t take personal character into account.

Finally, although cornerback Tim Mixon won’t find out until February if he’s eligible to play for Cal next season, rest assured that at least one Mixon will suit up.  Tim’s younger brother, Terry, has just agreed to play for the Bears next season.  The JC transfer is a two-time All-American at the free safety spot, and has been rated by recruiting services as a five-star recruit.  He had previously committed to Arizona State, but I’m guessing the coaching mess there (bye-bye, Dirk; welcome once again to the Pac-10, Dennis Erickson) convinced him to look elsewhere.

Yes, it is Portland State. The winner/runner up in the Lousiana Tech sweepstakes.  Yes, they are not a Division 1-A team.  Nonetheless, at the time, this was another important game.  Every success was qualified with a question relating to Tennessee.  Every "Bear Territory" chant was jokingly modified to note that the great state of Tennessee was, in fact, not Bear Territory.  Cal needed another strong game to continue to wash away the stink from September 2nd. 

 So, let’s take a look at the Portland State Game.  It was the first real Cal football game, it seemed.  The week before the weather was chilly and very cold.  Thats not a football day.  A real football is absurdly hot.  You stand there for hours and hours trying to resist the urge to spend 4 dollars on a water.  How the band does it all with 18 inches of pure wool, one will never know.

 

 

Official Recap 

 

Game Stats 

 

What immediately jumps out at you is that the 3rd play from scrimmage was a Longshore interception.  And PSU quickly had the ball at the Cal 20.  By the next play, they had it at the 7.  We in the stands were fairly nervous, because this was not the way to start the game.  We even stuffed them for a 4 yard loss on the next play before a Cal penalty put them right back in it.

 

But, the D stiffened and only gave up a Field Goal.  This continued the early season trend of the other team scoring first.  Luckily, our nerves were rankled for a very brief period of time.  By the end of the 1st qtr, Cal was up 21-3.  

 

Another thing that jumps out at you is that Marshawn nearly averaged *20* yards/run.  Thats insane.  He only had 6 runs.  One was the longest of his career and super crazy awesome.  He spun out of one tackle and then broke another and then kinda juked a guy who was getting tackled out of bounds anyway.  Great stuff.

Here is a video of Greg Papa’s Soothing Monotones, also Marshawn’s run.   

 

He also had another big run that almost ended with a touchdown.  

 

Here is a video of that run. 

Many non-traditional Bears scored TDs that day like Marcus O’Keith and Cameron Morrah.  Names you don’t normally hear scoring a lot of TDs.  But its great to get anybody in the action.  Marcus O’Keith probably had the 2nd best day of all the running backs.  He ran 8 times for 65 yards.  On one drive in particular, he had a lot of success.  First, he had a nice run to put Cal near the goal-line.

 

 

Video. 

 And then he put it in himself.  Here is a photo of Marcus O’Keith mere moments before he put Cal up 35-3.

 

 Here is the video proof.

 

Lynch was taken out in the 2nd half, presumably to spare his ankles.  Good call by Tedford, but it did lead to a fairly boring 2nd half.  Really, that was the only downside.  It was 42-16 at half. It really was a great first half.  There was a whole lot of this:

 

 And even a crazy dogpile of half naked Cal fans, which might not be suitable for some of younger readers:

 

 

 

And the score stayed that way the entire 2nd half.  Tedford played a lot of scrubs to get them experience.  He didnt want to run up the score, which is classy.  But it led to a dull 2nd half.  Could have left at half and missed nothing.  Still, it was Cal football.  Great win.  Hot weather.  Band performance.  Marshawn.

 

And when I’m able to take the photo below, things are always great.

 

Portland State was the Empire Strikes Back of our early home game trifecta.  Except with an epically better ending for our heroes.  It was building up to what we thought was going to be a big game in ASU.  Most people will look over it on the schedule these days with a nod to the 1-AA status of the opponent.  But at the time, any and all success was much needed.  Great day, great game, great Marshawn.  

 

GO BEARS! 

Back for more. 

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Who (is playing)? Texas A&M Aggies (9-3) vs. CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS!!!!! (9-3).
Where (are they playing)? San Diego.
When (is it all going down)? December 28, 8 PM on ESPN.
First thoughts: We had better win.  Seriously, we had better win.  And honestly, I think we will.
Why (should you watch)?  Because it’s Cal and you’re reading a blog about Cal sports.  I wish I had more to say, but considering I’m all about the snide comments and I can’t think of any right now, I’d just like to say I don’t know anyone affiliated with A&M except Coach Fran.  And I have no idea why he’s notable at all.  Also notable: the headline for the game on the ESPN.com page devoted to it is "What a Rush".  You know, like the Road Warriors.  Man, I miss those guys.  Ok, just Hawk.  Since Animal’s still alive.  And hey, did you know James Laurinatis (sp?) on the Buckeyes is Animal’s son?  Really.  The things you learn.

Texas Bowl
Who (is playing)? Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-2) vs. Kansas State Wildcats (7-5).
Where (are they playing)? Houston.
When (is it all going down)? December 28, 8 PM on NFL Network.  Wait, what?
First thoughts: Instead of having to choose between going to the Orange Bowl for a Rutgers BCS game or the Rose Bowl, I’ve been given the option of choosing between both games on TV.  At the same time.  One of which is on a channel that I don’t get.  So maybe I don’t even get a choice.
Why (should you watch)?  For all the shots of James Gandolfini in the stands, for Jeremy "the Judge" Ito (the only kicker to ever have a nickname), for Ray Rice, and for the entire state of New Jersey.  F YEAH.

Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
Who (is playing)? Clemson Tigers (8-4) vs. Kentucky Wildcats (7-5).
Where (are they playing)? Tennessee.
When (is it all going down)? December 29, 1 PM on ESPN.
First thoughts: Gaylord?
Why (should you watch)?  Apparently this Rich Brooks coach on Kentucky used to be good.  Which is shocking, because I can’t remember Kentucky ever being good.

Brut Sun Bowl
Who (is playing)? Oregon State Beavers (9-4) vs. Missouri Tigers (8-4).
Where (are they playing)? El Paso.
When (is it all going down)? December 29, 2 PM on CBS. 
First thoughts: CBS thinks a game between Missouri and Oregon State is going to be a ratings winner?
Why (should you watch)?  Stewart Mandel earlier made a joke this year that Fox Sports Net Northwest has a show called Beavers All-Access.  One of his readers didn’t get the joke and pointed out other teams have those shows too.  I think that reader was McMike under a pseudonym.  As for why you should watch, are you really going to be doing anything else at 2 PM on December 29?

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Who (is playing)? South Carolina Gamecocks (7-5) vs. Houston Cougars (10-3).
Where (are they playing)? Memphis.
When (is it all going down)? December 29, 4:30 PM on ESPN. 
First thoughts: Ok, a 10-3 Houston team has to be the worst 10-win team in recent memory.
Why (should you watch)?  In another Stewart Mandel story, he received a letter from an Arkansas fan asking if he thought (coach Houston) Nutt, along with (quarterback Casey) Dick had much of a chance of beating the (South Carolina Game)Cocks that weekend.  I vote yes.  Nutt and Dick always beat the Cocks.  The Cougars?  Who cares?

God I hope I’m almost done.  I don’t even know how many bowls are left.  More to come tomorrow.