#Michael Saffell

[bearterritory]

Modster, Defense Lift Bears Over Cougars

Quarterback Throws Three TD, Runs For Another In Win

BERKELEY - The Golden Bears finally got that elusive fifth win.

After starting the season 4-0, beating ranked teams on the road and finally being ranked as high as #15 themselves, things came crashing back down to Earth when starting QB Chase Garbers - the only quarterback the Bears had known for the previous 15 games - went down with an injury.  Suddenly Cal’s dominant defense did not have the offensive component to accompany it.

The Bears had other injuries, particularly to their experienced offensive line.  They also lost their backup QB, Devon Modster, for a time and had to start a true freshman (shades of a year ago).  And while they played surprisingly well - almost beating the Ducks in Eugene and some other frustratingly close contests - they still lost their next four games. Evan Weaver preferred the experience Saturday much more than in previous weeks. Weaver led another impressive performance against Washington State's vaunted offense, and Modster returned from his injury with four touchdowns as the Cal football team upended the Cougars 33-20 at California Memorial Stadium. "It feels pretty good to sit up here not all cranky and angry," said Weaver, who had 10 tackles for his 15th double-digit total in the past 16 games. "It's a pretty good time to be on the winning side. It's awesome to get a win." Saturday's victory snapped the bitter losing streak for the Bears (5-4, 2-4 Pac-12) and moved them within one win of qualifying for a bowl game for the second consecutive season.

Modster threw three touchdown passes and ran for another as Cal scored the most points in a game this season. His 13-yard scoring run with 2:26 to play put the Bears up 33-14.  He had already thrown a 9-yard scoring pass to tight end Gavin Reinwald, a 13-yard touchdown toss to running back Christopher Brown Jr. and a spectacular 52-yard catch-and-run to wide receiver Makai Polk for another score. Modster finished 16-for-24 for 230 yards and no interceptions for a passer rating of 188.4. "I'd say average," Modster said when asked to assess his performance. "I missed a couple of throws that I should have made. But I think it was a great team win. The offensive line played fantastic and the receivers made plays." Cal's return to the win column coincided with a healthier roster. Center Michael Saffell was back on the field after missing the previous two games because of injury as was wide receiver Kekoa Crawford. And Modster, who was injured against Oregon State and didn't play in the Bears' previous game at Utah, looked sharp in his comeback. "I love the fact that (Modster) thinks that way," Cal coach Justin Wilcox said. "He's a competitive guy. I think probably he's thinking about a few plays where we had some home runs that we didn't quite connect on and one that we dropped. But I'm proud of how he handled it and competed. He practiced with a chip on his shoulder last week and this week, and it showed up."

In three games against the Cougars since Wilcox became Cal's head coach, the Bears have held the Cougars to an average of 14 points per game. And that number became inflated when Washington State scored an insignificant touchdown with five seconds remaining. Still, Cal still held the Cougars well under their scoring average of 41.8 points per game, continuing a trend of holding WSU well below their season average. In the previous two games before Saturday, Cal held the Cougars to an average of 11 points per game – 24.8 points per game less than their average against all other teams during the same period.

Weaver led the defensive effort and moved into ninth place on Cal's single-season tackles list with 137 (he already is tied for second on the all-time list with 159 last season). Safety Jaylinn Hawkins recorded an interception and forced fumble and nickelback Josh Drayden had a career night six solo tackles. "(WSU's offense) correlates with our defense very well," Weaver said. "We had dudes who can cover and a D-line that can rush. To have guys like that all over the field is perfect." The Bears' defense limited Washington State to 423 total yards, 81 of which came on their final drive when Cal enjoyed a significant lead, and only 16 rushing yards. The Cougars entered the game ranked sixth in total offense at 521.9 yards per game. "We came into the game hungry," Polk said. "We're trying to get to a bowl game. We knew if we won this one, we'd be one win away from a bowl game. That was our motivation going into the game."

[atowndailynews]

Man arrested for felony DUI after traffic collision

46-year-old Michael Saffell. –San Luis Obispo Police Officers responded to a report of a traffic collision involving two vehicles at the intersection of S. Higuera and Los Osos Valley Road Saturday at approximately 6:18 p.m. The investigation revealed that 46-year-old Michael Saffell was driving his vehicle northbound on S. Higuera when he collided with another vehicle which was traveling…

[tkmedia]

Ohio State’s Ryan Day says NIL money should be spread out

By Adam Rittenberg, ESPN: Ohio State coach Ryan Day thinks that while college football’s highest-profile players will have immense earning opportunities through name, image and likeness deals, there should be consideration to sharing money among other players. Day, speaking Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium, was asked about Alabama coach Nick Saban’s recent comment that Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young could command seven figures in NIL agreements. Read the full story… —Recent News Feed Stories—- WSU’s leading receiver, Renard Bell, out for season with torn ACL - Panini and OneTeam bring group licensing to college trading card deals - One of Pac-12’s best OL, Cal’s Michael Saffell, medically retires - Witter: There’s only one logical outcome to RoloGate, so let’s get on with it - Trial by fire: New commissioners thrust into conference realignment chaos - CU partners with REVELxp to offer unique tailgating for Texas A&M game - Furness: WSU AD Pat Chun and Nick Rolovich at odds: Interim coach coming? - Report: Ex-Cal LB Mychal Kendricks sentenced to 1 day in jail - USC Trojans with four or more Summer Olympic appearances - New hoops HC Tommy Lloyd discusses first impressions of Wildcats - Former Ute Anissa Urtez hits Mexico’s first home run in Olympic history - Did Steve Sarkisian know about SEC talks before taking Texas job? - McCollough: Pac-12 can be a winner in this round of conference realignment - New Pac-12 commish: ‘We’d be foolish not to listen if schools call us’ - Report: Oklahoma-Texas move almost complete, in motion for six months - Buffs Training Camp Preview: Storylines Plentiful As CU Readies To Open Camp - Texas, Oklahoma no-show for Big 12 call to discuss reported SEC interest - Arizona hoops legend Jason Gardner returns as director of player relations - The Final Four rematch is on: UCLA and Gonzaga hoops in Las Vegas - Commissioner George Kliavkoff: Pac-12 considering use of forfeit for Covid-19 - Pac-12 realignment if Texas and Oklahoma do join the SEC - Zemek: Scenario George Kliavkoff, Pac-12 hoping for if Texas, OU go to SEC - Pac-12 announces 2021 Spring Academic Honor Roll recipients - Opinions fly on Nick Rolovich’s decision not to get vaccinated - College football teeters on total makeover and what it means for UW - WSU president appears to issue an ultimatum to Nick Rolovich - Ex-Wildcat J.J. Taylor projected as Patriots’ 2021 ‘breakout star’ by NFL.com - Former Colorado WR Jeremy Bloom introduces sponsorship for walk-ons - Did Texas A&M leak the story about Texas, Oklahoma going to SEC? - Report: Missouri, Texas A&M to vote against Texas, Oklahoma joining the SEC - Dodd: Texas, Oklahoma’s departure from Big 12 is inevitable - Mike Leach on 12-team CFP: ‘I personally would like to see 64’ - 247Sports’ top 50 college football players for the 2021 season - Top247 safety Tristan Dunn commits to the Sun Devils - How new NCAA transfer rules changed the way coaches recruit HS prospects - Report: Oregon’s Dana Altman receives extension through 2026-27 - Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff’s reaction to CFB realignment rumors - 3-star wide receiver Jaiven Plummer brings more speed to Cal’s 2022 class - Analysis: Sure, Texas & Oklahoma could move to SEC, but there are roadblocks - Washington State’s Nick Rolovich has chosen not to get a COVID-19 vaccination

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