BERKELEY – On the first live play of practice Saturday running back Daniel Lasco ran around the right end for a 35-yard gain as the Golden Bears were simulating a fourth-and-one situation. It was the first of many big plays by the team’s offense but the defensive also had a strong day on a gorgeous spring afternoon at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium. Among the notes and highlights from the team’s 12th practice of the spring were …
- The offense successfully converting six-of-eight times during live fourth-and-1 simulations early in practice but on the two occasions they didn’t convert Trevor Kelly racking up an eight-yard tackle for loss and Todd Barr a four-yard sack
- The offense starting the first regular live team period by marching 75 yards down the field on 11 plays and scoring on a 10-yard touchdown run by Lasco
- The defense dominating the remainder of the first live team period with five consecutive stops including a trio of three-and-outs and defensive highlights from Barr (pass breakup), Kyle Kragen (sack), Puka Lopa (1.5 sacks, forced fumble), Michael Lowe (pass breakup), Brennan Scarlett (half-sack) and Cameron Walker (pass breakup), while the offense had two additional fumbles
- The return of the offense in force during the second live team period with the first-team unit scoring on each of its two possessions on Jared Goff touchdown passes of 12 and 19 yards to Bryce Treggs and Kenny Lawler, while also hitting Trevor Davis for a 54-yard gain on the first play of the drive that ended with Lawler’s touchdown
- An 86-yard scoring hookup between Austin Hinder and Davis later in the team period
QUICK QUOTES
Head Coach Sonny Dykes
On the team’s live work Saturday
“I thought it was really good. I thought it was clean for the most part. We still had a couple of problems with the snaps here and there, but other than that I thought it was pretty clean. We didn’t have a ton of penalties. I thought the guys executed pretty well on both sides. We made some big plays on offense. We did a good job getting the ball to guys when they had single coverage and guys made some plays. I thought defensively we did a lot of good things. We gave up a couple of big plays that obviously we need to get fixed, but I like the way the defense is running to the ball. Guys are flying around and our tackling is much improved. I liked what I saw for the most part.”
On the number of plays ran Saturday
“I think we were probably in the high 80’s, close to 90. This is the longest [scrimmage] we’ve had. We’ll see how healthy we are. We’ll go on Wednesday again in full pads and probably get another 60 or 70 plays on Wednesday and then get probably 60 or 70 plays in the spring game. We’re getting a lot of live work done, and I think it’s helping us.”
On quarterback Jared Goff
“The last week and a half he’s really starting to come on. He was rusty early; I think offensively we were rusty early. We were kind of experimenting, made a couple of changes. We were doing some things a little bit differently. He hadn’t been throwing a lot, so he wasn’t as sharp as he has been. Now he’s back. I felt like last week he was kind of back to his old self, and I feel like this week he’s improved. That’s what you want. You want to see him get better all the time.”
On the team’s health
“We’ve probably gone three times as many live snaps as we did last year, and we’ve had no injuries, not one so far. We’ve had a couple of pulled muscles here and there but nothing that’s been anything significant at all. I think it shows that our team’s in better shape. I think it shows that our team is more physical, more physically developed, stronger. I’m excited about the progress we’re making that way.”
Wide Receiver Trevor Davis
On the first of his two long receptions
“It was a deep post. Bryce [Treggs] took away the safety and it was just a wide-open shot down the middle of the field. I got caught from the back though, couldn’t score on that one, but that was a big play.”
On scoring and not getting caught from behind on the second of his two long receptions to score a touchdown
“Damariay [Drew] came from out of nowhere, I didn’t even know where he was coming from and he almost tackled me. Luckily, I got away and got a touchdown on that one.”
On the team’s offense
“This is the funnest offense to play in. I’ve played in three so far and this is the funnest offense by far. It’s a great offense and coaching staff also.”
The Cal Spring Football Experience presented by Shaw Management Group is now just one week away scheduled for Saturday, April 26 (11 a.m. PT). The free event to be televised live by Pac-12 Networks at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium will conclude four weeks of spring workouts. Gates open one hour in advance at 10 a.m. PT, with a host of activities including …
- Run On The Field With The Bears – First 100 fans in attendance receive a ticket good for the opportunity to lead the Bears onto the field through the North Tunnel
- Giveaways – First 2,500 fans receive Cal-themed food, schedule posters and t-shirts
- Youth Clinic – Free 30-minute clinic on the field for youth eighth grade and below (registration begins at 10 a.m. on Lisa and Douglas Goldman Plaza
- In-Game Events and Activities – Lucky fans will be able to win great prizes for competing in on-field promotional events
- Appearances by Oski, Cal Spirit and the Cal Band
- Pregame Fun Zone and Kids Activities
- Cal Bears Shop Merchandise Sale
- More details at CalBears.com/springfootball
