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
2019 record8–5 (4–5 Pac-12)
Head coachJustin Wilcox (3rd season)
Offensive coordinatorBeau Baldwin (3rd season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorTim DeRuyter (3rd season)
Base defense3–4
Captains
Home stadiumCalifornia Memorial Stadium
(Capacity: 62,467)
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]

Previous season
Main article: 2018 California Golden Bears football team

In 2018, the Bears went 7–6 under second-year head coach Justin Wilcox. After the Bears upset #15 Washington 12–10[8] and defeated USC 15–14 at the Coliseum in Los Angeles to snap a 14-year losing streak to the Trojans,[9] the Bears lost 10–7 in overtime to TCU in the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl. The Bears’ offensive efficiency ranked as the second worst among all Power Five teams.[10]

Preseason

Coaching changes

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.[11] Andrew Browning was named the Bears' new defensive line coach on February 27, 2019.[12] Browning is the third defensive line coach in three years under Justin Wilcox after Jerry Azzinaro's departure in 2017.[13]

Pac-12 media days

Pac-12 media poll

In the 2019 Pac-12 preseason media poll, California was voted to finish in fifth place in the North Division.[14]

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

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 Pac-12 Conference play, Cal played the other members of the North Division and faced Arizona State, UCLA, USC, and Utah from the South Division. They did not play Arizona and Colorado.

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 313:30 p.m.No. 5 (FCS) UC Davis*
P12NW 27–1344,168
September 77:30 p.m.at No. 14 Washington
FS1W 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. 23
ESPNUW 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 Oregon
FOXL 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 Utah
FS1L 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
FS1L 17–4146,397
November 231:00 p.m.at Stanford
P12NW 24–2048,904
November 307:30 p.m.at UCLA
FS1W 28–1838,102
December 301:00 p.m.vs. Illinois*
FOXW 35–2034,177

Source:[15]

Game summaries

* Home games are in dark blue

UC Davis
1 2 3 4 Total
No. 5 (FCS) Aggies 10 0 3 0 13
Golden Bears 0 13 7 7 27
See also: 2019 UC Davis Aggies football team
Overall record Last meeting Result
9–0 Sep. 4, 2010 W, 52–3

at Washington
1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Bears 0 3 14 3 20
No. 14 Huskies 0 10 3 6 19
See also: 2019 Washington Huskies football team


Overall record Last meeting Result
41–54–4 Oct. 27, 2018 W, 12–10

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.[16] Relying on rushing of running backs Christopher Brown Jr. (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.[17] 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
1 2 3 4 Total
Mean Green 0 3 7 7 17
Golden Bears 20 0 3 0 23
See also: 2019 North Texas Mean Green football team
Overall record Last meeting Result
First meeting

at Ole Miss
1 2 3 4 Total
No. 23 Golden Bears 7 7 14 0 28
Rebels 7 6 0 7 20
See also: 2019 Ole Miss Rebels football team


Overall record Last meeting Result
1–0 Sep. 16, 2017 W, 27–16

Arizona State
1 2 3 4 Total
Sun Devils 7 0 7 10 24
No. 15 Golden Bears 7 0 7 3 17
See also: 2019 Arizona State Sun Devils football team
Overall record Last meeting Result
17–17 Sep. 24, 2016 L, 41–51

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
1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Bears 7 0 0 0 7
No. 13 Ducks 0 0 10 7 17
See also: 2019 Oregon Ducks football team
Overall record Last meeting Result
41–40–2 Sep. 29, 2018 L, 24–42

Oregon State
1 2 3 4 Total
Beavers 7 7 0 7 21
Golden Bears 0 3 14 0 17
See also: 2019 Oregon State Beavers football team
Overall record Last meeting Result
38–34 Oct. 20, 2018 W, 49–7

at Utah
1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Bears 0 0 0 0 0
No. 12 Utes 7 21 7 0 35
See also: 2019 Utah Utes football team
Overall record Last meeting Result
6–6 Oct. 1, 2016 W, 28–23

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
1 2 3 4 Total
Cougars 5 6 3 6 20
Golden Bears 6 7 7 13 33
See also: 2019 Washington State Cougars football team
Overall record Last meeting Result
48–28–5 Nov. 3, 2018 L, 13–19

USC
1 2 3 4 Total
Trojans 10 7 17 7 41
Golden Bears 7 3 0 7 17
See also: 2019 USC Trojans football team
Overall record Last meeting Result
30–71–5 Nov. 10, 2018 W, 15–14

at Stanford
1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Bears 7 3 0 14 24
Cardinal 7 3 7 3 20
See also: 2019 Stanford Cardinal football team and Big Game (American football)
Overall record Last meeting Result
44–59–10 Dec. 1, 2018 L, 13–23

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
1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Bears 7 7 7 7 28
Bruins 7 3 8 0 18
See also: 2019 UCLA Bruins football team and California–UCLA football rivalry
Overall record Last meeting Result
34–54–1 Oct. 13, 2018 L, 7–30

vs. Illinois (Redbox Bowl)
1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Bears 7 14 7 7 35
Fighting Illini 10 3 0 7 20
See also: 2019 Illinois Fighting Illini football team and 2019 Redbox Bowl
Overall record Last meeting Result
4–7 Sep. 17, 2005 W, 35–20

Personnel

Coaching staff
NamePositionSeasons at CalBefore Cal
Justin WilcoxHead Coach3rd as Head Coach
(LB Coach, 2003–2005)		Wisconsin — Defensive Coordinator (2016)
Beau BaldwinOffensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach3rd yearEastern Washington — Head Coach (2008–16)
Tim DeRuyterDefensive Coordinator / Outside Linebackers Coach3rd yearFresno State — Head Coach (2012–16)
Gerald AlexanderDefensive Backs Coach3rd yearMontana State — Defensive Backs Coach (2016)
Andrew BrowningDefensive Line Coach2nd yearUTEP – Defensive Line Coach (2013–17)
Nicholas EdwardsWide Receivers Coach3rd yearEastern Washington — Wide Receivers Coach (2014–16)
Steve GreatwoodOffensive Line Coach3rd yearOregon — Offensive Line / Defensive Line Coach (2000–16)
Charlie RagleSpecial Teams Coordinator3rd yearArizona — Special Teams Coordinator (2013–17)
Peter SirmonCo-Defensive Coordinator / Associate Head Coach / Inside Linebackers2nd yearLouisville – Defensive Coordinator / Outside Linebackers Coach (2017)
Burl Toler IIIWide Receivers Coach2nd as Asst. Coach
(WR, 2001–2004)		UC Davis – Wide Receivers Coach (2016)
Marques TuiasosopoTight Ends Coach3rd yearUCLA — Quarterbacks Coach / Passing Game Coordinator (2016)
Reference: [18]

Roster
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 Brown Jr. - Sophomore (6'1, 230)

Wide Receiver

  •  2 Jordan Duncan - Senior (6'1, 205)
  •  4 Nikko Remigio - Sophomore (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 Polk - Freshman (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 (6'4, 245)
  • 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 Weaver - Senior (6'3, 235)

Cornerback

  •  3 Elijah Hicks - Junior (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

  • 93 Luc Bequette - Junior (6'0, 195)

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:[19]

Rankings
Further information: 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.
Week
Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Final 
AP NR NR RV 23 15 RV RV RV NR NR NR NR NR NR RV RV RV 
Coaches NR NR RV 23 16 RV RV RV NR NR NR NR NR NR NR RV RV 
CFP Not released NR NR NR NR NR NR NR Not released

Media affiliates

Radio

TV

Players drafted into the NFL
See also: 2020 NFL Draft
RoundPickPlayerPositionNFL Club
368Ashtyn DavisSNew York Jets
4134Jaylinn HawkinsSAtlanta Falcons
6202Evan WeaverLBArizona Cardinals

References
  1. Curtis, Jake (2019-09-23). "Cal: No. 15 ranking 'just noise' as it chases 5-0 start to season". SF Chronicle. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
  2. Curtis, Jake (2019-11-11). "Cal Football: Chase Garbers Cleared to Play, Might Start Vs. USC". CalMaven. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
  3. Ohman, Emily (2019-11-25). "The Axe is back: Cal beats Stanford for 1st time in decade". The Daily Californian. Retrieved 2019-11-28.
  4. "California vs. Stanford - Game Summary - November 23, 2019 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2019-11-28.
  5. Rusty Simmons (30 December 2019). "Cal beats Illinois in Redbox Bowl, first bowl win since 2015". SF Chronicle. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  6. "Pac-12 Football All-Conference honors announced". pac-12.com. Pac-12. 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. Simmons, Rusty (October 28, 2018). "Cal stuns No. 15 Washington with a 12-10 upset". San Francisco Chronicle.
  9. "Defensive Cal snaps 14-game skid vs USC with 15-14 victory". Associated Press. ESPN.com. November 10, 2018.
  10. Wild, Andrew (5 December 2018). "Is a coaching change the answer for Cal's offense?". DailyCal.org. The Daily Californian.
  11. "Cal's Tony Tuioti hired as Nebraska's defensive line coach". espn.com. Associated Press. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  12. "Andrew Browning Named Defensive Line Coach". calbears.com. Cal Athletics. 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  13. "DL Coach Azzinaro to become UCLA's DC". California Golden Blogs. 5 December 2017.
  14. "Utah picked as Pac-12 favorite in preseason media poll". pac-12.com. July 24, 2019.
  15. "2019 California Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  16. Calkins, Matt (2019-09-08). "Lightning strikes twice as Huskies suffer stunning loss to Cal … again". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on 2019-09-08. Retrieved 2019-09-08.
  17. "California vs. Washington - Box Score - September 7, 2019 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 2019-09-08. Retrieved 2019-09-08.
  18. "Football Coaching Staff". CalBears.com.
  19. "Football Roster". CalBears.com.
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