Cal wrapped up its third week of spring practice Saturday with a couple scrimmage periods allowing us to have the best look at the Bears in a game-like setting. It was a valuable time for some younger players to get an opportunity to showcase their abilities and for some returners to back up their spot on the depth chart as well.
Justin Wilcox and the coaching staff put the team in several different situations over what was around 80 plays throughout the two scrimmage periods. The players worked with some different groups, and it was the best evaluation of the team up to this point.
Here's a rundown of what stood out during Saturday's practice session.
– It was a big day for the running back group Saturday, and that started early as Jaivian Thomas and Dean-Taylor Chapman were able to leave their mark on Day 11 with several big running plays. Thomas has the top play of the day with a 63-yard rush on the first drive of the initial scrimmage period. The Jet ran up the middle and found a lane before he got down hill and pulled away from all the defenders. It was an impressive play and opened up a big day for the offense. Thomas ended up with two rushing scores on the day with his second coming in the middle of the second scrimmage period on a 9-yard run.
DTC was the star late in the scrimmage as he had back-to-back rushing touchdowns from 10 yards out to cap an impressive day for the second-year back. He had a nice 15-yard run earlier in the practice.
During the initial team period, it was Byron Cardwell who shined on the ground for the offense. The veteran running back wrapped up that period with three runs that went at least 9 yards highlighted by a 17-yard carry.
Jaydn Ott was not used in any of the live periods while Kadarius Calloway was used sparingly.
– Elsewhere offensively, receiver Trond Grizzell capped his best week of the spring with a standout showing Saturday. The former walk-on was able to get in the end zone twice, one in each scrimmage period, as he linked up with Fernando Mendoza on two impressive plays. The first came on a beauty of a throw from 18 yards out while the second touchdown catch for Grizzell came on a 20-yard play where he had to play through some contact.
– The other big story of the practice was the play of several freshmen on both sides of the ball. Receiver Josiah Martin was able to get in some work with the first unit Saturday, and he delivered with a number of impressive catches. The midyear enrollee from Texas caught four passes of at least 13 yards with two that went for 17 yards as he worked with both quarterbacks Saturday. The first receiver group to take the field Saturday included Martin, Grizzell, Tobias Merriweather and Jack Endries go along with Calloway at running back.
Defensively, inside linebackers Aaron Hampton and Eze Osondu both made an impact in Saturday's practice as well. Hampton came up with a big tackle for loss (2 yards) against Chapman to open the second scrimmage period and later had a run stop on Justin Williams-Thomas followed by a pass breakup in the end zone as well.
Freshman defensive back Dayday Aupiu came up with a late interception on a difficult play working against quarterback Chandler Rogers. There was a flag on the play but it was impressive nonetheless from the freshman. He also blocked a punt during the team punt period and had a sack late.
BJ Canady, who has bounced back and forth between the defensive line and outside linebacker groups, came up with a batted pass and a sack against Rogers during the first scrimmage period.
– Up front defensively, there were a number of contributors and impressive plays being made. Notre Dame transfer Aidan Keanaaina had his most impactful day of the spring Saturday. He has been a bit quiet at times through the first three weeks, but he stood out on several occasions including a sack plus a batted pass and a quarterback hurry.
Stanley Saole-McKenzie also was able to get in some work, and he made the most of the opportunity with some key plays including a sack on Rogers early in the second scrimmage period. In all, Saole-McKenzie, Canady, Keanaaina, Aupiu, inside linebacker Hunter Barth and defensive lineman Akili Calhoun accounted for the sacks in Saturday's practice.
On the back end, nickel Matthew Littlejohn (2), Cam Sidney and Isaiah Crosby all accounted for pass breakups.
– After a stellar showing Friday, Ryan Coe came back down to earth a bit but still had an impressive showing at the place kicker position. He missed 40-yard field goal try early in the first team period but bounced back by connecting on field goal attempts from 44 and 42 yards out during the scrimmage periods. He did miss on a 36-yard PAT after a penalty pushed the offense back after a score.
– The quarterback play overall was improved this week after a lackluster showing during Week 2. Mendoza, in particular, has looked locked in again over the last few practices, and that showed up again Saturday. He threw the ball with a ton of confidence and found his receivers in a few difficult spots throughout the day. Rogers did throw an interception (Aupiu), but used his feet well and continues to look more comfortable within the offense.
Touchdown plays
– Jaivian Thomas 63-yard run
– Fernando Mendoza to Trond Grizzell for 18 yards
– Fernando Mendoza to Trond Grizzell for 20 yards
– Fernando Mendoza to Jonathan Brady for 5 yards
– Jaivian Thomas 9-yard run
– Dean-Taylor Chapman 10-yard run
– Dean-Taylor Chapman 10-yard run
– Chandler Rogers to Cole Boscia for 20 yards
Post-practice interviews and practice clips
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