Cal is nearing the end of its second week of spring practice, and the Bears were back on the field at California Memorial Stadium Friday as they prepare for a more game-like day Saturday to close out Week 2. Friday's work again featured several big plays highlighted by continued strong performances from defensive players.
Here's a rundown of some new notes and observations on Day 6 for the Bears.
– By my count, there were three interceptions during Friday's practice and Nohl Williams came up with two of them. The fifth-year senior first came up with an interception working against tight end Ben Marshall. He stepped in front of the throw from Chandler Rogers early in the second team period. That was soon followed up with an interception off a tipped pass that Rogers intended for Marquez Dortch. Craig Woodson tipped the pass and nearly came up with the interception himself before Williams hauled in.
Marcus Harris came up with yet another interception earlier in practice Friday as he pulled in a jump ball on a pass from Rogers intended for Josiah Martin down the field.
Williams and Isaiah Crosby combined for a pass breakup against Tobias Merriweather during the 7-on-7 period while Marcus Scott II also had a PBU against Martin on a pass from Rogers.
– The defensive line had one of its best days of the spring Friday in my opinion. The group was impactful throughout the day Friday. Early in the first team period, Ethan Saunders and Xavier Carlton combined for a sack of Rogers, and that was just the start for the group up front. Saunders was able to flush Rogers out of the pocket later in practice forcing an throwaway.
Nate Burrell and Ricky Correia came up with a big stop during the final period inside the 10-yard line on a toss play to Kadarius Calloway.
– Overall, the defense shined again and it was particularly impressive when working against some different looks from the offense. Mike Bloesch was working in a lot of plays with the receivers carrying the ball so there were quite a few sweeps and the defense did a great job sniffing them out and stopping them. In the second team period that was highlighted by the play of Miles Williams who came up with back to back stops that energized the defensive sideline. First, he stopped Dortch on a screen followed by a big hit tight end Jeffrey Johnson on the next play.
Williams has been having a strong showing so far in spring running with the first unit at safety.
– Offensively, Jaivian Thomas was a standout as the second-year running back made several big plays helping him overcome a fumble early in practice. He had the lone touchdown of the day on an 11-yard screen play from Fernando Mendoza. He also had an impressive 15-yard run on a toss late in practice. Dean-Taylor Chapman put together the best run of the day on a 21-yard run toward the end of practice.
– On the injury front, Zurich Ashford was out for Friday's practice and had a big brace on his left leg cutting into the defensive line depth.
Post-practice interviews and practice clips
