Cal went back to work Thursday after having a day off, and there was certainly a bit of a different feel to today's practice. It is the start of the second week, and the intensity continued to hit a new level. There are seemed to be more focus across the board as well as a little more of a serious approach to the task at hand.
The staff has been big on preaching competition, and with so many positions still seemingly up for grabs it is starting to feel as though the coaches want to have those spots situated by the end of the next full week of camp.
Thursday's practice was on the shorter side compared to some others, but there was an even bigger emphasis on team periods compared to others. That provided onlookers with a better opportunity to see what the team is looking like a few weeks out from the opener.
Here are some of my thoughts after watching Thursday's work.
Practice observations and notes
- On the surface, Thursday's practice was similar in many ways to the others with mixing and matching of various groups. However, some of the standout performances were able to shine through that, and it was clear that the day belonged to the defense. Tuesday's practice was most balanced of camp with both the offense and the defense coming out feeling pretty good about the day.
Thursday, it was the defense that was in a better position. The first true touchdown of practice for the offense didn't come through until Ben Finley found Brian Hightower for a 34-yard connection against Isaiah Young late in the second team period. Sam Jackson V did have what would have been an 80-yard rushing touchdown but the play was called dead because the defense isn't allowed to tackle the quarterback.
- The defensive front continues to hit its stride at this point in camp with several plays in the backfield during Thursday's practice. Nate Burrell came up with a sack of Finley thanks to some pressure from David Reese during the second team period. Reese had a sack of Jackson during the final team period as well. Meanwhile, freshman Ryan McCulloch came up with a sack while fellow outside linebacker Myles Jernigan had a strip sack against Fernando Mendoza in the second team period. Tidiane Jalloh had a batted pass working against Mendoza early in practice, and Kaleb Elarms-Orr came up with a tackle for loss on a scramble play from Jackson.
- At the quarterback position, Finley put together the best day of the group. He was given some time to work with the first unit, but whether he was with that group or the third unit he had some impressive plays once again. He had three touchdown passes overall Thursday including a 20-yard scoring connection with Jaiven Plummer and a 15-yard touchdown pass to Mason Starling in the "DEVO" period that puts together some newcomers or players working their way up the depth chart.
- As of now, it is still too early to call the quarterback competition in favor of one player. Jackson would likely be the starter if Cal had to play this weekend, but Finley has been coming on strong and only looks to be more in the picture the more he has an opportunity to practice with the team. He throws the best ball of the three top contenders and has appeared more comfortable in recent days. Mendoza had been the most consistent quarterback up until the last couple practices. He simply has not looked as sharp this week, but he also has not had an opportunity to work with first unit as much. Today, those opportunities mostly stuck with Jackson and Finley. Jackson made fewer mistakes Thursday and showcased his ability to make plays with his feet once again.
- Injuries are beginning to hit the Bears at this point in camp. Thursday, Brett Johnson and Sergio Allen were two players added to the list. Johnson worked off to the side with the medical staff and wore a big brace on his knee. Justin Wilcox did not elaborate on Johnson's status much but said his hope is that the defensive lineman will be ready to go for the season. Allen has been a key part of the rotation at inside linebacker, and at this point it is unclear what forced him to watch Thursday's practice instead of participate. However, he was not working with the training staff and had to simply watch practice. The same was the case again for tight end J.T. Byrne, who was part of a pretty nasty collision earlier in the week.
Stanley Saole-McKenzie and Ricky Correia earned some extended looks with the first unit because of the shuffling up front with Johnson out. Kaleb Elarms-Orr, who had a strong showing Thursday, was the replacement for Allen alongside Jackson Sirmon at the inside linebacker position.
- Some new names began to make some noise during Thursday's practice with some added opportunities. San Diego State transfer and former All-Mountain West safety Patrick McMorris has missed some practice time already in camp leaving him to work his way up the depth chart, but Thursday he found a way to stand out quite a bit. His best play came on a pass breakup against Mavin Anderson in the second team period on a throw from Finley.
Fellow defensive back transfer Marcus Scott II (Missouri) had been quiet through most of camp, but Thursday was easily the most he has been able to stand out through the first seven days. Wilcox acknowledged that it was his best day, and he made a couple impressive plays during the team periods. After ending up on the losing end of a tough battle with Marquis Montgomery, who made a great over-the-top catch, in the 7-on-7 portion of practice, Scott made his first big impression with a stop on receiver Taj Davis that sent the newcomer back a bit on the play. Scott followed that up with an impressive pass breakup working against Montgomery on a throw from Finley. The Missouri transfer seemed to be locked in with the second unit for most of the day.
McCulloch has been given a bigger opportunity over the last couple practices as the Bears need to build some more depth at the outside linebacker spot. He has responded by making some significant plays. He had a tackle for loss and forced fumble on Jaydn Ott during Tuesday's practice, and today he was able to come up with a sack on Mendoza during the second team period. Now, the freshman doesn't appear to be in position to steal a starting role just yet, but he certainly will be part of the conversation when it comes to the rotation at the position if he can continue on his current trajectory.
- The running back group had an opportunity to flash a bit more in Thursday's practice. There certainly is a nice battle brewing behind Jaydn Ott for that No. 2 spot. Montana State transfer Isaiah Ifanse has seemed to be the go-to back for the second unit throughout camp, and he continues to shine in that role especially with his physicality, but Ashton Stredick has been making strides as well in camp and again had an impressive day Thursday. Both players did. Ifanse's physical style is a nice change up to the speed of Ott, and he had that on display with a nice 20-yard rushing score to end the final team period today. Stredick showed his own ability to fight through tackles as he came up with a big 23-yard run up the middle to move the chains in that same period.
The final period overall featured a lot of the running backs with Ott seeing the ball come his way on pass attempts.
Practice clips (Day 7)
Video interviews
Thursday's practice photo gallery
PHOTOS: Cal training camp (Day 7)
Over 60 photos from Cal's seventh day of training camp Thursday on the field at Memorial Stadium.
Last edited:
