Shocked

One of the most anticipated season openers in California Vulcans football history did not end the way the Cal U faithful anticipated. Hosting unranked Saginaw Valley (Mich), the Vulcans were upset on their home field by a score of 23-17. That marks just the second regular season loss for the Vulcans in the last three seasons.

California and Saginaw Valley were deadlocked at 7 early in the 2nd quarter. However, it wasn't a matter of two teams playing a chess match with each other. Cal was just hanging on.

Late in the second quarter it had looked like Cal got the break they needed. Dominique Curry blocked a Cardinals punt that rolled through the endzone for a safety. Cal took a 9-7 lead. Nevertheless, the slim lead and Cal's momentum were short lived. On the ensuing free kick, Saginaw Valley recovered a California fumble deep in Vulcan territory. Just a few short plays later, Saginaw Valley claimed the lead after tight end Galen Stone scored on a 12 yard reverse play. The score at the half read, Saginaw Valley 14, and California 9.

Early in the third quarter, the Vulcans running back Freddie Bacco cashed in on his second rushing touchdown of the game. With a successful two-point conversion, the Vulcans took a 17-14 lead. Saginaw Valley quickly responded by scoring a touchdown and recording a safety to take a 23-17 lead, with 5:04 remaining in the 4th quarter.

Cal drove down to the Cardinals 32 yard line before a Josh Portis pass was intercepted. That marked the first home opener loss in six seasons for the Vulcans.

Leaving the capacity crowd at Adamson Stadium, I can honestly tell you that the crowd was in total shock. You could just feel the energy leaving that field along with all of the fans. I have never heard that stadium so quiet. #8 California was knocked off on their home turf, by an unranked opponent.

Now it's time for Cal to man up, and play football. It won't get any easier when #11 Bloomsburg comes to "The Valley" next weekend. I know that the defense will be there, but it's just a matter of what offense shows up. After only one week, I can truthfully say that I am not sold on new QB Josh Portis. An entire O-Line that returned was manhandled all night by the Cardinals. The explosive receiving corps had a case of the drops, and did not impress in the season opener.

It's a long season, but I think we will find out what the Vulcans and this coaching are made of. Another tough game next weekend. Bloomsburg at California, 7:00 PM at Adamson Stadium.