2017 California Golden Bears football team
American college football season
The 2017 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The Bears were led by first-year head coach Justin Wilcox and played their home games at California Memorial Stadium . The Bears went 5–7, including non-conference wins over North Carolina and Ole Miss , and three losses by three points or fewer.[ 1] Washington State , which marked the first time Cal had beaten a top ten opponent since its defeat of No. 3 USC in 2003 .[ 2]
Recruiting
Position key
Recruits
The Golden Bears signed a total of 14 recruits.
College recruiting information (2017)
Name
Hometown
High school / college
Height
Weight
Commit date
Gabriel Cherry DE
Bakersfield, California
Centennial HS
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
265 lb (120 kg)
Feb 13, 2016
Star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Taariq Johnson WR
Buena Park, California
Buena Park HS
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
213 lb (97 kg)
Apr 3, 2016
Star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Jeremiah Hawkins WR
Buena Park, California
Buena Park HS
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
May 6, 2016
Star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Chase Garbers QB
Newport Beach, California
Corona del Mar HS
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
Jun 26, 2016
Star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Alex Funches DE
Denton, Texas
Trinity Valley Community College
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
Jul 6, 2016
Star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Biaggo Ali Walsh RB
Las Vegas, Nevada
Bishop Gorman HS
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
186 lb (84 kg)
Aug 14, 2016
Star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Michael Saffell C
Huntington Beach, California
Edison HS
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
293 lb (133 kg)
Oct 5, 2016
Star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Elijah Hicks CB
La Mirada, California
La Mirada HS
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
Jan 10, 2017
Star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Poutasi Poutasi OG
Las Vegas, Nevada
Desert Pines HS
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
280 lb (130 kg)
Jan 28, 2017
Star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Daniel Scott S
La Cañada Flintridge, California
St. Francis HS
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
Jan 29, 2017
Star ratings :Scout :Rivals : N/A 247Sports :ESPN : N/A
Kyle Harmon LB
Oakley, California
Freedom HS
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
218 lb (99 kg)
Jan 29, 2017
Star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN : N/A
Gavin Reinwald WR
Elk Grove, California
Elk Grove HS
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
Jan 29, 2017
Star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN : N/A
Branden Smith CB
Lancaster, California
Paraclete HS
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
Feb 1, 2017
Star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Ben Moos TE
Pullman, Washington
Pullman HS
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
240 lb (110 kg)
Feb 1, 2017
Star ratings :Scout :Rivals :247Sports :ESPN :
Overall recruiting rankings:
Note : In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources:
Personnel
Coaching staff
Roster
2017 California Golden Bears Football
Quarterback
Running back
4 Zion Echols –
5 Tre Watson – senior (5'11, 205)
22 Derrick Clark –
23 Vic Enwere – senior (6'0, 245)
26 Biaggo Ali Walsh – freshman (5'10, 190)
28 Patrick Laird –
30 Billy McCrary III – junior (5'11, 210)
34 Fabiano Hale – Wide receiver
1 Melquise Stovall – sophomore (5'9, 185)
2 Jordan Duncan – sophomore (6'1, 210)
6 Jeremiah Hawkins – freshman (5'8, 170)
8 Demetris Robertson – sophomore (6'0, 185)
9 Kanawai Noa –
13 Grayson Bankhead –
15 Jordan Veasy –
17 Vic Wharton III –
19 Brandon Singleton –
24 Matt Rockett –
31 Chas Peterson –
38 Alex Netherda –
88 Taariq Johnson – freshman (6'2, 220) Tight end
11 Raymond Hudson –
16 Collin Moore – freshman (6'4, 225)
80 Jake Ashton –
83 Ben Moos – freshman (6'4, 235)
84 Gavin Reinwald – freshman (6'3, 215)
87 Kyle Wells –
89 Matt Laris –
99 Malik McMorris – junior (5'11, 300) (+FB) Punter
37 Steven Coutts – junior (6'4, 210)
42 Dylan Klumph –
Offensive lineman
53 Michael Saffell – freshman (6'2, 295)
54 Gentle Williams –
57 Addison Ooms –
58 Semisi Uluave – junior (6'5, 345)
60 Daniel Juarez – freshman (6'5, 290)
61 Valentino Daltoso –
65 Tanner Prenovost –
70 Poutasi Poutasi – freshman (6'4, 305)
71 Jake Curhan –
72 Kamryn Bennett –
74 Ryan Gibson –
76 Henry Bazakas –
77 J.D. Hinnant –
79 Patrick Mekari – junior (6'4, 300) Defensive end
9 James Looney –
44 Zeandae Johnson –
90 Rusty Becker –
91 Chinedu Udeogu –
92 Gabe Cherry – freshman (6'5, 260)
96 Tevin Paul – Nose guard
50 Hunter Abel –
93 Luc Bequette –
97 Tony Mekari –
98 Chris Palmer – Outside Linebacker
13 Russell Ude –
19 Cameron Goode –
33 Noah Westerfield – senior (6'3, 250)
36 Alex Funches – junior (6'2, 230)
46 Drew Bryant –
51 Cameron Saffle – junior (6'3, 250)
89 Evan Weaver – sophomore (6'3, 250)
94 Trevor Howard – Placekicker
9 Matt Anderson –
41 Gabe Siemieniec –
49 Matt Abramo –
Inside Linebacker
1 Devante Downs – senior (6'3, 245)
11 Hamilton Anoa'i – senior (6'2, 255)
31 Raymond Davison –
40 David Ortega Jr. –
41 Gerran Brown –
43 Kyle Harmon – freshman (6'1, 240) (+OLB)
55 Aisea Tongilava –
59 Jordan Kunaszyk – Cornerback
2 Darius Allensworth –
3 Elijah Hicks – freshman (5'11, 180)
8 Nygel Edmonds –
16 Chibuzo Nwokocha –
18 Marloshawn Franklin Jr. – senior (5'11, 190)
20 Joshua Drayden – sophomore (5'9, 185)
22 Traveon Beck – sophomore (5'9, 160)
24 Camryn Bynum –
27 Ashtyn Davis – Defensive back
10 Daniel Scott – freshman (6'2, 200)
45 Branden Smith – freshman (5'10, 170) Safety
4 Derron Brown –
5 Trey Turner – junior (6'1, 190)
6 Jaylinn Hawkins –
17 Luke Rubenzer – senior (5'11, 200)
21 Evan Rambo –
23 Malik Psalms –
28 Quentin Tartabull –
29 Bryce Turner –
32 Jacob Anderson –
34 De'Zhon Grace –
39 Ricky Walker III – Long snapper
45 Grant Gluhaich –
46 Garrett Frum – senior (6'1, 230)
47 Alonso Vera – junior (5'11, 225) Fullback
40 Justin Norbeck –
Source and player details: [1]
Schedule
Date Time Opponent Site TV Result Attendance September 2 9:20 a.m. at North Carolina * ACCN W 35–3049,500 September 9 2:00 p.m. No. 25 (FCS ) Weber State * P12N W 33–2036,209 September 16 7:30 p.m. Ole Miss * California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA ESPN W 27–1637,125 September 23 12:30 p.m. No. 5 USC California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA (Joe Roth Memorial Game) ABC L 20–3046,747 September 30 7:30 p.m. at Oregon FS1 L 24–4555,707 October 7 7:45 p.m. at No. 6 Washington ESPN L 7–3867,429 7:30 p.m. No. 8 Washington State California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA ESPN W 37–326,244 October 21 4:00 p.m. Arizona California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA P12N L 44–45 2OT 37,525 October 28 11:00 a.m. at Colorado P12N L 28–4447,216 November 4 2:00 p.m. Oregon State California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA P12N W 37–2335,440 November 18 5:00 p.m. at No. 20 Stanford FOX L 14–1751,424 7:30 p.m. at UCLA FS1 L 27–3050,287 *Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Pacific time
[ 4]
Game summaries
at North Carolina
Total
Golden Bears
7
7
7
14
35
Tar Heels
7
10
7
6
30
Weber State
Total
No. 25 (FCS) Wildcats
10
10
0
0
20
Golden Bears
7
10
0
16
33
Ole Miss
Total
Rebels
10
6
0
0
16
Golden Bears
7
0
10
10
27
USC
Total
No. 5 Trojans
3
10
0
17
30
Golden Bears
3
10
0
7
20
at Oregon
Total
Golden Bears
0
7
7
10
24
Ducks
17
0
7
21
45
at Washington
Total
Golden Bears
0
0
7
0
7
No. 6 Huskies
7
17
7
7
38
Washington State
Total
No. 8 Cougars
0
3
0
0
3
Golden Bears
10
7
3
17
37
The game marked Cal's first win against a top ten opponent since 2003 .[ 5]
The three points allowed by the Bears defense are the fewest since holding UC Davis to three points in 2010 .
In the fourth quarter, quarterback Ross Bowers executed a flip into the end zone to put the Bears up 27-3.[ 6]
Arizona
Total
Wildcats
14
7
7
3 7 7
45
Golden Bears
7
0
14
10 7 6
44
at Colorado
Total
Golden Bears
7
7
0
14
28
Buffaloes
14
13
0
17
44
Oregon State
Total
Beavers
7
6
7
3
23
Golden Bears
14
6
10
7
37
The game was the sixth time in program history that Cal had zero punts in a game. It was the first time that Cal had zero punts in a game since playing USC in 2004 .[ 7]
Matt Anderson broke the Cal record for career scoring, reaching 297 points after kicking three field goals and four extra points in the game. He broke the previous record of 288 points held by Doug Brien since 1993 . Anderson would finish the season with an all-time record of 316 points.
Patrick Laird 's 214 yards rushing ranks tenth in program history for rushing yards in a single game.
at Stanford
Total
Golden Bears
3
3
8
0
14
No. 22 Cardinal
3
7
7
0
17
at UCLA
Total
Golden Bears
3
6
8
10
27
Bruins
7
10
7
6
30
Matt Anderson broke the Cal record for career field goals, reaching 60 after kicking four field goals in the game. He broke the previous record of 56 field goals held by Doug Brien since 1993.[ 8]
Ross Bowers reached 3,000 passing yards for the season and became the seventh player in Cal history to reach the milestone.
Patrick Laird reached 1,000 rushing yards for the season and became the sixteenth player in Cal history to reach the milestone.
Awards and honors
Coaches
Athlon Sports ' National Defensive Coordinator of the Week, vs. Washington State[ 9]
Offense
Manning Award Stars of the Week, vs. North Carolina[ 10] Burlsworth Trophy semifinalist[ 11] First-team Pac-12 All-Academic[ 12]
All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention[ 13]
CoSIDA Academic All-District Team[ 14] SB Nation Piesman Trophy finalist[ 15] Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award watchlist[ 16] Biletnikoff Award watchlist[ 17] Second-team Pac-12 All-Academic[ 12] All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention[ 13] Second-team Pac-12 All-Academic[ 12]
Defense
All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention[ 13] Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist[ 18] Lott IMPACT Trophy watchlist[ 18] All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention[ 13]
Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, at North Carolina[ 18]
Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week(2), vs. Ole Miss[ 18]
College Sports Madness National Defensive Player of the Week, vs. Ole Miss[ 19]
College Sports Madness Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, vs. Ole Miss[ 19] Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, vs. Washington State[ 20]
Rose Bowl: Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, vs. Washington State[ 20]
Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week, vs. Washington State[ 20]
College Sports Madness Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, vs. Washington State[ 20] First-team Pac-12 All-Academic[ 12]
Special teams
Pac-12 Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year[ 21] Campbell Trophy semifinalist [ 22] Lou Groza Award pre-season watchlist[ 22] Senior CLASS Award candidate[ 22] Second-team Pac-12 All-Academic[ 12]
CoSIDA Academic All-District Team[ 14]
References
^ Wild, Andrew (November 30, 2017). "Cal football had severe highs, lows in Justin Wilcox's 1st year" . The Daily Californian . ^ "Cal flips out over signature win against No. 8 Washington State – SFGate" . October 26, 2017. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved December 23, 2017 .^ "2017 Football Coaching Staff" . CalBears.com .^ "2017 Cal Football Schedule Announced" . CalBears.com . January 18, 2017.^ "Cal-WSU Postgame Notes" . CalBears.com .^ Grossman, Connor (October 14, 2017). "WATCH: Cal QB Ross Bowers Nearly Lands Front Flip While Scoring Touchdown Against No. 8 Washington State" . SI.com . Retrieved December 29, 2024 . ^ "Cal-Oregon State Postgame Notes" . CalBears.com .^ "Cal-UCLA Postgame Notes" . CalBears.com .^ "DeRuyter Selected Athlon's National DC of the Week" . CalBears.com . October 15, 2017.^ "Manning Award Stars of the Week, 2017" . Sugar Bowl the original on June 18, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2017 .^ "Burlsworth Trophy Announces Nominees" . BurlsworthTrophy.com . October 31, 2017. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017 .^ a b c d e "Laird and Rubenzer First-Team Pac-12 All-Academic" . CalBears.com . November 30, 2017.^ a b c d "Pac-12 Football All-Conference Team Announced" . Pac-12 ^ a b "Announcing 2017 CoSIDA Academic All-District® Football and Volleyball Teams" . CoSIDA ^ "McMorris on Final Piesman Trophy Ballot" . CalBears.com . November 27, 2017.^ "2017 Watch List for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award" . Polynesian Football Hall of Fame ^ "Wharton III added to Biletnikoff Award watch list" . CalBears.com . November 6, 2017.^ a b c d "Downs Added to Chuck Bednarik Award Watchlist" . CalBears.com . October 6, 2017.^ a b "Downs Named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week" . CalBears.com . September 18, 2017.^ a b c d "Kunaszyk named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week" . CalBears.com . October 16, 2017.^ "Pac-12 Announces Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year" . Pac-12 the original on December 1, 2017.^ a b c "Matt Anderson Candidate for Senior CLASS Award" . CalBears.com . October 5, 2017.
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