Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:14:00 GMT No matter how many times you watch it, the 1986 Big Game between Cal and Stanford never gets old. Revisit the most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heart-rending, exciting, thrilling finish in the history of college football as screamed by the great Joe Starkey]]> Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:13:00 GMT If you think the Cal vs. Stanford rivalry ends with the players and coaches, think again. Take a trip back down memory lane some years ago when Oski went head-to-head with the Cardinal Tree at Maples. It was a battle for the ages and one that was won by the Sturdy Golden Bear.]]> Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:12:00 GMT NEW YORK -- For a team lauded for its defense, Syracuse sure did shoot the ball well. Excluding a quick 5-0 start, Cal struggled virtually the entire way, losing 95-73 Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. Jerome Randle led the Bears with 25 points and Jamal Boykin pitched in 14 points and 8 rebounds, but defensive struggles and turnovers plagued Cal in its quest for a victory at Madison Square Garden]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:43:00 GMT The Big Game has a long history of defying expectations. Whether it be the Bears unforgettable upsets in 1982 and 1986 or Stanford's returning of the favor in 1990, both sides have their examples to point to. However, the Big Game of late has not been full of upsets. The favored team has won 8 of the last 10 meetings. In fact, the favored team has covered the spread 7 of the last 10 meetings. Here's this week's statistical table:]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:57:00 GMT Just the fact that Cal will be playing in MSG is a notable headline. Add to that the opponent the Bears will be facing and there's no doubt this is a must-see game for Cal fans. The Bears come into the new week winners of two straight as they look to continue their early season momentum with one of their bigger non-conference contests the program has seen in years. No. 12 Cal (2-0) heads to New York City to tangle with traditional power No. 25 Syracuse 4 p.m. this afternoon in famed Madison Square Garden in the first of two scheduled games of the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament. The winner of this game will face the winner of the No. 4 North Carolina-No. 15 Ohio State contest Friday evening]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:30:00 GMT For the first time since injuring his neck and lower back area on a hard fall against Oregon State, Cal star running back Jahvid Best gave a timeline as to when he might return to the field. The key word in that sentence however, is might. The former Heisman Trophy candidate rejoined the Bears this week and even though he's not participating or putting on the pads yet by any means, his presence around the team is certainly uplifting for a Cal squad that is looking to keep The Axe as the team prepares to tangle with rival Stanford 4:30 p.m. Saturday evening on The Farm]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:48:00 GMT Eight years ago, with the Cal football program caught in embarrassing turmoil from top to bottom, a young man, age 41, who was still unknown around these parts, walked into Memorial Stadium and patiently waited to make his first official public statement. When introductions were finished, he made a beeline to the podium with stern authority, exhibiting a business-like manner that would later define his current persona to the loyal and battered fan base that has grown with him through both modern era successes and head banging frustrations. His words were concise. His statements were descriptive and yet right to the point. His message was clear. He was going to rejuvenate the football culture in Berkeley. Eight years later, as he prepares for his 100th game as head coach of the Cal football program, the evidence is strikingly clear. After years and years of obscurity, Cal football matters now, and the main reason why is Jeff Tedford]]> Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:42:00 GMT There are a number of ways to describe Jeff Tedford, especially on the recruiting trail. Without a doubt, he's one of the most likeable guys on the planet. The moment you meet him is the moment you root for him. Some people seemly have that undeniable likeability to them and "JT" is one of them. It isn't hard to notice the reaction from recruits too. You can talk to guys who go to Cal or opt to go to other schools, and the response is very similar. However, his impact on others is what defines him]]> Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:40:00 GMT On Sunday, November 4th, 2001, a day after losing 38-24 to an Arizona team that was until that day winless in Pac-10 play, just like the Bears, the Cal football program hit rock bottom. On that Sunday, it was clear that Cal would finish the season last place in the conference and perhaps winless overall]]> Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:38:00 GMT When a coach's tenure at one school extends beyond five seasons, there's usually a pretty good reason. That's certainly the case with Cal head coach Jeff Tedford. Here is a look back at Jeff Tedford's greatest wins at Cal:]]> Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:37:00 GMT As fans could probably imagine, there were a lot more smiles in the postgame press conference this week in comparison to the somber mood of seven days before. The Bears put themselves back on the winning track, both sides of the ball made plays when it counted and Shane Vereen had a career-high effort, among other notables. There were some issues that head coach Jeff Tedford wasn't happy about however, including kick-off coverage. Check out the additional quotes as we wrap up Cal's 24-16 victory over Arizona]]> Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:45:00 GMT But, as they had done the entire game however, the Cal defense, led by leading tackler Mike Mohamed, stopped Arizona when it counted. For all intents and purposes, the game was over. Shane Vereen had galloped into the end zone, giving the Bears a 24-16 lead. All that proceeded was a status quo extra point that has been practiced and performed time and time again.]]> Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:14:00 GMT In a season where both sides of the ball have been marked by bouts of inconsistency, the Bears came up big when it counted the most Saturday evening against Arizona. Specifically in regards to the offensive side of the ball, Cal rallied without its "Best" player and still made it count down the stretch. When someone needed to make a big catch, it happened. When someone needed to make a big block, it happened. When someone needed to make a big run, it happened. All of which eventually resulted in a sloppy but satisfying win nonetheless]]> Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:06:00 GMT There were several worthy notes after Cal's victory over Arizona Saturday evening at Memorial Stadium. Among them were Shane Vereen's career day, Marvin Jones' career high a notable sack-fest against an almost impenetrable Arizona offensive line.]]> Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:32:00 GMT For the first time since his scary fall last week, junior running back Jahvid Best talked publicly about the incident. In a pregame interview with Versus network, Best - who was an honorary captain during the pregame coin toss - updated his health status, thanked his supporters and gave an update as to when exactly he might be back on the field]]> Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:44:00 GMT BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) -- Shane Vereen scored on a 61-yard run after an odd penalty thwarted a potential go-ahead drive for No. 18 Arizona and California went on to a 24-16 victory Saturday without star running back Jahvid Best]]> Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:25:00 GMT The Bears goal to finish out the season on a 7-game win streak and 10-2 overall, fell from the air not long after Jahvid Best's terrifying injury captured the nation's attention last Saturday. Just as terrifying is the reality that Oregon State might just be the weakest of the 3 opponents Cal has before their end of season trip to Washington. Or were they? Here's this week's statistical match up to provide further clarity:]]> Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:26:00 GMT With star running back Jahvid Best out for the foreseeable future, the Cal offense will now rely on redshirt sophomore Shane Vereen to carry the majority of the load on the ground. Even though he's still relatively young, Vereen has notched plenty of experience throughout his two seasons so far, which includes his lone start of his career last year against Arizona State. While Best is the headliner, the team has expressed a lot of confidence that Vereen can get the job done as well]]> Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:57:00 GMT After hearing grumblings for weeks that a deal could get done here, BearTerritory senior writer A.W. Prince has confirmed that Cal and Nevada have signed an agreement to play next season in Reno. The contest will take place Sept. 18 on the Nevada campus. In turn, the Wolfpack -- who are in the midst of a very good season up there -- will come to Berkeley twice in future years]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:57:00 GMT