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The battle in Strawberry Canyon did not disappoint as the UCLA Bruins and California Golden Bears put on a show Saturday afternoon with the Bruins prevailing 36-34.

The Bruins came into the game on a two-game losing streak and did not look anywhere near the team that many thought would contend for the PAC 12 title.  Cal came into the contest after suffering a horrible loss at home to the Washington Huskies, and was looking for a quality win to get one step closer to becoming bowl eligible for the first time in the Sonny Dykes era.

The action was fast and furious from the opening whistle.  Cal and UCLA both had strong performances from their star players, and the action went full tilt until the final whistle.  There were big plays made from both squads, however the biggest had to be the tremendous interception made by UCLA Cornerback Marcus Rios that picked off a late pass from Cal QB Jared Goff and sealed the victory for the Bruins.

Here is the Good, Bad, and Ugly from the matchup:

Good

UCLA Offensive/Defensive Line – For the past few weeks, UCLA has allowed their opponents to just dominate along the line of scrimmage as the Offensive Line has been suspect, and the Defensive Line has been erratic.  Both units stepped up their game on Saturday, and was the chief reason for the success of the Bruins.  The Offensive Line kept Hundley upright all game and allowed the offense to generate 567 total yards from scrimmage.  The Defensive Line also was able to get fantastic pressure on California, and kept the Golden Bears high-flying offense off key for most of the game. The Bruins will need these two units to keep playing at this level if they are to have any success for the rest of this season.

Paul Perkins – UCLA Running Back Paul Perkins has become a fantastic story for the Bruins this season.  Perkins was a one-man wrecking crew for the Bruins as he led the UCLA offensive attack with over 151 yards from scrimmage, including a late 49-yard scamper to the end zone that swung the momentum into the favor of the Bruins.  Perkins has played extremely well this season, and looks to be a force for the Bruins for the next few years.

Jared Goff – The California Golden Bears have found their man to lead their offensive attack with Sophomore Jared Goff.  The young Quarterback has dramatically improved from his rusty freshman season, and is developing into a top-tier Quarterback.  Goff was under constant duress throughout the game on Saturday, but his mobility and great touch kept the Bears in the game.  Goff threw for 303 yards, and two touchdowns on Saturday afternoon.

Bad

Cal’s Offensive Line – For several years, Cal has prided itself in producing some of the most talented Offensive Lines in PAC 12 history.  That is not the case this season.  Cal could not protect Quarterback Jared Goff at all in the game against the Bruins, and committed several infractions that cost serious yardage.  Cal needs to shore this unit up quickly, or the Bears will waste their early great record, and not qualify for a bowl game.

UCLA Turnovers – UCLA could not stop shooting themselves in the foot with three turnovers that turned into touchdowns for the Golden Bears.  UCLA could not seem to hold onto the ball, and any momentum that the Bruins would build, instantly would be erased.  The standard key to victory is always to limit turnovers, and hold onto the ball. 

Ugly

Cal Coaching Decisions – Cal Head Coach Sonny Dykes has been criticized heavily all season for his decisions late in games.  On Saturday, Dykes made a call that was highly questionable when all his team needed was a field goal and he had his Quarterback throw a deep bomb trying to score a touchdown.  UCLA read the play and UCLA Cornerback Marcus Rios made a highlight reel interception that sealed the victory for the Bruins.  This play was one of many questionable decisions, including having to burn several timeouts due to improper alignments that cost the Bears at the end of the game.  Dykes has always been known to be a bit of a gambler with his calls, but lately, these gambles are not paying off for the Bears. 

The battle in Strawberry Canyon did not disappoint as the UCLA Bruins and California Golden Bears put on a show Saturday afternoon with the Bruins prevailing 36-34.

The Bruins came into the game on a two-game losing streak and did not look anywhere near the team that many thought would contend for the PAC 12 title.  Cal came into the contest after suffering a horrible loss at home to the Washington Huskies, and was looking for a quality win to get one step closer to becoming bowl eligible for the first time in the Sonny Dykes era.

The action was fast and furious from the opening whistle.  Cal and UCLA both had strong performances from their star players, and the action went full tilt until the final whistle.  There were big plays made from both squads, however the biggest had to be the tremendous interception made by UCLA Cornerback Marcus Rios that picked off a late pass from Cal QB Jared Goff and sealed the victory for the Bruins.

Here is the Good, Bad, and Ugly from the matchup:

Good

UCLA Offensive/Defensive Line – For the past few weeks, UCLA has allowed their opponents to just dominate along the line of scrimmage as the Offensive Line has been suspect, and the Defensive Line has been erratic.  Both units stepped up their game on Saturday, and was the chief reason for the success of the Bruins.  The Offensive Line kept Hundley upright all game and allowed the offense to generate 567 total yards from scrimmage.  The Defensive Line also was able to get fantastic pressure on California, and kept the Golden Bears high-flying offense off key for most of the game. The Bruins will need these two units to keep playing at this level if they are to have any success for the rest of this season.

Paul Perkins – UCLA Running Back Paul Perkins has become a fantastic story for the Bruins this season.  Perkins was a one-man wrecking crew for the Bruins as he led the UCLA offensive attack with over 151 yards from scrimmage, including a late 49-yard scamper to the end zone that swung the momentum into the favor of the Bruins.  Perkins has played extremely well this season, and looks to be a force for the Bruins for the next few years.

Jared Goff – The California Golden Bears have found their man to lead their offensive attack with Sophomore Jared Goff.  The young Quarterback has dramatically improved from his rusty freshman season, and is developing into a top-tier Quarterback.  Goff was under constant duress throughout the game on Saturday, but his mobility and great touch kept the Bears in the game.  Goff threw for 303 yards, and two touchdowns on Saturday afternoon.

Bad

Cal’s Offensive Line – For several years, Cal has prided itself in producing some of the most talented Offensive Lines in PAC 12 history.  That is not the case this season.  Cal could not protect Quarterback Jared Goff at all in the game against the Bruins, and committed several infractions that cost serious yardage.  Cal needs to shore this unit up quickly, or the Bears will waste their early great record, and not qualify for a bowl game.

UCLA Turnovers – UCLA could not stop shooting themselves in the foot with three turnovers that turned into touchdowns for the Golden Bears.  UCLA could not seem to hold onto the ball, and any momentum that the Bruins would build, instantly would be erased.  The standard key to victory is always to limit turnovers, and hold onto the ball. 

Ugly

Cal Coaching Decisions – Cal Head Coach Sonny Dykes has been criticized heavily all season for his decisions late in games.  On Saturday, Dykes made a call that was highly questionable when all his team needed was a field goal and he had his Quarterback throw a deep bomb trying to score a touchdown.  UCLA read the play and UCLA Cornerback Marcus Rios made a highlight reel interception that sealed the victory for the Bruins.  This play was one of many questionable decisions, including having to burn several timeouts due to improper alignments that cost the Bears at the end of the game.  Dykes has always been known to be a bit of a gambler with his calls, but lately, these gambles are not paying off for the Bears. 

The battle in Strawberry Canyon did not disappoint as the UCLA Bruins and California Golden Bears put on a show Saturday afternoon with the Bruins prevailing 36-34.

The Bruins came into the game on a two-game losing streak and did not look anywhere near the team that many thought would contend for the PAC 12 title.  Cal came into the contest after suffering a horrible loss at home to the Washington Huskies, and was looking for a quality win to get one step closer to becoming bowl eligible for the first time in the Sonny Dykes era.

The action was fast and furious from the opening whistle.  Cal and UCLA both had strong performances from their star players, and the action went full tilt until the final whistle.  There were big plays made from both squads, however the biggest had to be the tremendous interception made by UCLA Cornerback Marcus Rios that picked off a late pass from Cal QB Jared Goff and sealed the victory for the Bruins.

Here is the Good, Bad, and Ugly from the matchup:

Good

UCLA Offensive/Defensive Line – For the past few weeks, UCLA has allowed their opponents to just dominate along the line of scrimmage as the Offensive Line has been suspect, and the Defensive Line has been erratic.  Both units stepped up their game on Saturday, and was the chief reason for the success of the Bruins.  The Offensive Line kept Hundley upright all game and allowed the offense to generate 567 total yards from scrimmage.  The Defensive Line also was able to get fantastic pressure on California, and kept the Golden Bears high-flying offense off key for most of the game. The Bruins will need these two units to keep playing at this level if they are to have any success for the rest of this season.

Paul Perkins – UCLA Running Back Paul Perkins has become a fantastic story for the Bruins this season.  Perkins was a one-man wrecking crew for the Bruins as he led the UCLA offensive attack with over 151 yards from scrimmage, including a late 49-yard scamper to the end zone that swung the momentum into the favor of the Bruins.  Perkins has played extremely well this season, and looks to be a force for the Bruins for the next few years.

Jared Goff – The California Golden Bears have found their man to lead their offensive attack with Sophomore Jared Goff.  The young Quarterback has dramatically improved from his rusty freshman season, and is developing into a top-tier Quarterback.  Goff was under constant duress throughout the game on Saturday, but his mobility and great touch kept the Bears in the game.  Goff threw for 303 yards, and two touchdowns on Saturday afternoon.

Bad

Cal’s Offensive Line – For several years, Cal has prided itself in producing some of the most talented Offensive Lines in PAC 12 history.  That is not the case this season.  Cal could not protect Quarterback Jared Goff at all in the game against the Bruins, and committed several infractions that cost serious yardage.  Cal needs to shore this unit up quickly, or the Bears will waste their early great record, and not qualify for a bowl game.

UCLA Turnovers – UCLA could not stop shooting themselves in the foot with three turnovers that turned into touchdowns for the Golden Bears.  UCLA could not seem to hold onto the ball, and any momentum that the Bruins would build, instantly would be erased.  The standard key to victory is always to limit turnovers, and hold onto the ball. 

Ugly

Cal Coaching Decisions – Cal Head Coach Sonny Dykes has been criticized heavily all season for his decisions late in games.  On Saturday, Dykes made a call that was highly questionable when all his team needed was a field goal and he had his Quarterback throw a deep bomb trying to score a touchdown.  UCLA read the play and UCLA Cornerback Marcus Rios made a highlight reel interception that sealed the victory for the Bruins.  This play was one of many questionable decisions, including having to burn several timeouts due to improper alignments that cost the Bears at the end of the game.  Dykes has always been known to be a bit of a gambler with his calls, but lately, these gambles are not paying off for the Bears. 

This weekend at Kabam field in Berkeley, we will see a battle of the “Sons of California” as the UCLA Bruins faceoff against the California Golden Bears.

UCLA and Cal are both coming off of devastating home losses and are looking to get back on the winning track. 

UCLA has lost the past two weeks, and has dropped out of the top 25 due to their recent poor play.  Cal has been a surprise this season, and looked to be taking the next step towards a possible bowl berth until they were derailed last weekend against a fiery Washington Huskies squad.  

Both teams are in need of a strong performance if they are to have any chance at a bowl berth this season. 

Here are four things to watch for on Saturday:

Who will stand out, Jared Goff or Brett Hundley?  Cal Sophomore Quarterback Jared Goff has been a pleasant surprise for Bears fans this season as he has progressed leaps and bounds over his freshman year performances and has led this young Cal squad to an early 4-2 record.  Goff leads the Bears with his strong arm and mobility, to having one of the top offensive systems in the PAC 12.  Goff will be challenged this weekend by the strong UCLA defensive secondary, and will need to be smart with his passing.  UCLA Quarterback Brett Hundley was an early season Heisman Watch candidate, but due to injuries and uneven play, he has dropped off the map.  Hundley is a solid professional prospect, but now there are doubts about his leadership and ability to stay healthy.  There is no doubt that Hundley is extremely athletic and talented as a dual threat Quarterback, but he is need of a strong performance against the Bears to get back into the national viewpoint. 

Can Cal stop anyone on defense?  Cal has been highly effective on the offensive side of the ball, but they have had to play “backyard rules” games because their defense cannot stop anyone right now.  Cal has talent on the defensive side, but they have not been able to put a complete game together all season.  UCLA has the weapons to make it a long day for the Bears, and if the Bears are unable to stop Hundley, there will be a large number put up on the board by the explosive Bruins offense.

Will the Bruins strong linebackers be a factor?  The Bruins have arguably two of the most talented linebackers in college football with Sophomore Myles Jack and Senior Eric Kendricks.  However, due to the Cal offensive style with the “Air Raid” offense, this may neutralize these two talented linebackers and keep them on the sidelines.  Jack and Kendricks have great speed, but the Golden Bears run offensive sets with four receivers on the field most of the time.  This may land the two linebackers on the sidelines, and may give a slight edge to California.  The Bruins and Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will have to figure out a way to involve his defensive standouts. 

Who will be the difference makers?  UCLA has one of the most dynamic Running Backs in all of college football with Sophomore Paul Perkins.  The young back has been solid all season for the Bruins, and has carried the Bruins to victory on several occasions.  Perkins is getting better by the week and look for him to have an outstanding week against Cal’s young defense.  The difference maker for Cal could be Junior Bryce Treggs who has been an outstanding piece of the Bears offensive explosion.  Treggs is a legacy for Cal as his father was a standout in the early 90’s, and he has taken on a role similar to his father as a leader on the offensive side of the ball.  Treggs has great speed, and tremendous hands around the ball.  Treggs will be featured throughout the game.