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San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Justin Wilcox still frustrated by Cal football's close losses: ‘Those are difficult'
In putting together a 6-7 record for the second consecutive season last year, Cal went 2-5 in games decided by one score. The Bears endured one particularly painful stretch in which they lost four straight games by a combined nine points. On Tuesday, when a reporter at the ACC Football Kickoff event in Charlotte, N.C., asked Cal head coach Justin Wilcox about the Bears' struggles in tight games in 2024 and how they plan to remedy that issue in '25, Wilcox had a ready response. 'You didn't need to remind me, but I know the stat, yeah,' said Wilcox, who's entering his ninth season leading the Bears. 'Those are difficult, frustrating losses. We had plenty of opportunities to win those games. 'I wish it was as simple as, well, we need to do this one drill or address this one position or fix this one problem. It's not that simple.' Wilcox then listed several components, from coaching and schematics to class schedules and admissions to 'support from every level of our institution. … I could name 50 things that can help us.' The Bears will need help from either new players or ones who haven't had major roles in their time at Cal. From last season, the Bears lost their starting quarterback (Fernando Mendoza, transferred to Indiana), top two running backs (Jaivian Thomas, transferred to UCLA; Jaydn Ott, transferred to Oklahoma), top wide receiver Nyziah Hunter (transferred to Nebraska), top tight end (Jack Endries, transferred to Texas), top tackler (Teddye Buchanan, fourth-round pick by Baltimore) and top interceptor (Nohl Williams, third-round pick by Kansas City). One man expected to provide a lot of help to Wilcox and the entire team is Ron Rivera, the former Cal and Chicago Bears linebacker and longtime NFL head coach who was named the football program's general manager in March. Wilcox said he and Rivera 'get to talk about anything and everything that has to do with Cal football. … He's a Cal Bear through and through, and he will tell you that. He will carry that flag.' Who will carry the flag as Cal's starting quarterback for its opener at Oregon State on Aug. 30 remains uncertain. The competition centers on Devin Brown, who spent the past three seasons as a backup at Ohio State, and heralded freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, the left-hander from Hawaii who committed to Cal but signed with Oregon, then quickly transferred from Eugene to Berkeley. Redshirt freshman EJ Caminong is also in the mix, Wilcox said, but the fact that Cal brought Brown and Sagapolutele to Charlotte would lead you to believe they're the top two candidates. 'The history of the quarterback position at Cal is long with Aaron Rodgers and Jared Goff,' Brown said. 'The list goes on and on.' Brown then went on about making the transition from the Buckeyes to the Bears. 'The biggest thing was building relationships on and off the field,' Brown said. 'The O-line had to be able to trust that they could be my friend off the field. They're not going to want to block for somebody that they don't like, right?' This will be the third straight year in which the Bears begin preseason camp with their starting QB uncertain. In 2023, Sam Jackson V and Ben Finley were the top candidates. They alternated as starters for the first five games before Mendoza took the job. Last year, Mendoza held off Chandler Rogers to remain QB1. 'We feel like this team at each position is probably as competitive or more competitive than any team we've had in our tenure there, so that's a good thing,' Wilcox said. 'The goal is to bring in as many good players as we possibly can who fit us, who fit Cal, and let the competition sort the depth chart out.' Briefly: Cal also brought defensive lineman Aidan Keanaaina and linebacker Cade Uluave to Charlotte. In an interview on the ACC Network, Wilcox hinted that Uluave might get playing time beyond his duties on defense. Uluave was both a linebacker and running back at Mountain Ridge High in Utah and he returned four kickoffs. … Brown wore No. 33, not the typical quarterback number, at OSU as a tribute to Pro Football Hall of Fame QB Sammy Baugh. Brown is wearing No. 13 at Cal as running back Dean-Taylor Chapman has No. 33. Brown jokingly said that Chapman 'is being a little stingy, but I wanted (No. 33), so we'll see what happens.'
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
ACC Media Days: Carson Beck Explains Why He Left Georgia For Miami
Carson Beck didn't leave Georgia because of drama. He left because he felt it was simply at ACC Football Kickoff on Tuesday, the new Miami quarterback gave his most direct answer yet about why he transferred out of Athens after two seasons leading one of college football's most dominant programs. "Everything has a shelf life, and I think the shelf life there [at Georgia] was over, and it was just time to start something new, to get into a new program, to start a new chapter of my life, my career," Beck told guiding Georgia to a national title appearance in 2023 and posting strong numbers in 2024, Beck had no shortage of options. But he said his choice came down to football fit - and future opportunity. "I think the biggest thing for me, obviously, was the offensive fit," Beck said. "As a quarterback, the OC, the scheme, the talent and guys that you're going to have around you is huge to the success and ultimately, the future not just as a quarterback, but of me. This is my future and I think this decision is one of the better decisions I've made." Beck's production speaks for itself. In 2023, he completed 72.4% of his passes for 3,941 yards, 24 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. His 2024 season was more of a rollercoaster - 64.7% completion, 3,485 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 12 picks - but still good enough to make him one of the top signal-callers on the he'll try to elevate the Hurricanes and reshape his legacy - starting in Week 1 against Notre Dame. Related: Carson Beck Brushes Off Pressure of Following Cam Ward at Miami Related: 5 Must-Watch College Football Games in August 2025 © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Carson Beck Brushes Off Pressure of Following Cam Ward at Miami
Carson Beck has been here before - stepping into the spotlight, following big shoes, and answering big at Miami, Beck was asked at ACC Football Kickoff on Tuesday whether he feels any pressure taking over after Cam Ward, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft and left behind a season full of highlights and answer was calm and direct."No, not really. Obviously his success is undeniable. Obviously I don't really know him very well. I've been able to meet him a couple times, but obviously very -- I don't want to say proud. I don't know the kid. But what he was able to do is undeniable." Beck isn't downplaying Ward's impact. But he also isn't making it bigger than it needs to be - because he's done this before."The last school I was at I followed up the two-time national champion, so I didn't really feel any pressure there. It's a game; I've played football my whole life. I've played quarterback since I was seven years old, and it's something that I love to do and I've got a lot of good talent around me and really good coaches in position to not only help me not only achieve my goals, but be really successful."That kind of perspective is why Miami brought him in. After leading Georgia to a College Football Playoff berth last year, Beck transferred to the Hurricanes for a fresh start - and a chance to elevate a team coming off a strong 2024 season."Again, really just looking forward to the opportunity, and again, have the opportunity to go out and play football again. I haven't done it in a while, so looking forward to it."He sounds ready. Miami fans are hoping that feeling carries into the fall. Related: 2025 Miami Football Schedule: Best & Worst Scenarios, Season Prediction Related: 5 Underrated College Football Transfers Who Could Shine in 2025 © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Quarterback Carson Beck is ‘full go' as Miami Hurricanes prepare for pivotal season
Shortly after Carson Beck made his intentions known in December that he was transferring from Georgia to Miami, offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa sent his new quarterback a text. 'I texted him that I'm very, very grateful to be able to work with him,' Mauigoa said Tuesday on the Joe Rose Show from Charlotte as part of the 2025 ACC Football Kickoff, 'and I'm not gonna let anybody touch him.' Beck and the Hurricanes certainly hope that statement holds true. When the season begins on Aug. 31 with a marquee home matchup against Notre Dame, Beck will make his long-awaited Hurricanes debut. He was limited in spring workouts while recovering from surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow sustained during the SEC Championship Game with Georgia. But now that he's 100 percent — coach Mario Cristobal on Tuesday said Beck has 'been full go and completely cleared and has participated fully' beginning about two weeks after the team wrapped up spring ball — Beck now has the opportunity to show what he can provide to the Hurricanes. That starts Aug. 31 when the team begins fall practices. 'I'm really excited,' Beck said Tuesday on the Joe Rose Show, adding that he has felt 100 percent 'for a while now.' 'Obviously, the work that we've been able to put in over the summer since I've been able to start throwing again has been really good. I think the thing that I'm most excited about is the mindset and mentality of each one of these guys. ... Their mentality that they've come in with and their ability to learn and adapt very fast and on the fly is very impressive and I'm very excited to continue to work with them as the season goes on and as we go into fall camp, I think it'll be a really pivotal moment for us as we start to head into our first game.' Miami will be leaning on Beck to keep the team in the College Football Playoff conversation. UM came close last year, starting the season 9-0 before dropping two of their final three regular-season games — at Georgia Tech and at Syracuse — to finish on the outside looking in of both the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game and the 12-team playoff field and ultimately going 10-3 after a loss to Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. They excelled on offense last year with Cam Ward leading the offense on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy and eventually being selected No. 1 overall by the Tennessee Titans in the NFL Draft. And now, they're hoping Beck can provide a quality encore act. 'Carson Beck has done an outstanding job since the moment he arrived at Miami,' Cristobal said, describing Beck as 'Extremely intelligent, [a] tremendous competitor [with a] super high football IQ, accurate arm, strong legs [and is a] strong runner.' 'Great human being, man,' Cristobal added, 'and we feel like we're getting the best version of Carson Beck.' The best version of Carson Beck is arguably what he was in 2023 at Georgia. That year, he completed 72 percent of his passes for 3,941 yards and 24 touchdowns against six interceptions and it had him in the conversation to be a first-round pick heading into 2024. He took a step back in 2024. In 13 games, he completed 65 percent of his passes for 3,485 yards and 28 touchdowns but also threw 12 interceptions — tied for the most among quarterbacks at Power 4 schools this season — before sustaining his elbow injury in the second half of the SEC Championship Game. Beck knows there's outside noise about what he might be able to do for the Hurricanes. While he acknowledged 'everybody's entitled to an opinion,' Beck isn't focusing on that. 'At the end of the day all I really can do is just go in work every single day, try to get better with not only myself, but with my teammates,' Beck said. 'Start building those relationships and continue to try to lead this team as a new player. But as we go into fall. I'm really excited to just get in there with the guys start competing and then ultimately have a great season.' Added Cristobal: 'Here's a guy that's really motivated, that's won a ton of games and let's call it what it is: Last year at this time, Carson Beck was a projected No. 1 quarterback in the draft, and Cam Ward was the fifth round projection. A lot of things could happen, and they only happen if you focus on doing the things you need to do to be successful and impacting those around you. Carson is 100 percent focused on making Miami better.' While Beck provides stability at quarterback, the Hurricanes still have to replace a lot of talent from its offense that led the country last season in scoring (43.9 points per game), yards per game (537.2), yards per play (7.57) and third-down success rate (56.25 percent). Gone are their top five pass-catchers from last season in wide receivers Xavier Restrepo, Jacolby George, Isaiah Horton and Sam Brown along with tight end Elijah Arroyo. Those five accounted for 3,594 of Miami's 4,527 receiving yards last season — 79.4 percent — and 33 of 41 touchdown catches. Replacing them are a slew of younger players looking to take a leap (namely returning receivers Joshisa Trader, Ny Carr and Ray Ray Joseph, plus freshmen Malachi Toney and Joshua Moore along with tight end Elija Lofton) and incoming transfers (notably CJ Daniels, Tony Johnson and Keelan Marion). So far in player-led workouts, Beck likes what he sees. 'There's so much talent with the coaches and the players just all around the board,' Beck said. 'From what I've been able to pick up, these dudes just go to work, and it's been very exciting to be accepted into the culture in Miami. And not only that, but really build relationships and get around these guys more and more this offseason. The coaches are gone in July most of the time and we have a lot of player-led practices and things of that sort. So being able to just spend more time around the guys and then ultimately build those relationships is something that I'm really excited about, but there's talent all across the board that I'm really excited to play with.'
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Greg Cote's Hot Button Top 10: Dolphins open camp, Marlins & Messi stay hot & more
Note: Hot Button Top 10 and the Poll Dance will be off next Sunday on vacation. Both will return on Sunday, August 3. GREG COTE'S HOT BUTTON TOP 10 (JULY 20): WHAT IN SPORTS HAS GRABBED US THIS WEEK: Our Sunday Hot Button Top 10 notes column brings you what's on our minds, locally and nationally but from a Miami perspective and accentuating stuff that's big, weird, damnable, funny or otherwise worth needling as the sports week just past pivots to the week ahead. Welcome to the 111th edition of your HB10: 1. DOLPHINS: High-pressure season unfurls as training camp begins: The temperature around coach Mike McDaniel is rising as he begins his fourth season, after an 8-9 record last year and a betting over/under of only 7 1/2 wins in '25 as the full squad reports for camp on Tuesday. (First open-to-the-public practice is next Saturday.) Purely speculative at this point, but I predict Miami must make the playoffs -- and likely end the club's embarrassing 25 years without a playoff win -- for McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier to keep their jobs. And so much of that depends on the health and success of QB Tua Tagovailoa entering his sixth NFL season. 2. MARLINS: Fightin' Fish stay hot after All-Star Break: The Marlins are within five games of .500 (46-51) and within 6 1/2 in the NL wild-card race after starting the second half 3-0. Miami has now won four straight overall and is on a 16-6 run entering today's series-ender vs. Kansas City. Sizzlin' Fish then have three more at home vs. San Diego before hitting the road. Might Miami be a buyer before the July 31 trade deadline? The question itself was preposterous before the recent streak. 3. INTER MIAMI: Another Messi braces leads big Herons win: Miami is 12-4 (with five ties) and fifth in the MLS East after Saturday's big 5-1 road win at New York Red Bulls followed a 3-0 Wednesday loss at Cincinnati. Lionel Messi had two more goals -- extraordinarily his sixth brace in the last seven games. The Herons are at home next Saturday in a rematch vs. Cincy before league schedule pauses for Leagues Cup play starting July 30 in Fort Lauderdale vs. Mexican side Atlas. 4. HURRICANES: UM preseason launches with ACC Football Kickoff: ACC Football Kickoff (a.k.a. annual Media Days) is this Tuesday through Thursday in Charlotte, N.C., with Canes training camp to soon follow. Mario Cristobal drew an early Tuesday slot and will be the second of 17 head coaches to speak. Meantime the Walter Camp Preseason All-America first team includes two Canes: offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa and kick returner Keelan Marion. Miami, off a 10-3 season and narrowly missing the 12-team playoff, debuts at home Aug. 31 in a marquee season opener vs. Notre Dame. 5. GOLF: Scheffler in command, chasing 4th major at British Open: World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, the pre-tournament betting favorite ahead of Rory McIlroy, owns a big 4-shot lead entering Sunday's final round of the British Open in Portrush, Northern Ireland. Scheffler is chasing his fourth major win after two Masters triumphs and the PGA Championship trophy earlier this year. He recently said, 'I'm not out here to inspire someone to be the best player in the world, because, what's the point? This is not a fulfilling life.' Please. C'mon, Scott. If you aren't fulfilled dominating your profession as crowds cheer and money rolls in, that's on you. 6. SOCCER: England, Spain lead mammoth semis in Women's Euro '25: The 14th iteration of the UEFA women's European Championships is down to the semifinals in Switzerland: Reigning champ England vs. Italy and Spain vs. Germany. The championship match is next Sunday. England won its first crown in '22 on home turf. Italy is a two-time runnerup. Betting favorite Spain is in its first Euro final. Germany is a record eight-time champion but not won since 2013. 7. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Stirring the pot on Saban return ... to Dolphins?: Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, in an interview with ESPN's Paul Finebaum during SEC media days, said 'somebody notable' whom he has 'lots of respect for' told him Nick Saban isn't done coaching. The legend stepped down after the '24 season and replacement Kalen DeBoer went a disappointing 9-4 in his first year. Asked, DeBoer said politely, 'Well, he's one of the greatest to ever do it, and so he's earned the right to do what he wants.' Finebaum suggested Nick Saban 'go down to Miami, shake that system up' by returning to the Dolphins, who he coached in 2005-06. For what it's worth, Saban's daughter said on Instagram that Dad's not coming back. 8. HEAT: Miami misses NBA Summer League playoffs: Heat's kiddie corps finished a blah 2-3 in main NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, though ending with a one-point win over Milwaukee led by Vladislav Goldin's 18 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in 22 minutes. From a four-team playoffs it's Sacramento vs. Charlotte Sunday night in an unlikely final for the Summer crown ... but does it matter? Anyone recall the Heat won the 2024 Summer League title? Probably not. Did it foretell a big season for Miami? Um, no. 9. WNBA: Caitlin's injury deflates All-Star Weekend: The WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis went on Saturday night with Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark a cheerleader in street clothes because of a groin injury -- a massive letdown. Such is the impact of the league's most popular star. Clark has missed 10 of the Fever's 23 games with various injuries. Clark and Napheesa Collier were All-Star team captains; Team Collier won 151-131 in a defensive struggle (!) led by Napheesa's 36 points. In other news, WNBA star rookie Paige Bueckers confirmed she is dating former UConn teammate Azzi Fudd. So there. 10. MEDIA: ESPYs fail to honor double-champ Panthers: No shock or issue with U.S. gymnast Simone Biles and NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander winning best female and male athlete at the latest annual ESPY Awards. And South Florida's Coco Gauff winning best tennis player was a nice surprise. But 'best team' to the Philadelphia Eagles? After the Florida Panthers won a second straight Stanley Cup? Plain football bias by voting fans and the erstwhile Worldwide Leader in Sports. THE LIST: DOLPHINS & CANES' SHARED 10-WIN SEASONS: As 2025 training camps are set to begin, only eight times in their shared 59-year history -- and not for more than 20 years -- have the Miami Dolphins and UM Hurricanes both won at least 10 games the same season: Year Dolphins and Canes Head coaches 2003 10-6 and 11-2 Wannstedt, Coker 2001 11-5 and 12-0 Wannstedt, Coker 2000 11-5 and 11-1 Wannstedt, Davis 1994 10-6 and 10-2 Shula, Erickson 1992 11-5 and 11-1 Shula, Erickson 1990 12-4 and 10-2 Shula, Erickson 1985 12-4 and 10-2 Shula, Johnson 1983 12-4 ans 11-1 Shula, Schnellenberger Note: Dolphins have had 24 10-win seasons in 59 years; Canes have had 16 in 88 seasons. The longest streaks of double-digits wins have been six by the Fins (1970-75) and eight by UM (1985-92). Other select most recent stuff from me: Why Miami staunchly remains a Football Town even as Dolphins and Canes disappoint // Strobe lights? Trajekt Arc? How Marlins' trust in youth, player-development is paying off // Previous HB10 // Jalen Ramsey, now Asante Samuel drama = Dolphins mess at cornerback // Heat getting 3-point ace Powell a pickpocket-win for Riley // Champion Panthers keep revving this summer while Heat stays quiet // Dolphins' gamble on Waller after Ramsey & Smith for Fitzpatrick was net loss // Inter Miami falls to PSG but won big to reach Club World Cup final 16 // Poll Dance: Pat Riley // Panthers celebrate as 1 of 4 South Florida sports dynasties -- with no end near // Champions! Panthers crush Edmonton, McDavid, make history with 2nd straight Stanley Cup // Stanley Cup preview: On Connor 'McOverrated,' dream Cup rematch, Panthers as face of changed NHL // Major news on future of Dan Le Batard Show, Meadowlark Media, DraftKings // Giannis? Durant? Embarrassed Heat need major help after 55-point loss and playoff sweep // Miami Dolphins should be fed up with Tyreek Hill, but team is too desperate to trade him // To owner Bruce Sherman of low-hope Marlins: Spend more on payroll, or sell team // Dolphins' 18-month decline, quiet offseason heap pressure on Tua, coach, GM in '25 // A tribute to Miami sports legend Jimmy Johnson as he retires from Fox TV // 15 years later, Dolphins Cancer Challenge is the life-saving legacy of Jim Mandich // Unprofessional Jimmy Butler quit on Heat, ruined his legacy in Miami // And my latest podcast:
