The 2018 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bears went 7–6 during Justin Wilcox's second year as head coach. The Bears upset #15 Washington 12–10 and defeated USC 15–14 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles to snap a 15-year losing streak to the Trojans, but at the same time, they also snapped an 18-year losing streak to USC in the Coliseum. They lost 10–7 in overtime to TCU in the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl.
Cal's offensive efficiency ranked as the second worst among all Power Five teams. This ranking was in direct contrast to Cal's offensive performances under Cal's previous coach Sonny Dykes; in 2014 Cal was ranked No. 11 in nation in points scored, and in 2015 was ranked No. 13 in total yards. However, there was an inverse contrast in team's defensive performance as Wilcox's 2018 team was ranked No. 15 in total yards allowed as opposed to consistent bottom of the charts performances under Dykes. Two standouts of Cal's defense were second team All-Pac-12 linebacker junior Evan Weaver who had 155 tackles and two interceptions, and first team All-Pac-12 senior Jordan Kunaszyk who had 143 tackles, six forced fumbles and one fumble recovered; Kunaszyk went undrafted but was later signed by the Carolina Panthers.
Offseason On December 5, 2017, defensive line coach Jerry Azzinaro left the Golden Bears after one season to become the new defensive coordinator for the UCLA Bruins under Chip Kelly.
NFL Draft selections The Golden Bears had two individuals selected in the 2018 NFL draft.
Devante Downs Linebacker 7 225 Minnesota Vikings James Looney Defensive end 7 232 Green Bay Packers
Recruiting
Recruits
The Golden Bears signed a total of 21 recruits.
Preseason
Award watch lists Listed in the order that they were released Lott TrophyJordan KunaszykLBSRRimington TrophyAddison OomsCSRMaxwell AwardPatrick LairdRBSRDoak Walker AwardPatrick LairdRBSRFred Biletnikoff AwardKanawai NoaWRJRVic Wharton IIIWRSRJohn Mackey AwardRay HudsonTESRButkus AwardJordan KunaszykLBSRBronko Nagurski TrophyJordan KunaszykLBSROutland TrophyPatrick MekariOLSRPaul Hornung AwardAshtyn DavisS/KRJRWuerffel TrophyPatrick LairdRBSRJohnny Unitas Golden Arm AwardRoss BowersQBJR
Pac-12 media days The 2018 Pac-12 media days were set for July 25, 2018 in Hollywood, California. Justin Wilcox (HC), Patrick Laird (RB) & Jordan Kunaszyk (LB) at Pac-12 media days. The Pac-12 media poll was released with the Golden Bears predicted to finish in fourth place at Pac-12 North division.
Schedule
Personnel
Coaching staff Name Position Seasons at Cal Before Cal Justin Wilcox Head Coach 2nd as head coach (LB Coach, 2003–2005) Wisconsin – Defensive coordinator (2016) Beau Baldwin Assistant head coach / offensive coordinator / tight ends coach 2nd year Eastern Washington – head coach (2008–16) Tim DeRuyter Defensive coordinator / outside linebackers coach 2nd year Fresno State – Head coach (2012–16) Gerald Alexander Defensive backs coach 2nd year Montana State – Defensive backs coach (2016) Nicholas Edwards Wide receivers coach 2nd year Eastern Washington – Wide receivers coach (2014–16) Steve Greatwood Offensive line coach 2nd year Oregon – Offensive line / defensive line coach (2000–16) Charlie Ragle Special teams coordinator / tight ends coach 2nd year Arizona – Special teams coordinator (2013–17) Peter Sirmon Associate head coach / inside linebackers 1st year Louisville – Defensive coordinator / outside linebackers coach (2017) Burl Toler III Running backs coach 1st as Asst. Coach (WR, 2001–2004) UC Davis – Wide receivers coach (2016) Marques Tuiasosopo Quarterbacks coach / passing game coordinator / recruiting coordinator 2nd year UCLA – Quarterbacks coach / passing game coordinator (2016) Tony Tuioti Defensive line coach 2nd year Cleveland Browns – Quality Control, Defense (2014–15) Erik Meyer Quality Control, Offensive 2nd year La Mirada HS (CA) – Quarterbacks coach (2008–16)Reference:
Roster 2018 California Golden Bears FootballQuarterback 3 Ross Bowers – junior (6'2, 190) 7 Chase Garbers – freshman (6'2, 210) 11 Brandon McIlwain – sophomore (6'1, 195) 14 Chase Forrest – senior (6'2, 205)
Running back 4 Zion Echols – sophomore (5'8, 180) 22 Derrick Clark – sophomore (5'10, 210) 26 Biaggo Ali Walsh – sophomore (5'10, 190) 28 Patrick Laird – senior (6'0, 200) 30 Billy McCrary III – senior (5'11, 210) 31 Alex Netherda – junior (6'0, 215)
Wide receiver 2 Jordan Duncan – junior (6'1, 210) 9 Kanawai Noa – junior (6'0, 180) 10 Jeremiah Hawkins – sophomore (5'8, 175) 17 Vic Wharton III – senior (5'11, 210) 18 Moe Ways – senior (6'4, 220) 25 Nikko Remigio – freshman (5'10, 170) 30 Matt Rockett – senior (5'9, 195) 36 Hiroaki Endo – senior (6'0, 195) 38 Ricky Walker III – freshman (5'11, 200) 39 Evan King – freshman (6'3, 195) 41 Ben Skinner – freshman (6'2, 195) 81 Brandon Singleton – junior (6'0, 170) 85 Greyson Bankhead – sophomore (6'0, 170) 86 Monroe Young – freshman (6'0, 190) 88 Ryan Regan – freshman (6'0, 175)
Tight end 16 Collin Moore – sophomore (6'4, 225) 80 Jake Ashton – senior (6'3, 235) 82 McCallan Castles – freshman (6'5, 235) 83 Ben Moos – sophomore (6'4, 235) 84 Gavin Reinwald – sophomore (6'3, 215) 87 Kyle Wells – senior (6'3, 245) 89 Matt Laris – sophomore (6'3, 235) 99 Malik McMorris – senior (5'11, 300) (+FB)
Punter 37 Steven Coutts – senior (6'4, 210) 42 Dylan Klumph – senior (6'2, 235) Offensive lineman 53 Michael Saffell – sophomore (6'2, 295) 54 Gentle Williams – sophomore (6'3, 295) 57 Addison Ooms – senior (6'4, 300) 58 Semisi Uluave – senior (6'5, 345) 60 Daniel Juarez – sophomore (6'5, 290) 61 Valentino Daltoso – sophomore (6'4, 310) 65 Tanner Prenovost – sophomore (6'0, 265) 70 Poutasi Poutasi – sophomore (6'4, 305) 71 Jake Curhan – sophomore (6'6, 325) 72 Kamryn Bennett – senior (6'3, 310) 74 Ryan Gibson – junior (6'2, 285) 76 Henry Bazakas – junior (6'6, 300) 79 Patrick Mekari – senior (6'4, 300)
Defensive end 44 Zeandae Johnson – junior (6'4, 280) 91 Chinedu Udeogu – sophomore (6'4, 250) 92 Gabe Cherry – sophomore (6'5, 260) 96 Tevin Paul – sophomore (6'4, 270)
Nose guard 50 Hunter Abel – junior (6'0, 275) 93 Luc Bequette – junior (6'2, 290) 98 Chris Palmer – senior (6'2, 320)
Outside linebacker 13 Russell Ude – junior (6'3, 245) 19 Cameron Goode – sophomore (6'3, 225) 36 Alex Funches – senior (6'2, 230) 46 Drew Bryant – senior (6'2, 220) 51 Cameron Saffle – senior (6'3, 250) 89 Evan Weaver – junior (6'3, 250) 94 Trevor Howard – junior (6'3, 250)
Placekicker 41 Gabe Siemieniec – sophomore (6'1, 220) 49 Matt Abramo – junior (6'3, 190) Inside linebacker 40 David Ortega Jr. – senior (5'9, 210) 41 Gerran Brown – junior (6'2, 220) 43 Kyle Harmon – sophomore (6'1, 240) (+OLB) 55 Aisea Tongilava – senior (6'1, 220) 59 Jordan Kunaszyk – senior (6'3, 235)
Cornerback 3 Elijah Hicks – sophomore (5'11, 180) 7 Chigozie Anusiem – freshman (6'1, 185) 8 Nygel Edmonds – sophomore (5'11, 190) 16 Chibuzo Nwokocha – senior (6'1, 185) 20 Joshua Drayden – junior (5'9, 185) 22 Traveon Beck – junior (5'9, 160) 24 Camryn Bynum – sophomore (6'0, 180) 27 Ashtyn Davis – junior (6'1, 195)
Defensive back 10 Daniel Scott – sophomore (6'2, 200) 45 Branden Smith – sophomore (5'10, 170)
Safety 4 Derron Brown – senior (6'1, 210) 5 Trey Turner – senior (6'1, 190) 6 Jaylinn Hawkins – junior (6'2, 200) 21 Evan Rambo – junior (6'4, 210) 23 Malik Psalms – junior (6'1, 185) 28 Quentin Tartabull – senior (5'11, 205) 29 Bryce Turner – sophomore (5'10, 175)
Long snapper 45 Grant Gluhaich – junior (5'11, 200) 47 Alonso Vera – senior (5'11, 225)
Fullback 40 Justin Norbeck – senior (6'0, 235)Source and player details:
Game summaries
North Carolina
At BYU
Idaho State
Oregon
At Arizona
UCLA
At Oregon State
Washington
At Washington State
At USC
Colorado
Stanford
Vs. TCU (Cheez-It Bowl)
Media affiliates
Radio KGO 810 AM - Joe Starkey, Mike Pawlawski, Todd McKim with Hal Ramey and Lee Grosscup KALX 90.7 FM
TV Pac-12 Network FSN/ESPN
Rankings
Awards and honors
Award finalists Patrick Laird (RB) Burlsworth Trophy Finalist Senior CLASS Award Finalist
Award semifinalists Tim DeRuyter (DC/olb coach) Broyles Award Semifinalist Jordan Kunaszyk (LB) Lott IMPACT Trophy Semifinalist Patrick Laird (RB) Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
Award watchlists Evan Weaver (LB) Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
Weekly awards Team awards FWAA National Team of the Week (Week 11 vs USC) Steven Coutts (P) Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 13 vs Colorado) Luc Bequette (DE) Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week (Week 11 vs USC) Ashtyn Davis (S) Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week (Week 13 vs Colorado) Evan Weaver (LB) Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week (Week 9 vs Washington) CSM Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week (Week 9 vs Washington)
Honors Patrick Laird (RB) Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Google Cloud Academic All-District Team
All-Pac-12
First Jordan Kunaszyk LB SR Second Evan Weaver LB JR Honorable Luc Buquette DE JR Honorable Camryn Bynum DB SO Honorable Steven Coutts P JR Honorable Ashtyn Davis RS JR
References