Wow.
A barn burner. Hanging on for dear life. Fingers slipping from the edge.
You get the idea.
Among many mind blowing (as far as football is concerned) numbers, please consider the following:
4 plus hours of football (what is this? A Red Sox/Evil Empire game?).
Cal ran 94 offensive plays.
SDSU had 70 offensive plays (for a game total of 164).
Their qb threw 72 passes (he completed 41).
15 kickoffs.
SDSU limited Cal to less than six minutes of ball time in the second and fourth quarters.
SDSU was flagged 14 times for 105 yards.
Once we took the lead at 28-21, we held the lead; 31-21, 38-21, 38-28, 38-34, 45-34, 45-40.
42,473 butts in the seats without the promise of post-game fireworks (the game was the fireworks show).
A tip of the hat to Donnel Pumphrey for the inevitable run past Marshall Faulk. The fact Donnel teared up on the sideline is testament to a young man noting his place in NCAA history.
While Christian Chapman struggled, he limited bad decisions to a botched snap and one interception. 14/23 for 129 yards (while averaging just shy of ten yards per completion) was enough production in light of pound and ground for 334 yards (281 of those yards belonging to Mr. Pumphrey). The offensive line, tight ends and fullback were exceptional.
The defense made plays when all seemed lost. How do we win when we give up 604 yards of Cal offense? How do we win when we give up 522 passing yards? By making three interceptions and returning one for a touchdown. That’s how. The old “bend, but do not break” applied. Trite? Perhaps. But, applicable. Damontae Kazee’s acrobatic pick with seconds remaining sealed the win. A wild end to a wild ride.
At last, we beat a Rigged 5 team. A signature win? I say no. But, a quality win nonetheless.
2-0.
tipmypitch 