Arizona Helmet Stickers and Play of the Game

After coming off a tough loss with players, coaches and fans all looking for answers, one thing was evident -- the loss was on everyone. From the defense, offense, special teams, to the coaches, not a single unit was innocent of not making their share of mistakes on Saturday night.

With that said, there were some notable performances in a night most are already looking to forget.

Offensive Player of the Game Verran Tucker
Tucker busted onto the scene with one of the best performances by a Cal wide receiver all season. Tucker had 4 catches for 68 yards and a touchdown score (his second of the season).

While our receivers have been inconsistent all year, it was both refreshing and encouraging to see a receiver step up and have a solid outing, especially with fellow WR Michael Calvin’s season ending with injury earlier in the week.

Now if only a receiver could be “that guy” consistently, week to week.

Honorable Mentions
Jahvid Best: 107 yards rushing, 1 TD, 4 catches, 33 yards.
The first half version of Nate Longshore: 16-25 for 172 yards and 2 TDs.


Defensive Player of the Game: Worrell Williams
Saturday wasn’t a bright day for the defensive unit. For every nice play such as a forced fumble, or a sack, or an interception, there seemed to be twice as many missed gap assignments, poor tackles, and out of position plays.

No one player really stood out, for both reasons bad and good.

With that said, I still saw some nice plays out middle linebacker Worrell Williams, particularly his well timed blitzes that disrupted the backfield, including a nice sack on Arizona QB Willie Tuitama. Williams also had 6 solo tackles on the day.

Honorable Mentions
Anthony Felder: 7 tackles (5 solo), 1 TFL, 1 interception
Zack Follett: 7 tackles (6 solo), 1 sack.

Play of the Game: Jahvid Best’s 67 yard touchdown run
Jahvid Best’s 67 yarder in the second quarter again showed flashes of how special he can be once he gets out into the open field. Unlike some of his other long runs this year, Best had to actually make some nifty moves before displaying his speed in outrunning Zona defenders before scoring. The TD run tied the game back up for the Bears (14-14) and temporarily halted the momentum that had been swinging into Arizona’s direction—until the third quarter that is.

The one downer was his unnecessary dive into the endzone. Not sure if it contributed to his sore elbow, but it’s still something you’d like to have your star running back do when coming back from a dislocated elbow injury. Just a thought.