Kickoff Countdown: 11 Best Games Since 2000, Cal Sets Expectations

Jeff Tedford’s seat is undoubtedly toastier than he is accustomed entering the new season. His Golden Bears have fell short of expectations in recent seasons, hitting last year’s low of a 5-7 finish and an end to Cal’s seven-season bowl streak. The irony that Cal football even has expectations solely due to Tedford is lost. His molding Berkeley into a program demanding a high level can be traced back to a September afternoon in 2003.

Of course, Tedford’s resurrection project began a season earlier when he inherited a 1-10 nightmare from Tom Holmoe. It seemed in 2002 that Tedford wouldn’t be held to an Andy Smith or Pappy Waldorf level of success; replicating the Bruce Snyder era would be sufficient given the Bears’ dark decade.

Tedford’s first season showed immediate promise though, as the quarterback mentoring he was renowned for shaped Kyle Boller into a first round NFL draft choice, and the Golden Bears improved by six wins.

Never was the complete reversal more evident though, than on Sept. 27 in Memorial Stadium. USC was en vogue preseason favorite to not only win the Pac-10, but pursue the BCS Championship. The swagger SC was known for throughout Pete Carroll’s tenure was already evident with an Orange Bowl trophy en tow and loftier expectations. Cal didn’t take kindly to the Trojans’ rejuvenated arrogance, which the below video captures. (NOTE: Exercise discretion playing this video as language gets R-rated).

A characteristic SC and Cal shared upon taking the field in Strawberry Canyon was first-year starting quarterbacks. Both programs had to replace first rounders. And frankly, both Aaron Rodgers and Matt Leinart played like quarterbacks in their first month as starters on this day. The pair combined for five interceptions — three from Leinart, two from Rodgers.

The heroics Rodgers is now known for in the NFL weren’t even what drove Cal to victory. Rodgers played a decent game, throwing two touchdowns to Burl Toler and Garrett Cross and finished with 217 yards on 18-of-25 attempts. He rushed for another touchdown, all of which came in a first half wherein Cal jumped ahead 21-7.

That was the most Rodgers could do with the offense, as Cal wouldn’t cross the goal line again in regulation. USC chipped away with two third quarter scores, while Rodgers had to take to the sideline. That left Reggie Robertson to guide the offense.

Cal’s lone points of the half came on a 51-yard Tyler Fredrickson field goal midway through the fourth quarter. Thank goodness for Cal he hit that — Fredrickson was blocked twice on the day. His late kick was the proverbial RBI base hit to support a pitcher’s two-hit gem, because the Cal defense came to play.

The 24 points USC ended regulation with were the second fewest they would accrue all season. The Trojans were outgained by nearly 100 yards, and were spanked in time of possession at just over 21 minutes with the ball.

The Cal defense’s finest moment came in overtime though. USC forced overtime on a field goal with zeroes on the clock, then answered a Robertson touchdown with one of its own in the first frame. The Trojans then began the next overtime with possession and a chance to take their only lead of the game.

Navy-and-gold held firm, forcing a fourth down on which Ryan Killeen’s field goal attempt missed. That opened the door for Fredrickson’s game winner. The loss was USC’s first since Oct. 5, 2002, when it dropped a 30-27 decision to Washington State. It would also mark the Trojans’ final defeat until Jan. 4, 2006*.

Thanks to the new Pac-12 agreement with Hulu, you can watch the entire game online.

*NCAA sanctions altered the record books to say otherwise, but in terms of on-field decisions, USC would go over 26 months before dropping another game.