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Cal Football: Can Golden Bears become sneaky contenders in 2019?

By Christen-Lynn Harrington

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 10: Chase Garbers #7 of the California Golden Bears reacts to his running touchdown to take a 15-14 lead over the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 10, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 10: Chase Garbers #7 of the California Golden Bears reacts to his running touchdown to take a 15-14 lead over the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 10, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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BERKELEY, CA – DECEMBER 01: Quarterback Chase Garbers #7 of the California Golden Bears passes against the Stanford Cardinal during the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
BERKELEY, CA – DECEMBER 01: Quarterback Chase Garbers #7 of the California Golden Bears passes against the Stanford Cardinal during the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

Beau Baldwin will try to revamp a woeful offense

Cal was plagued by turnovers and the unit finished dead last in the Pac-12 in scoring, passing and total offense last season. The Golden Bears’ offense lacked explosive plays and they must replace their leading rusher and top-four pass catchers.

Quarterback Chase Garbers had a solid freshman campaign, despite throwing for one touchdown and five interceptions over California’s final two games. The former four-star prospect showed promise and proved why he was the Golden Bears’ No. 1 recruit in 2017. Garbers threw for 14 touchdowns, but finished last in the league in passing efficiency.

Garbers also displayed great mobility to extend plays and even had an 82-yard run against USC called back because of a hold.

Keeping the sophomore signal-caller upright and healthy will be vital for Beau Baldwin’s offense to see any improvement. The offensive line allowed 36 sacks last season, which ranked 11th in the league. Michael Saffell, Valentino Daltoso, Gentle Williams and Jake Curhan return up front and all have combined for 58 career starts.

Patrick Laird was the Golden Bears’ workhouse at running back and will be sorely missed. Baldwin will likely use a running back-by-committee approach to fill Laird’s void and keep the pressure off of Garbers. Christopher Brown Jr., and Marcel Dancy combined for just 51 carries, 229 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Unfortunately for Garbers, no returning receiver on the roster caught more than 20 passes last year. Senior Jordan Duncan is the veteran out of the bunch, with six career receiving touchdowns and must take on a leadership role this fall. Regardless of the matter, California’s offense must put more points on the scoreboard.

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