Cal’s first injury report for Saturday’s matchup with Virginia Tech leaves the Bears waiting on a long list of important names.
Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, running back Adam Mohammed, wide receiver Chase Hendricks and safety Kingston Lopa are all listed as questionable for the home game Saturday afternoon. So are linebacker Kamar Mohudu, safety Aiden Manutai, offensive lineman Ben Howard and defensive lineman Ashun Shepphard. In other words, Cal will have to monitor a group that includes several projected starters right up to kickoff.
There is at least one encouraging sign for the Bears. Carter Vargas, Cal’s No. 2 running back and kickoff returner, is not on the injury report, which points to a return after he missed the past several games with an injury.
Sagapolutele’s status is tied to the concussion protocol after he left last week’s game late in the first half with a concussion. If he is unable to go, Jackson Brousseau would take over. Brousseau handled the second half against UNLV well, throwing for 200 yards and helping Cal put up 24 second-half points.
Mohammed missed all of last week after being hurt against Clemson. If he can’t play, Vargas would presumably start, with Ashten Emory also in line for snaps. Freshman Tyee Sams could also factor in if Mohammed remains sidelined.
Hendricks has been Cal’s leading receiver, with 32 catches for 267 yards. If he’s out, Cooper Perry would be asked to take on a larger role alongside starting receiver Ian Strong and tight ends Taimane Purcell and Mason Mini.
Lopa has been one of Cal’s biggest bright spots this season, and he leads the nation in receptions with five. He played just one snap last week before leaving with a concussion.
Mohudu has also been a steady presence on defense, and if he cannot play, Tristan Jernigan would likely step into an inside linebacker spot next to AJ Tuitele.
Cal is 2-3, and an updated injury report is expected to be posted on Thursday.
In Other News...
Cal Faces A Virginia Tech Team With Something To Prove
Virginia Tech arrives with a sturdy record and a new sense of direction under James Franklin, and the Hokies have already started to look like a team that can make life difficult for an opponent. Damien Sordelett pointed to Franklins early impact since taking over, noting improvements in the way the Hokies are playing and the steadier overall feel around a program that has had to reset its expectations.
For Cal, the more interesting part is how Virginia Tech has responded after a frustrating loss to Pitt, one that left plenty of questions but did not seem to shake the bigger picture. Sordelett also highlighted Ethan Grunkemeyers performance at quarterback and the edge presence of Aycen Stevens and Cortez Harris, giving this matchup the feel of a team still trying to prove its staying power rather than one simply trying to avoid another letdown. [Read more 🡒]
Cal May Finally Have An Answer For Its Late-Game Problem
Cal has spent much of this season trying to solve a problem that kept showing up at the worst possible time: the fourth quarter. Too often, the Bears were left scrambling late, unable to turn close games or slim leads into something secure, and it has made every endgame feel heavier than it should for a team trying to build momentum.
The next test comes against Virginia Tech, and the timing matters because the offense may still be sorting through key availability issues. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Adam Mohammed and Chase Hendricks were all listed as questionable, leaving Cal with some uncertainty even as it searches for a more reliable finish and hopes the recent late-game spark can carry over. [Read more 🡒]
Cal's Offense Just Took A Turn Fans Have Been Waiting For
Cal footballs offense got a jolt against UNLV when the staff made a significant in-game adjustment, and it came at a time when the Bears were already dealing with injuries to key players. The shift gave the unit a different feel, and the timing mattered for a team trying to find steadier footing on that side of the ball.
Pat McCann now heads into the Virginia Tech game with the offense in his hands, and Cal will need that momentum to carry over against a tougher opponent. The bigger question is whether the change can keep producing the kind of rhythm the Bears were missing before, or whether the boost was just a one-game fix. [Read more 🡒]