Watch CBS News

Senior Spotlight: Cal's Seniors Must Lead Bears Out Of Losing Streak

Cal has run into a wall in the middle of its season, but the seniors on the program have been through more than enough to find a way to keep the focus on what's next. Despite losing three straight games, Cal still has a very good chance to reach a bowl game and the senior class will be a big reason why Cal gets there. Eight games into the season, the impact the seniors are having on the season can not be ignored.

On offense, junior quarterback Jared Goff has connected with junior Kenny Lawler more than any other option, but the rest of the receivers chipping in are seniors. Trevor Davis is second on the team with 398 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns. Bryce Treggs has added 381 yards and three touchdowns, while senior tight end Stephen Anderson has gotten in the mix with 373 yards and a touchdown. Two other seniors, Darius Powe and Maurice Harris, have each scored a touchdown three times. The running game is also led by non-seniors with junior Khalfani Muhammad leading the team in rushing yardage and sophomore Vic Enwere leading the team with five rushing touchdowns, but senior Daniel Lasco has helped keep the ground game going with 242 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

On defense, defensive lineman Kyle Kragen has been causing many problems for opposing offensive linemen. Kragen leads Cal with five sacks this season for a combined loss of 27 yards. That is a significant development, because last season Devante Downs led the team with just three sacks for an entire 12-game season. Kragen still has four games to go, and possibly a fifth to continue adding to that sack total. Kragen is not alone providing senior leadership on defense with his play. Senior defensive back Darius White is tied for the team lead with two interceptions, although it has been a while since his last picked off pass.

Cal's seniors have to come together for the Golden Bears to avoid a complete meltdown down the stretch. It will be no easy task this week as Cal heads to Oregon to take on a resurgent Ducks program coming off a big Thursday night overtime thriller at Arizona State. Cal's seniors have never beaten Oregon. A loss to the Ducks will put Cal on some real thin ice when it comes to the postseason coming down the stretch of the season.

Kevin McGuire is a Philadelphia area sports writer covering the Philadelphia Eagles and college football. McGuire is a member of the FWAA and National Football Foundation. Follow McGuire on Twitter @KevinOnCFB. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.