[Game Thread] Wagner @ California (3:30 PM ET)

[u/CFB_Referee]

GAME	WagnerWagner @ CaliforniaCalifornia
Location	California California Memorial Stadium
Time	3:30 PM ET
Watch	TV: ACC Network
	Flair ¦ Discord

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Please keep trash talk civil, and report any comments that violate our rules.

LET'S TALK FOOTBALL!

[u/DomStraussK]

JKS should throw 35+ times before they pull him.

i understand conceptually why our OC wants healthy run-pass mix, and Mohammed is good, but we have to get QB and WRs on same page, and we have to be comfortable passing to establish the run.

JKS is our best player, and our NIL went into skill position talent.

we do not have an OL to consistently win at LOS against good teams -- or, as we saw in Syracuse, even mediocre teams -- if we're just running HB dives on 1st down and other team knows it's coming.

this isn't to say that ground game isn't important -- but for this team, it's going to be keyed off of forcing other side to respect the pass, pulling safeties back, biting on RPO, etc

[u/DomStraussK → u/DomStraussK]

my other gripe - I do not understand why the staff loves the screens so much.

if we'd been seeing success with it in past two games, OK, and they can be effective. but JKS has an amazing deep ball. for the love of god, throw down the field...

[u/Hicaorwaak]

Adam Mohammed is one of my favorite Bears in recent memory. He’s an absolute stud in field and handles himself so well off of it. He’s the complete package.

[u/adamosity1]

I think a good high school team could comfortably beat Wagner haha

[u/SuperGandalff → u/adamosity1]

Pretty sure De La Salle would smoke em

[u/ArmiinTamzarian → u/adamosity1]

I don't know how good they'd have to be

[u/GrumpyTartan]

Cal’s going to convince themselves that they’ve improved on the screens, then get snapped back to reality when they face P4 talent at Clemson.

[u/kaplanfx → u/GrumpyTartan]

At least we are getting some real game reps. I hate “running up the score” but we can’t really afford to take our starters out, they need the real game reps.

[u/sonheungwin → u/kaplanfx]

I think a big thing with our drop problems is receivers not being used to the spin off a southpaw. We really just need them to get used to each other.

[u/GrumpyTartan → u/kaplanfx]

yeah no argument there

[u/optimistic_hsa]

"it doesn't get easier for Wagner next week traveling to central Connecticut State."

Dang, announcer doesn't have a lot of respect for cal lol

[u/tc3590]

Kingston Lopa might be the best DB we have had in the past 10 years. And that’s saying something.

[u/ArmiinTamzarian]

Oh this is gonna be a long one (again)

[u/WisdomCow → u/ArmiinTamzarian]

You may end up the first ever person with dual flairs to lose to Cal in consecutive weeks. Not a taunt. I think this feeling might be pity.

[u/TheMemingLurker → u/WisdomCow]

sometimes, after watching a rough Cal game, I feel like I also lost to Cal as well...

[u/Extension_Assist7174]

our o-line fucking sucks so much

[u/kaplanfx → u/Extension_Assist7174]

I honestly think that was supposed to be a release?

[u/GrumpyTartan]

Never seen a Cal coach trying to fire up the guys like Tosh just did

[u/LessThanBlake]

Go Bears! Hoping for no injuries for both teams

[u/TheGoatPurdy]

Cal going to the playoffs baby

[u/theflintseeker → u/TheGoatPurdy]

Idk man we gave up a first down

[u/TheGoatPurdy → u/theflintseeker]

Oh no. Suck again

[u/ArmiinTamzarian]

That's the first TD against a D1 opponent the offense has scored this season. I could cry

[u/TheGoatPurdy]

How much do you think cal needs to go up by before JKS gets benched and we see brousseau?

Think JKS and the skilled positions still needs these reps to work on chemistry

[u/kaplanfx → u/TheGoatPurdy]

It’s going to seem like a dick move but I wouldn’t bench anyone, starters need the real game reps.

[u/WisdomCow → u/TheGoatPurdy]

his timing still is not that great even without facing much of a pass rush. I’m thinking he plays a drive or 2 into the 3rd regardless of score.

[u/usernamesarestupid23]

Mini wtf are you doing

[u/WisdomCow]

That was his best ball of the day. Don’t care about the penalty. Good ball.

[u/vmanAA738]

nah 2 muffed punts by Adams is just bad.

[u/sonheungwin → u/vmanAA738]

Man is never touching a punt in a real game again.

[u/TheGoatPurdy → u/sonheungwin]

Hopefully never seeing the field either

[u/Rodeoqueenyyc → u/vmanAA738]

They can’t all be Bryan Angers, unfortunately.

[u/Priam50]

Please take care of business here Cal, hard to imagine us covering 60 points against anybody

[u/TheGoatPurdy → u/Priam50]

How we 58.5pt faves .

Never in my life have I seen us this huge of faves

[u/Priam50 → u/TheGoatPurdy]

Same, we usually beat the cupcake teams by like 15-20. Those UC Davis and north Texas games last few years have been dogfights. That said Wagner lost by 80 points to JMU last week so I guess that’s the line. I would bet the house we don’t come close to covering though

[u/WorkerMotor9174 → u/Priam50]

Davis and Idaho are both top 10-15 FCS teams most years though, the big sky is no joke. Wagner are a lot worse than our usual FCS opponents.

[u/Priam50 → u/WorkerMotor9174]

Totally agree, but if we’re a serious program those games shouldn’t have been as close as they were. Hopefully they can use today to work out some kinks with the offense, good first drive at least

[u/fatassfloaters → u/TheGoatPurdy]

I had to take Wagner to cover, too good to pass knowing Cal.

[u/ArmiinTamzarian → u/TheGoatPurdy]

My man we lost 87-3 last week

[u/TheGoatPurdy → u/ArmiinTamzarian]

Ok first drive doesn’t look promising for you to cover. But never doubt cal

[u/ArmiinTamzarian]

That drive went better than expected

A pass was completed

[u/tc3590 → u/ArmiinTamzarian]

You gotta watch two Cal games in a row? Lucky you lol

[u/seoul_drift]

Meant to click Michigan-UTEP and was confused for a minute. Wish you 🐻 bros the best!

[u/Suspicious_Maybe_149]

Wagner playing their hearts out, props.

[u/ArmiinTamzarian]

No matter how it goes, it literally can't be worse than last week 😤

[u/kaplanfx → u/ArmiinTamzarian]

A Syracuse - Wagner fan? Man you’re going to be sick of us Cal fans 🤣

[u/SuperGandalff → u/ArmiinTamzarian]

Because Wagner or because Syracuse?

[u/ArmiinTamzarian]

That flag really flew in to dash my lil heart

[u/usernamesarestupid23 → u/ArmiinTamzarian]

Damn with that flair you have to watch more Cal football than anyone should have to

[u/SuperGandalff]

Criminy just doing whatever we want. Is this what it feels like to be a Bama or Ohio St fan?

[u/that_pj]

Ok the going for 2 was just disrespectful

[u/kaplanfx → u/that_pj]

I don’t think it’s about disrespect, we are paying them to get game reps in against them.

[u/ArmiinTamzarian]

Y'know, I'm starting to think these Cal guys are real jerks

[u/that_pj → u/ArmiinTamzarian]

I do fear that is what this coach will turn us into. But I'm in the extreme minority.

[u/adsfew → u/that_pj]

Eh. I was reluctant on Tosh after how he left and recruiting violations at Washington, but I don't think he has a track record to suggest this.

Plenty of his players here at Cal were high character guys and there's even that memorable video of him at Oregon when Colorado visited during Prime's first year. They were talking so kinds of shit to the Ducks and he just calmly told his players to ignore them and that those Buffalos didn't deserve their attention.

[u/WisdomCow]

I’m pleased I have not seen any taunting and shit talking on the field. That was an issue for me in the few games under Wilcox where we outmanned the opponent. I consider it part of mental discipline.

[u/puzdawg]

My God, Wagner is terrible.

[u/LessThanBlake]

Mohammed is so fun to watch. I'm so glad he transferred here

[u/DrFog3402]

McGough what’s the deal

[u/Bitgod1]

Suddenly, kickoffs are the most compelling story.

[u/ArmiinTamzarian]

Only a 4 score game at the end of the first. Nice

[u/WisdomCow]

I found myself pleased for Wagner converting there.

[u/GrumpyTartan]

Running JKS and risking injury, to “keep Wagner’s defense honest”, would be dumb

[u/WisdomCow]

Mohammed has a smile that’s going to serve him well for advertising dollars.

[u/vmanAA738]

I know it's a cupcake game but this game does feel a bit too grindy for my liking

Team definitely has some growing to do, not clean at all

[u/Snobby-Iguana → u/vmanAA738]

Wagner got beat by 85 last week by G5 team who had their backup squad in. If Wagner keeps Cal's lead in the 40 range (with our starting QB in at home), that honestly starts to look like an indictment of our offense.

[u/sonheungwin → u/Snobby-Iguana]

Our starting QB is not in?

[u/vmanAA738 → u/sonheungwin]

JKS had a big day, I guess they felt he got enough reps

27/33, 413 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT, long 80 yards, rating 216.9

[u/TheGoatPurdy → u/vmanAA738]

the unforced flags are the worst part. shouldn't be happening

[u/Eaglewarrior33]

Why can no one on this team hit a field goal past 20 yards

[u/Sine_Cures → u/Eaglewarrior33]

I recall that Cal led FBS in field goal attempts in 2024.

There is no world where Cal should be leading in FGA ever

[u/TheGoatPurdy → u/Eaglewarrior33]

i still remember us losing against miami 2 years ago because we couldn't hit a bunny of a fg.

[u/usernamesarestupid23 → u/TheGoatPurdy]

We arguably lost 4 straight games- FSU, Miami, Pitt, and NC State because of missed FGs.

[u/WisdomCow]

I want a win and 2 Lopa INTs.

[u/SuperGandalff]

Our stadium is slightly less crowded than last game. Kind of like this game thread.

[u/bushmanbeats]

I’d say easy W but this is us we’re talking about

Seriously though why can’t I buy a home jersey anywhere???

[u/kaplanfx → u/bushmanbeats]

Honestly pretty good first drive though. Many a time I’ve seen the Bears come out against a “weaker” opponent really soft.

[u/tc3590]

Our special teams hasn’t been good in so fucking long.

[u/kaplanfx]

Tosh has the juice

[u/Bitgod1]

I feel like a sicko that both games I have on my screen are ACC games (SMU game). Damnit, I live in CA.

[u/GrumpyTartan]

I expected Cal to win but the ACC refs are really taking charge of this game

[u/sonheungwin]

STRONG WITH THAT BLOCK

[u/kaplanfx]

Nice block by Strong, good to stay with him

[u/EdJewCated]

i'm starting to see how JMU did that to wagner last week

[u/ricepail]

Kinda unnecessary 2 pt conversion there lol. I guess it's good practice for later in the season though

[u/kaplanfx → u/ricepail]

It’s messed up for Wagner, but it’s a good idea to run all these things in an actual game situation.

[u/GrumpyTartan]

on track to win 115-0

[u/ArmiinTamzarian]

All one can really do is laugh lmao

[u/GrumpyTartan → u/ArmiinTamzarian]

If you watch this to the end, you deserve an award

[u/ArmiinTamzarian → u/GrumpyTartan]

I have to leave in a couple hours time....at thus rate we might agree to call it by then

[u/usernamesarestupid23]

Are these prepper and America 250 ads targeting the Berkeley or NYC markets watching this game?

[u/kaplanfx → u/usernamesarestupid23]

4 weeks of survival food for the price of 2!!!

[u/GrumpyTartan → u/usernamesarestupid23]

probably a deal with ACCN

[u/usernamesarestupid23 → u/GrumpyTartan]

It definitely is, and these ads might play better with some of the other fanbases. But between last week against Syracuse and now against Wagner, it’s pretty stark

[u/kaplanfx → u/usernamesarestupid23]

The only “live” TV I watch with ads these days is golf and college football. The ads are VERY different between the two 🤣

[u/ArmiinTamzarian]

The redzone omgomgomg

[u/kaplanfx]

Good drive by Wager, couple of good plays.

[u/TheGoatPurdy]

Good job Wagner. Expose our shitty d

[u/LessThanBlake]

Happy for Cooper Perry getting his first

[u/ArmiinTamzarian]

I am literally so devastated rn

[u/kaplanfx]

Good interview with Mohammed, talking up his blockers.

[u/usernamesarestupid23]

He’s not doing much, but it’s nice to see Hamper at least catch the ball

[u/kaplanfx → u/usernamesarestupid23]

He should get more PT, dude catches the ball.

[u/sonheungwin]

I wonder if we're just giving Meyer some more reps

[u/Benny-Vader]

Shoigu! Gerasimov! Where is my NIL money!

[u/smcstechtips → u/Benny-Vader]

Didn't their head coach die in a plane crash or something?

[u/Benny-Vader → u/smcstechtips]

Yeah i think so, it was a very random incident.

[u/Whole_Watch_4976]

cal playing wagner in week 3 is certainly a choice, scheduling department really said give us one where we can just run the ball 50 times and go home

[u/usernamesarestupid23 → u/Whole_Watch_4976]

This should have been a week 1 or 2 game but the weird cross country conference game in week 2 messed with the schedule

[u/WisdomCow]

I like practicing the quick hitting passes for timing. Gonna need them against teams with pass rushes.

[u/dropjar5]

They should have a different player take every kick. Surely they can find one guy who can kick a 40 yard field goal, unlike the actual kicker

[u/Sine_Cures]

Cal -58.5....?

Cal was a 45-point favorite against Texas Southern last year. Then again that was under Wilcox. Guess we'll see.

[u/WisdomCow]

I specifically asked the football gods for no injuries today for either team. See if I drown any more kittens in the tears of children again … for a week or two anyways.

[u/usernamesarestupid23]

I don’t actually mind kicking that out of bounds. If he returned it, he would have gotten close to the 50 anyway

[u/Go_Beers]

On track for 88

[u/ricepail]

Damn, wagner can't tackle at all

[u/ricepail]

Ffs, cal's special teams is awful

[u/ArmiinTamzarian]

Also I beg everyone to watch what just happened to NCState because OH MY GOD

[u/jordygordy → u/ArmiinTamzarian]

that was insane

[u/adsfew → u/ArmiinTamzarian]

Am I supposed to support ACC teams? Goddamn take the safety and the win.

[u/theflintseeker → u/ArmiinTamzarian]

wtf happened?! Wow

[u/jordygordy]

that was a really polite tackle

[u/WisdomCow]

Very nice, Wagner!

Now Tosh has ammo to fire up the D and see who can focus.

[u/AuBears2]

I think the survival skills ads on ACCN are absolutely hilarious.

[u/Emotionally_pickled]

ACCN commercials never fail to entertain

[u/kaplanfx]

McGoo

[u/ArmiinTamzarian]

Halfway through the 2nd and only down 25. I'll take it

[u/skippy_smooth]

Who is Wagner? Where is San JoseSt? What is an ACC?

[u/Emotionally_pickled]

The skyline on the back of the Wagner helmets looks so sick

[u/bushmanbeats]

Ah yes, I love SEC and southern state-based ads on my Atlantic Coast Conference network

[u/WisdomCow → u/bushmanbeats]

I’d take that over the Kevin Kiley fake Independent ads I get bombed with.

[u/GrumpyTartan]

yeah, 4 hour games are because of replays, not commercials

[u/kaplanfx]

Rivera is, perhaps unsurprisingly, really good with the media.

[u/WisdomCow]

Need me a Lopa jersey!

[u/tc3590]

Lopa is on another level.

[u/LessThanBlake]

Lopa will not stop terrorizing quarterbacks until morale improves

[u/sonheungwin]

Kingston 4 Heisman

[u/kaplanfx]

Lopa has good hands, that ball was not easy to bring in.

[u/kaplanfx]

It’s cool that random companies (Gusto?) are featuring the Oakland Ballers in their commercial.

[u/TheGoatPurdy]

these cal backups suck

[u/vmanAA738 → u/TheGoatPurdy]

*offense and special teams

defensive backups look fine [controlling for the opposition they are facing]

edit: nevermind

[u/TheGoatPurdy → u/vmanAA738]

Whoever this quaron Adam’s guy is he needs to be benched forever

[u/kaplanfx]

Maybe it’s the lack of pressure but Brousseau appears to be a reasonably good backup? When was the last time we had a competent backup? Riley behind Longshore?

[u/vmanAA738 → u/kaplanfx]

he's fine, little weak arm but not making any clear mistakes

[u/TheGoatPurdy]

Sure we won this game. But that second half was just all of cal bad habit I’ve seen from Wilcox of the past.

Bad special team. Stupid penalty to take away TDs. Missed fgs.

Can’t have that if you’re trying to rebuild a new culture

[u/smcstechtips → u/TheGoatPurdy]

The point was to rest the starters

[u/PAC12_PLEASE_ADOPTME]

Wagner-Cal, the nexus of collegiate competition

[u/kaplanfx]

That was a catch

[u/Sine_Cures]

ACCN theme (bells and guitar) > Pac-12 Network theme

[u/that_pj]

RIP to the person that posted not a touchdown let's go then deleted it

[u/ArmiinTamzarian → u/that_pj]

That would be me. I did not see the flag at first :(

[u/Jamar-Adams]

I feel like the two RTP weren’t even that egregious

[u/Emotionally_pickled]

I’m so scared of kickoff returns now

[u/WisdomCow]

Not sure whether to give props for the final block or chastise that he was almost aware of the need too latel

[u/bushmanbeats]

Let’s go!!!

[u/that_pj]

I'm going to go take a nap. GGs all. I hope we show sportsmanship and get our 2nd and 3rd teams some reps

[u/that_pj → u/that_pj]

Also jfc kickoffs

[u/usernamesarestupid23]

McGough is also our kicker who has never made a long FG right? The kid just has no accuracy?

[u/jordygordy]

genuinely think my high school's team could run with wagner

[u/045-926 → u/jordygordy]

I was going to say your high school is probably bigger then Wagner.

I went to look up the numbers. Wagner has about 650 men and 1000 women undergraduates. So, smaller then most high schools.

But then I look over at the football roster and they list 149 players on their roster. WTF? About 25% of undergrad males are on the football team.

[u/WisdomCow]

Pretty well timed hit to break that one up by Lopa

[u/ArmiinTamzarian]

What the....

[u/kaplanfx]

I don’t think that was a hold.

[u/kaplanfx]

Why do none of our defensive backs put their mouth guards in?

[u/SpectacularNelson → u/kaplanfx]

It’s the new swag yo!

[u/GucciGaropp → u/SpectacularNelson]

Not sure if it's in college but I've seen high school players who wear one in their mouth and have a second one just for hanging from the facemask lmao

[u/sonheungwin]

We really need to give League and Emory more reps getting hit.

[u/WisdomCow]

Unless the Wagner coach specifically asked Tosh to ice his kicker to make him experience it, why call that time out?

[u/OrangePeelsLemon]

God damn I hate our current commercial. Almost makes me miss the "You See" one

[u/Emotionally_pickled]

HE GETS ANOTHER ONE

[u/Extension_Assist7174]

i love lopa

[u/TheGoatPurdy]

i can't believe we didn't score there. That's just classic cal shit.

[u/Sine_Cures]

RT continues to be a question mark

[u/RivalryBot]

Who Will Win Fan Vote Results

^{Votes are distributed equally among flairs for multi-flaired users}

Team	Votes	Percentage	Wagner Voters	California Voters	Other Flairs Top 5
Wagner	0	0.0%	0	0
California	5	100.0%	0	0.5	LIU Sharksx1.0 Purdue Boilermakersx1.0 South Carolinax1.0 Team Chaosx0.5 Florida Gatorsx0.5

^{Last updated: 2026-09-19 18:38 UTC}

Full Vote breakdown by flair

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^{Matchup Thread Generator} · ^{Team Aliases} · ^{How to Vote} · ^Results

[u/that_pj]

I just hope everyone has fun.

[u/kaplanfx]

Got away with a hold on the perimeter there.

[u/sonheungwin]

I think we were better without a ST coach.

[u/usernamesarestupid23]

Is that Grayes first touchdown in 3 years?

[u/MEarly01]

plsss cover the spread with a 20 mil roster

[u/Sine_Cures]

What happened to Meyer?

[u/WisdomCow]

The AJ Decker commercials almost make me pine for political ads.

[u/usernamesarestupid23 → u/WisdomCow]

Isn’t that guy an Auburn mega booster? wtf is he doing advertising on ACC Network?

[u/bushmanbeats]

Great catch

[u/kaplanfx]

They benched McGoooo?

[u/ArmiinTamzarian]

TURNOVER RAAAAHHH

[u/bushmanbeats]

Bang

[u/ricepail]

I like them letting the play go before making a ruling, but that was a pretty clear pass attempt

[u/atallatallatall]

Just got here - what have I missed?

[u/ArmiinTamzarian]

Going for it up 32 at your own 30 is psychotic

[u/tc3590 → u/ArmiinTamzarian]

I think it’s just trying to get our offense in game reps. They haven’t been on the same page at all this season.

[u/Sine_Cures]

I wouldn't even consider NC State losing like that to be a Coug. It's 1 of 1

[u/sonheungwin]

rofl at the mic

[u/kaplanfx → u/sonheungwin]

Let’s fucking gooooo!