Feb. 9, 2007

STANFORD - California took its record to 13-0 with yet another starting lineup on Friday, marching to a 60-0 road win over Stanford. Cal maintained control of the match through wet weather and set up many fluid back plays thanks to solid platforms set by the forwards. Seven Bears scored a total of 10 tries, while the Cardinal struggled to find purchase on Cal's side of the field. The two teams will square off again on Witter Rugby Field for Cal's 125th Anniversary Homecoming celebration on March 17.

All-American No. 8 Louis Stanfill was given the day off, but that did not stop the forwards from delivering good possession through relentless rucks and mauls, which allowed Cal to control the match's tempo. A slippery ball was also unable to deter the Bears from establishing possession and delivering clean service to the backs. "We scrummed a lot with a wet ball and I thought we did pretty well in that area," prop Kevin Kroll said.

The Bears succeeded in winning most lineouts as well, whether it was their throw-in or not, and kept the push going forward. Said scrumhalf Brendan Wright, "Our forwards have been doing a good job driving the lineouts and we're getting better use of the ball through our hands in the backs."

The back line appears to be jelling as Cal approaches the most difficult stretch of its schedule, with an away game at Sacramento State on Wednesday followed by a home match against Army next Saturday. "Over these last couple of games, getting used to playing with Gary Golding [at center] and Brendan at scrumhalf, we're communicating better and meshing better as a back line," said flyhalf Pat Castles. "All the guys are talking a lot to me and that makes my job a whole lot easier."

Cal's improved cohesion spelled trouble for the Cardinal, which could not find any continuity against the Bears. "I don't think we established anything, to be honest," said Stanford head coach Jonathan Griffin. "Cal were outstanding. Their work at the breakdown is superb and that allows them to take the pace, speed it up or slow it down. They controlled all facets of the game."

Cal does not exit the afternoon overconfident after the first of two clashes with the Cardinal. "We did not perform to the level we'd like and that's going to give them some vigor," said flanker Rikus Pretorius of the upcoming rematch to be played on Witter Rugby Field.

The Scoring Timeline vs. Stanford:

04:00 Gary Golding 5, Chris Gurecki 2

08:00 Rikus Pretorius 5

17:00 Chase Brogan 5, Chris Gurecki 2

31:00 Chris Gurecki 5

37:00 Brendan Wright 5

Half Time: California 29, Stanford 0

45:00 Chase Brogan 5, Chris Gurecki 2

58:00 Scott Kidd 5, Chris Gurecki 2

68:00 Chris Gurecki 5

73:00 Gary Golding 5

77:00 Dustin Watson 5, Chris Gurecki 2

Final Score: California 60, Stanford 0

The Team vs. Stanford:

15. Gurecki, 14. Harris, 13. Brogan © (D. Watson @ 63:00), 12. Golding, 11. Kidd, 10. Castles (Poettcker @ 63:00), 9. Wright, 1. Wilhelmy, 2. Biller, 3. Kroll, 4. Fry, 5. Cross (Jesseman @ 63:00), 6. Welch, 7. Pretorius (Balough @ 63:00), 8. Biestman