Bradley Northnagel and Khari Vanderbilt celebrate following Cal's win over Utah
11/22/2016 3:52 PM | Football, Inside The Lair
It is never easy to say goodbye.
But, inevitably, it happens every year.
While many families gather for Thanksgiving this week and share things for which they are grateful, a special group will likely ponder their departing words to their gridiron family.
After a season of highs and lows, the Golden Bears' senior group will play their final home game on Saturday against UCLA at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium.
Their last time to run through a cloud of smoke emitting from the inflatable bear, to run alongside teammates carrying the state of California's flag and that of their soon-to-be alma mater, will be an emotional time for the lot.
"It's going to be emotional, maybe even more so for my Mom than me," said Steven Moore, who has 47 consecutive starts, the most on the team. "I can see her getting teary-eyed. It was all worth it and I'm happy."
The graduating class' collegiate journey has been adverse; some experienced a coaching change, some a one-win season and others the pride of returning to a bowl game for the first time in four years. While their individual paths varied, they came together collectively on Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium. Though their final season leaves some somber, not one holds any regret.
"It's disappointing. My senior season is not what I wanted or what any of the guys wanted, but I'm confident in the guys that will still be here and what they're going to do next. I know I put everything I could into this program and I don't have any regrets because I did everything I could," added fifth-year senior Moore, who is one of three players remaining from Jeff Teford's tenure.
Accordingly, time has breezed by for the departing Bears and especially so for some of the transfers.
"It flew by faster than I expected," said junior college transfer Khari Vanderbilt. "The two years I spent here were the greatest experience of my life. I wish I could do it all over again.
"You have to cherish the moment while you're here because it'll go by faster than you expect," he said sagely. "I've learned to make the best of every situation you're in and I'll cherish the moments hanging out with my teammates."
For offensive leader Davis Webb, the time came and went, literally, as the quarterback ends his first and final season with California.
"The relationships I've built here have been unbelievable and I'm thankful for Coach (Sonny) Dykes giving me the opportunity," said Webb, who spent his first three seasons at Texas Tech. "There have been a lot of great memories in the short time I've been here. I'm always going to call this place my home. Whenever I'm asked where I went to college, I'm going to say Cal first because I love this place."
Head coach Dykes, in his fourth season at the helm, commended his eldest group for their determination.
"I'm really proud of the senior class and can't say enough positive things about them, especially the guys that have been here five years. They've been with the program through changes and the ups and downs we've had. I'd do anything in the world for them. They're pretty special to me and it's been fun to watch them grow up," Dykes said.
Among the fifth-year seniors is long snapper Bradley Northnagel, who came to the program as a walk-on, but was awarded a scholarship in his final season.
"It was a huge honor. I worked hard during my time at Cal and the coaches surprised me and my teammate Patrick Worstell," said Northnagel.
The San Carlos, Calif., native said that another moment was nearly as monumental.
"Being able to tell my future grandkids that I was able to beat Texas twice, in particular the one at home with them being ranked and the fans storming the field, is one of my greatest experiences at Cal," Northnagel said.
While these moments will remain in the books forever, their daily presence on the field will soon end. For Dykes, this is a time to make their goodbye just as memorable.
"I know they're all going to do great things moving forward," he said. "I really love these guys. We certainly want to send them out with a victory on Saturday."
But, inevitably, it happens every year.
While many families gather for Thanksgiving this week and share things for which they are grateful, a special group will likely ponder their departing words to their gridiron family.
After a season of highs and lows, the Golden Bears' senior group will play their final home game on Saturday against UCLA at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium.
Their last time to run through a cloud of smoke emitting from the inflatable bear, to run alongside teammates carrying the state of California's flag and that of their soon-to-be alma mater, will be an emotional time for the lot.
"It's going to be emotional, maybe even more so for my Mom than me," said Steven Moore, who has 47 consecutive starts, the most on the team. "I can see her getting teary-eyed. It was all worth it and I'm happy."
The graduating class' collegiate journey has been adverse; some experienced a coaching change, some a one-win season and others the pride of returning to a bowl game for the first time in four years. While their individual paths varied, they came together collectively on Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium. Though their final season leaves some somber, not one holds any regret.
"It's disappointing. My senior season is not what I wanted or what any of the guys wanted, but I'm confident in the guys that will still be here and what they're going to do next. I know I put everything I could into this program and I don't have any regrets because I did everything I could," added fifth-year senior Moore, who is one of three players remaining from Jeff Teford's tenure.
Accordingly, time has breezed by for the departing Bears and especially so for some of the transfers.
"It flew by faster than I expected," said junior college transfer Khari Vanderbilt. "The two years I spent here were the greatest experience of my life. I wish I could do it all over again.
"You have to cherish the moment while you're here because it'll go by faster than you expect," he said sagely. "I've learned to make the best of every situation you're in and I'll cherish the moments hanging out with my teammates."
For offensive leader Davis Webb, the time came and went, literally, as the quarterback ends his first and final season with California.
"The relationships I've built here have been unbelievable and I'm thankful for Coach (Sonny) Dykes giving me the opportunity," said Webb, who spent his first three seasons at Texas Tech. "There have been a lot of great memories in the short time I've been here. I'm always going to call this place my home. Whenever I'm asked where I went to college, I'm going to say Cal first because I love this place."
Head coach Dykes, in his fourth season at the helm, commended his eldest group for their determination.
"I'm really proud of the senior class and can't say enough positive things about them, especially the guys that have been here five years. They've been with the program through changes and the ups and downs we've had. I'd do anything in the world for them. They're pretty special to me and it's been fun to watch them grow up," Dykes said.
Among the fifth-year seniors is long snapper Bradley Northnagel, who came to the program as a walk-on, but was awarded a scholarship in his final season.
"It was a huge honor. I worked hard during my time at Cal and the coaches surprised me and my teammate Patrick Worstell," said Northnagel.
The San Carlos, Calif., native said that another moment was nearly as monumental.
"Being able to tell my future grandkids that I was able to beat Texas twice, in particular the one at home with them being ranked and the fans storming the field, is one of my greatest experiences at Cal," Northnagel said.
While these moments will remain in the books forever, their daily presence on the field will soon end. For Dykes, this is a time to make their goodbye just as memorable.
"I know they're all going to do great things moving forward," he said. "I really love these guys. We certainly want to send them out with a victory on Saturday."
Players Mentioned
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