The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl will be California's first bowl appearance since the 2011 season, but it will also be the final collegiate game for the Golden Bear seniors, including five receivers – Stephen Anderson, Trevor Davis, Maurice Harris, Darius Powe and Bryce Treggs.
Better late than never, as far as the seniors are concerned.
As Treggs put it, tomorrow's game will be bittersweet.
"On one hand, I’m excited to move on to the next chapter in my life, but I’m going to miss all of these guys I’ve been playing with," he said. "We’ve been through so much trying to get to a bowl game the past three years, and now we’re finally in our first bowl game as a unit."
Not all of the seniors are looking at this game as the end of the journey, though. Powe is looking at this game as a chance to show the college football world how much this team has improved since finishing 1-11 in 2013. He said its Cal’s time to put on a show for everyone to see.
The receivers all agreed that one of the things they're going to miss the most is their chemistry on and off the field. They're all selfless on the field, celebrating whenever somebody in the group scores as if it was a touchdown of their own. Off the field, they're good friends always making each other laugh.
From patting each other on the back when somebody scores, to joking around in the locker room, to celebrating last-second victories, this group has been through a plethora of ups and downs during their time in Berkeley. They’re looking for one more chance to celebrate together in Texas tomorrow.
"We know each other really well and we’ve all become really good friends,” Davis said. “It’s also the chemistry that we’ve built with Jared [Goff], but I’m going to miss the friendships we’ve built off the field. Things won’t be the same after this game."
Anderson said he's been reminiscing about his collegiate career during the team's preparation for the game this week. Whether in Berkeley or on the road, as long as the receivers are in a room together, you’ll find them laughing about something.
This experience has made Anderson wish the Bears had been in more bowl games in recent years, but he also believes that everything happens for a reason. Sharing this bowl experience for the first time with this group makes it all the more special for him.
"A few years ago, we weren’t good enough to earn a spot in a bowl game, but putting in all the work that we did, and now being able to play in a bowl game, I’m really happy and proud about that," Anderson said. "I’m glad I get a chance to represent this university in a game that will be televised when no other games are on. Everybody will be watching us.
"This is what football is all about. You start with just a group of individuals, but you go through the good times and the bad times together and that leads you to become a family. You learn valuable lessons together and hopefully end up on top in the end. We all learned the same lessons at the same time. We’re looking for one more victory because we will move on with our lives when this game ends."
Fifth-year seniors Anderson and Harris were on the roster when the Bears last played in a bowl game in the 2011 Holiday Bowl, but neither played in the game. Harris said that he got an idea of what the bowl experience was like back in 2011, but he's been waiting throughout the rest of his collegiate career to play in a bowl game.
Air Force will have its hands full trying to figure out which of these receivers to cover, as Cal finished the regular season as the only team in the nation with six receivers that had at least 35 catches, 450 yards receiving and two touchdown catches. The team's five senior receivers junior Kenny Lawler make up the group that gives quarterback Jared Goff and the Cal offense six big-play receivers.
Having so many weapons is what has really helped the Bears set school records for passing yardage (4,425), passing touchdowns (38) and total offense (6,293) in 2015 while currently ranking fourth nationally in passing offense (368.8 ypg) and ninth in total offense (524.4 ypg). When all the receivers are making plays and keeping defenses guessing, they know that's when this offense is the hardest to stop.
The outgoing Bears would love nothing more than to end their collegiate careers celebrating a few more touchdowns and one last victory together.
“It’s been a rollercoaster throughout my time here, but we’re looking to go out and finish on a high note,” Treggs said. “We want to send everybody out with one more victory. We’re going to take advantage of every moment. We’re going to play it like it’s our last game because it really is our last game at Cal. You’re not going to see anybody being lazy. We’re going to be explosive and everybody will be at their best.”
