No. 24 UNLV and California head into LA Bowl with out key items
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — A staff with out its head coach versus one other with out its beginning quarterback in a non-playoff bowl sport doesn’t qualify as unprecedented within the present and chaotic period of school soccer, however these are the circumstances No. 24 UNLV and California are attempting to navigate within the LA Bowl on Wednesday evening.
“It’s only a loopy world, and it’s persevering with to alter yearly,” Cal middle Will McDonald mentioned.
The Rebels noticed Barry Odom depart for the emptiness at Purdue on Dec. 8, lower than 48 hours faraway from a loss to Boise State within the Mountain West championship sport with a spot within the School Soccer Playoff at stake.
The Golden Bears gained’t have Fernando Mendoza after the two-year beginning quarterback introduced final Wednesday he was coming into the switch portal, lower than three weeks faraway from main a game-winning landing drive in opposition to rival Stanford and delivering an emotional postgame interview after retaining the Axe trophy and securing postseason eligibility.
“He fought for us all 12 months and put his physique on the road each single week, so all you are able to do is admire guys like that and want them luck of their subsequent adventures,” mentioned McDonald, who transferred to Cal as a sixth-year senior after taking part in at Coastal Carolina.
With out Mendoza, who threw for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns with six interceptions in 11 video games this season, Cal will flip to both sixth-year senior Chandler Rogers, fifth-year sophomore CJ Harris or freshman EJ Caminong.
Rogers began the season finale in opposition to No. 12 SMU when Mendoza was ailing however left with an damage, making Harris the likeliest alternative to start out. Harris started his profession at Ohio and made his Cal debut within the loss to the Mustangs, going 6 of 11 for 75 yards with an interception and speeding for 26 yards.
“Clearly, when your beginning quarterback will get within the portal, it creates some chaos,” McDonald mentioned. “However, I imply, we now have guys which might be able to play. CJ has been ready for this chance all season, so he’ll be able to go. The offense shall be able to go. I imply, you type of received to count on this stuff are going to occur in school soccer. I imply, it’s actually taking place in every single place.”
Del Alexander, a local of Los Angeles who performed vast receiver at Southern California earlier than changing into a well-traveled school assistant, is the interim coach for UNLV. Alexander could have all three coordinators for the sport, together with Brennan Marion overseeing his dynamic “go go” offense.
Cal shall be counting on a committee method to calling performs after Mike Bloesch was stripped of offensive coordinator duties on Dec. 3. Former Boise State and Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin has been employed to take over as offensive coordinator however won’t be concerned within the bowl sport.
UNLV fifth-year senior vast receiver Ricky White III has been an offensive catalyst with 79 receptions for 1,041 yards and 11 touchdowns.
“And he’s blocked 4 punts,” Cal head coach Justin Wilcox mentioned. “What an unbelievable stat that’s. I imply, for a man who’s actually an incredible receiver to be that lively and such a menace on the punt block unit is one thing we’re clearly taking a number of time to work on.”
White, who has extra blocked punts than any FBS staff this season, was named Mountain West particular groups participant of the 12 months.
UNLV fifth-year senior linebacker Jackson Woodard led the staff in tackles , tackles for loss , fumbles recovered and tied for the lead in go breakups . Woodard, who additionally intercepted 4 passes and had 3 1/2 sacks, was named the Mountain West defensive participant of the 12 months and a finalist for the Campbell Trophy, colloquially referred to as the “Tutorial Heisman.”
Cal fifth-year senior cornerback Nohl Williams is from Oxnard, California, about 60 miles northeast of SoFi Stadium, and began his profession at UNLV.
“Like that is the way in which I wish to exit, taking part in in opposition to my outdated staff in L.A.,” mentioned Williams, who was named first staff All-ACC after making an FBS-best seven interceptions. “I’m not numb to this sense, and I’m very excited for the chance, so I’m simply able to carry out.”
Mendoza isn’t the one notable absence for Cal’s passing offense as second-year freshman vast receiver Nyziah Hunter can also be within the portal. Hunter led the staff in receiving yards and landing catches .
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