This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
To most other programs, it's a tune-up. For Cal, a win over FCS opponent Sacramento State means something.
It's not that they beat the Hornets, it's how they beat the Hornets: Convincingly. The 55-14 blowout is what FBS teams are supposed to do against lesser competition.
That wasn't the easiest task for the Golden Bears last year, as they slogged through coach Sonny Dykes' miserable first season in Berkeley. With only one win against FCS Portland State — and that coming only by a touchdown — Cal was never looking to win big, they just wanted to win.
Two weeks into the season, how quickly times have changed.
"We started so poorly in games last season, and we've worked on that a lot to where we can be leading in the second half," Dykes said Tuesday. "Mature teams handle these games the way they're supposed to: by continuing to focus and keep the pressure on."
Dykes is glad to be in a position where his Cal team can put pressure on others: Last season was one in which the Golden Bears took all the heat they could handle. On average, their opponents (45.9 ppg) scored twice as much as they did (23.0 ppg). Their one victory over the Vikings was tight, and almost every other game was a disaster.
Maybe it isn't a surprise that Cal knew how to handle a blowout: They've been in so many so far, just from the other side.
That's a frustrating way to start out, Dykes said. The team may be doing everything right — working hard on and off the field — but the results simply don't show up. The players have to pour a lot of faith into something they can't yet see.
"We needed to get better in so many ways," he said. "It all starts with the players, and those guys investing. You work hard, and you start to develop confidence."
Confidence isn't the only thing Cal has developed: Two weeks in, they actually appear to have a competitent team. Early season results are always accompanied by a grain of salt, but forgive the Bears for squeezing out what they can.
Jared Goff is one of the country's most efficient quarterbacks, and the run game has come alive with Daniel Lasco and change-of-pace quarterback Luke Rubenzer. Last week, Cal converted third down and red zone attempts, and looked like a real Division I-caliber offense.
Maybe the most marked change is on defense, where the Bears can actually stop opponents now. After letting Northwestern come back on them last week, they put their cleats on the Hornets' necks.
"I think our guys recognized we took our foot off the accelerator a little bit," Dykes said. "We'll keep pushing and moving forward."
That momentum slows this week, as the team rests up for its conference opener against Arizona with a bye. Sure, Dykes said, it would be nice to keep it rolling this weekend, but as long as the sun is shining in Berkeley, why not soak it up for one more week?