For the Fans

In the grand scheme of things, the fake field goal touchdown was just one play. For the psyche of the Cal fan, however, it meant so much more.

After three years of futility, blowout loss after blowout loss, and a sense of hopelessness surrounding the Cal football program, it was critical for Sonny Dykes to symbolically wake up the fan base and announce that a new day had come. Dykes was presented with that opportunity right away and he took it - resulting in one of the more memorable plays in Memorial Stadium history.


As most have written ten times over, it remains to be seen whether Dykes is truly a great coach. But what can't really be disputed (even through week one of his tenure) is how much Dykes understands the importance of connecting with a home team's fan base. 

Even though the Bears ultimately lost, that first drive to start the Dykes tenure was therapeutic for the Cal fan, especially given all that the faithful had experienced lately. Cal fans desperately needed something to shout for, something to, "hey, did you see that?!" as they turned to their friends and rejoiced together.

At times, there is a poetic justice in athletics and Cal's first drive was very much a symbolic thank you to Memorial Stadium for sticking through some rough times.

After the game, Dykes acknowledged as much:

“I thought we needed to play incredibly aggressive. I thought our players needed to see as coaches we were playing to win, not to not lose. It was important to send that message to our players and, quite frankly, to our fans.”

GO BEARS!