Former Cal Golden Bear Darius Allensworth reveals that he considered going to USC

There’s a reason Lane Kiffin couldn’t offer a #USC scholarship to Darius Allensworth. Find out in this @DonJamesSports Q and A.

Darius Allensworth played in 43 games with 22 starts from 2013-2017 at Cal Berkeley. He contributed 109 tackles along with 6.5 tackles for loss (-41 yards), 2.0 sacks (-10 yards) and three interceptions. He also had one fumble recovery which he returned 37 yards for his lone career touchdown as a 2017 senior.

More Allensworth stats: three forced fumbles, 26 passes defended, and 23 pass breakups over his last four seasons with the Cal program after redshirting as a true freshman in 2013.

Allensworth put up most of his top career numbers as a 2015 sophomore, when he started all 13 games and had several career highs, including a team-high 12 passes defended and 11 pass breakups. He produced a team-high-tying two forced fumbles, 41 tackles, and his first career interception.

Cal takes on USC this week, so we sat down with the former Cal Golden Bear to talk about growing up in Southern California and more.

Trojans Wire: What did growing up in Southern California mean to you during the USC “golden years” of Carroll, Bush and Leinart?

Allensworth: That era made me love football! It looked like they were having so much fun playing under a coach that was one of the first of his kind.

I say that because Pete Carroll was a player’s coach before it was cool to be one in that era.

Trojans Wire: What was your favorite moment in the Cal vs USC series as a player?

Allensworth: I honestly don’t have one, but playing in the Coliseum was cool.

Trojans Wire: Did you ever consider going to USC to be a Trojan?

Allensworth: I did, but Lane Kiffin and his staff couldn’t offer me after I tore my ACL. They only had 13 scholarship offers because of the Reggie Bush rule situation.

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Oregon vs Cal Prediction, Game Preview

Oregon vs Cal game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 9 game on Saturday, October 29

Oregon vs Cal prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 9, Saturday, October 29


Oregon vs Cal How To Watch

Date: Saturday, October 29
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA
How To Watch: FS1
Record: Oregon (6-1), Cal (3-4)
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Oregon vs Cal Game Preview

Why Oregon Will Win

The Ducks passed the big test.

They were able to get through a slew of decent games after the disaster against Georgia, but they didn’t play anyone like UCLA. With a dominant offensive balance and the defense rising up, more and more they’re looking like the star of the Pac-12.

The offensive line has been fantastic, the offense is averaging over 500 yards per game, and an early burst of points should be enough to take out a relatively punchless Cal team that’s having problems coming up with more than 21 points.

NFL Expert Picks, Week 8

Why Cal Will Win

The Bears have to keep things moving and do whatever they can to slow the game down. They’re not all that bad in the time of possession battle, and this week they get an Oregon defense that’s solid, but it’s among the worst in the nation in third down stops.

The Ducks have a hard time getting the D off the field, penalties are an issue, and for all the positives, coming up with takeaways hasn’t been all that easy. Cal might not move the ball with ease – especially on the ground – but it doesn’t turn it over with just four giveaways.

The Bears have to be perfect, the good run defense has to be great, and …

– Game Previews, Predictions CollegeNFL

What’s Going To Happen

Oregon has too much offense and too many options.

The offensive line play has been stellar – everyone is getting time to work. Cal can get into the backfield a little bit, but it won’t be enough to matter. Give it a quarter, and then the burst will come.

Cal and QB Jack Plummer will come up with decent yards through the air, but it won’t be enough.

College Football Expert Picks, Week 9

Oregon vs Cal Prediction, Line

Oregon 38, Cal 21
Line: Oregon -17.5, o/u: 58.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Oregon vs Cal Must See Rating (out of 5): 3
Predictions of Every Game

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Marshawn Lynch shares a funny Justin Forsett story, tests ESPN censors

He is who he is at all times and in all places, which can make for some awkward moments on live television.

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Marshawn Lynch is one of the most popular players in Seahawks history. Being an all-time great running back is part of it, but people love Lynch because of his authenticity. Code-switching isn’t part of his repertoire – he is who he is at all times and in all places, which can make for some awkward moments on live television.

On Saturday Lynch was a guest on ESPN’s broadcast for Cal’s game against Washington. Former Seattle running back Justin Forsett (also a Cal alum) was also a part of the crew – and Lynch shared a funny Forsett story during the show. (NSFW)

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Washington vs Cal Prediction, Game Preview

Washington vs Cal game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 8 game on Saturday, October 22

Washington vs Cal prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 8, Saturday, October 22


Washington vs Cal How To Watch

Date: Saturday, October 22
Game Time: 10:30 ET
Venue: California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: Washington (5-2), Cal (3-3)
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Washington vs Cal Game Preview

Why Washington Will Win

The Huskies got a chance to reset.

The hot team a few weeks ago after a dominant performance over Michigan State, it beat Stanford – a better win than it might have seemed at the time – and then the wheels came off in losses to UCLA and Arizona State.

The passing attack never stopped working, though, and it all kicked in with a 516-yard day against Arizona in a must-have win.

Now it all has to work against a Cal team that’s been fine, but wildly inconsistent.

Your season isn’t going that great if you lose to Colorado.

All of a sudden the O stopped scoring, and the D that was so good against Notre Dame and looked promising early is getting hammered hard through the air.

Enter Michael Penix Jr. and the No. 1 passing attack in college football. It’s going to have some fun against a Cal defense that doesn’t generate enough of a pass rush.

NFL Expert Picks, Week 7

Why Cal Will Win

Is there really a road thing happening with Washington?

Cal might have suffered the bigger setback in the Pac-12 with the loss to Colorado, losing at Arizona State after losing at UCLA wasn’t a good look.

The Bears might not have the high-powered offense to keep up the pace, but they’re not screwing up. The penalties are kept to a minimum and the two costly giveaways against Colorado were an anomaly with just two turnovers in the first five games.

Washington’s defense hasn’t been forcing takeaways. The offense hasn’t had a big problem with mistakes, but the two interceptions against UCLA changed the tone of the game.

Cal has to be at least +2 in turnover margin, it has to keep Washington from owning the time of possession battle, and the offense has to do what Arizona State did and be balanced and score whenever it gets a shot.

– Game Previews, Predictions CollegeNFL

What’s Going To Happen

Washington won’t be perfect, but it’ll be good enough.

Cal’s defense will be great against the Husky running game, but it’ll give up 300 passing yards with the offense not generating anything on the ground to control the clock.

The Huskies will start out hot and Cal won’t be able to make up the stagger.

College Football Expert Picks, Week 8

Washington vs Cal Prediction, Line

Washington 34, Cal 23
Line: Washington -7.5, o/u: 56.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
Washington vs Cal Must See Rating (out of 5): 3
Predictions of Every Game

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Cal vs Colorado Prediction, Game Preview

Cal vs Colorado game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 7 game on Saturday, October 15

Cal vs Colorado prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 7, Saturday, October 15


Cal vs Colorado How To Watch

Date: Saturday, October 15
Game Time: 2:00 ET
Venue: Folsom Field, Boulder, CO
How To Watch: Pac-12 Network
Record: Cal (3-2), Colorado (0-5)
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Cal vs Colorado Game Preview

Why Cal Will Win

Colorado still hasn’t been able to figure it out.

The Buffaloes have had two weeks off, but the team didn’t suddenly get better just because head coach Karl Dorrell is gone.

Scoring is still going to be a problem, the defense that’s the worst in the nation in third down stops, the second-worst overall, and the third-worst in scoring D are all still issues.

Cal is quietly playing well. It clunked against an underappreciated Washington State defense in a 28-9 loss, but the ground game should be able to do whatever it wants.

Be shocked if the Bears don’t run for well over 200 yards.

NFL Expert Picks, Week 6

Why Colorado Will Win

Maybe the time off will work wonders.

As we’ve seen across the country this season, teams tend to exhale – Nebraska, Georgia Tech, Wisconsin, and Arizona State – and play just well enough to come up with a win.

There are enough parts in place to be far better, and it has to start with getting more from the lines. Cal’s offensive line gives up way too many sacks and the defensive front doesn’t get into the backfield enough.

– Schedules, Previews CollegeNFL

What’s Going To Happen

Cal getting a little time off will make all of the difference.

The running game should reappear after the issues against Wazzu, the passing attack will keep things moving, and … again, the running game.

Colorado allows close to 300 yards per game on the ground, and it won’t be able to take control of the game with the Bears doing too much to control the tempo.

College Football Expert Picks, Week 7

Cal vs Colorado Prediction, Line

Cal 37, Colorado 20
Line: Cal -14.5, o/u: 48.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
Cal vs Colorado Must See Rating (out of 5): 2
Predictions of Every Game

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Washington State vs Cal Prediction, Game Preview

Washington State vs Cal game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 5 game on Saturday, October 1

Washington State vs Cal prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 5, Saturday, October 1


Washington State vs Cal How To Watch

Date: Saturday, October 1
Game Time: 5:30 ET
Venue: Martin Stadium, Pullman, WA
How To Watch: Pac-12 Network
Record: Washington State (3-1), Cal (3-1)
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Washington State vs Cal Game Preview

Why Cal Will Win

Everyone saw the Bears come up just short in the loss to Notre Dame, but they’ve been very quietly playing very, very well.

The 20-14 win over UNLV seemed like too close of a call against a mediocre team, but as it turns out, it was a strong defensive performance against a breakthrough offensive team.

Arizona was coming in off a big win over North Dakota State, and it couldn’t stop anything the Cal tried to do on the ground.

The team has been relatively adaptable. It got a good defensive performance against the Irish, got Jack Plummer and the passing game going in then first few weeks, and last week Jayden Ott ran for 274 yards and four scores against the Wildcats.

Control the clock, win the turnover battle – it can and should do both in this, but …

NFL Expert Picks, Week 4

Why Washington State Will Win

The Cougars have been great.

They survived Wisconsin with a few key takeaways in a gut check performance when the offense wasn’t going well, they got into a wild fourth quarter shootout in the loss last week to Oregon, and all along they’ve been solid up front.

The pass rush has been among the best in the nation so far, the running game has had its moments – even if that’s not the team’s mode of transportation – and transfer QB Cameron Ward has shown his experience and ability through  tight moments and a few mistakes.

The team should be able to pull this off at home, but …

– Schedules, Previews CollegeNFL

What’s Going To Happen

Can Cal with the turnover battle?

The Bears have been air tight with the ball so far with just two turnovers, and Washington has had issues with mistakes.

The Cougars have turned if over ten times in four games with at least two giveaways in each. They’ve been able to survive the problems, but the giveaways will keep Cal in this.

And then Ward and the passing attack will overcome the errors.

CFN Expert Picks, Week 5

Washington State vs Cal Prediction, Line

Washington State 30, Cal 24
Line: Washington State -4.5, o/u: 53.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Washington State vs Cal Must See Rating (out of 5): 3.5

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Arizona vs Cal Prediction, Game Preview

Arizona vs Cal game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 4 game on Saturday, September 24

Arizona vs Cal prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 4, Saturday, September 24


Arizona vs Cal How To Watch

Date: Saturday, September 24
Game Time: 5:30 ET
Venue: California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA
How To Watch: Pac-12 Network
Record: Arizona (2-1), Cal (2-1)
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Arizona vs Cal Game Preview

Why Arizona Will Win

The win over North Dakota State was massive.

That’s not just any old FCS team that Arizona took down. That’s probably the eventual national champion that made its name by taking out FBS teams to go along with all of the playoff success.

The Wildcats held up. They didn’t turn the ball over, they got hit with one penalties – flags haven’t been a problem – and the passing game was effective enough to keep things moving in the 31-28 win.

Even with the loss to a high-powered Mississippi State team and it’s passing game, the secondary has been great, there’s no real worry about the Cal ground game, and …

CFN Expert Picks, Week 4

Why Cal Will Win

Cal was within a bobbled ball away from possibly being 3-0.

Granted, it would’ve taken overtime against Notre Dame if the last gasp Hail Mary was answered, but the team held up well, the defense was solid, and now it has a chance to get off to a good start in the Pac-12 with a home game it must win.

The Cal offense has yet to lose a fumble, there aren’t enough penalties to matter, and the two interceptions didn’t make a difference. Arizona might be good, but it needs help with a few breaks, and it’s not going to get them.

In an even game, it might be as simple as this – who has the better field position?

Arizona has one of the worst punting games in the Pac-12 so far, Cal leads all conference teams averaging 42.6 yards per boot, and …

Week 4 Schedule, Predictions, Game Preview

What’s Going To Happen

Does Cal have enough offense to push through?

Mississippi State has one of the nation’s best passing games – that got it done against the Wildcats. North Dakota State has one of the best offenses in the FCS – that made it interesting with close to 300 rushing yards. Cal was able to throw well on UC Davis and UNLV, but Arizona is a bit more efficient than those two.

Don’t expect fireworks. Neither offense will be able to open it up, the Cal defense will be just a wee bit better at getting off the field, and special teams will make a big difference.

NFL Expert Picks, Week 3

Arizona vs Cal Prediction, Line

Cal 24, Arizona 20
Line: Cal -3, o/u: 49.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5
Arizona vs Cal Must See Rating (out of 5): 3

College coaches all over America this week are raising awareness and research dollars for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a progressive genetic disorder that takes the lives of young men. Fans can donate to Coach To Cure MD online or by texting the word CURE to 501501 to give $25.

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Five keys for Notre Dame defeating North Carolina

What are your keys?

These two teams are polar opposites of each other. One, Notre Dame, brings in a defense that is among the best squads in the country while they struggle on offense. North Carolina trots out one of the best offenses nationally but their defense won’t help the cause much. There are ways for the Irish to get a much needed road victory and here are five keys for them to do so.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeFChen

Notre Dame beats Cal: best photos as Irish win in green

The green jerseys were popping on Saturday. Check out the best photos here

Notre Dame stopped their three-game skid with a 24-17 win over Cal on Saturday, the first win of the year and the first victory of the Marcus Freeman era.  He improves to 1-3 all-time as a head coach and Notre Dame improves to 5-0 all-time against Cal.

It wasn’t the prettiest of things but it was enough to land the Irish in the win column.  Drew Pyne overcame a slow start to be effective enough for Notre Dame win while the offensive and defensive lines both made life difficult in the second half for their Pac-12 opponent.

Before we turn the page to North Carolina who Notre Dame takes a trip to take on next week, here’s some of the best photos from the 24-17 Fighting Irish victory over Cal.

Notre Dame beats Cal: Marcus Freeman discusses first career win as head coach

Congrats to Freeman on win No. 1!

Notre Dame picked up their first win of the 2022 season on Saturday with a stressful but ultimately successful afternoon against previously unbeaten Cal.  It didn’t come easy but at the end of the day it feels a ton better than an 0-3 start would have.

Marcus Freeman met the media following the victory and discussed his first career victory, improved performances on both the offensive and defensive lines, the play of quarterback Drew Pyne, and plenty more.

Before we flip the script to North Carolina who awaits the Irish next week, let’s check out everything Freeman had to say during his press conference.  Check out his quotes in entirety below.