After further review...

Greetings.

Well, better late than never. Should have blogged this last night but other things got in the way.

In any case, here are some thoughts on Cal's 35-21 victory over the Gophers:

1. There is no question the Gophers are a better team than they were last year, at least on defense, where there is more athletic ability at the disposal of the co-coordinators. Cal came out blazing, looking unstoppable. And yet the Gophers did a pretty good job slowing the Bears in the second half until a bunch of turnovers put them in bad spots.

I really liked the 3-4 look the Gophers gave Cal, with Keanon Cooper as the speedy fourth linebacker. I wonder if Kevin Cosgrove and Ronnie Lee would use it more going forward. I think the Gophers personnel seems to match up well with that scheme, but that's just me.

The secondary should receive a boost when Marcus Sherels returns at corner; the dbs were giving up too much space on the line of scrimmage for my taste.

2. Did you see that Northwestern lost, at home, to Syracuse? Or that Air Force beat New Mexico. I think both of those victories by the Gophers look pretty good right now. And I think having played Cal and the speed it brought to the table will only help the Gophers going forward.

As the game progressed offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch had Weber doing more rolling out away from pressure. Not a bad idea as Weber is pretty accurate on the run. But the Gophers have to figure how to get better play from the line. I can't forget that first Gophers drive Saturday. Cal drives down and scores, but the Gophers use a trick play on the ensuing kickoff and get great field position. Then, on the first play, false start by Wills sabotages the drive before it can officially begin?

4. All fans should hope Eric Decker's sprained left ankle -- the same one as last year -- isn't bad.

5. Looks like Hayo Carpenter is starting to work his way into the mix.

6. I have to say I really like Brandon Green. He isn't making a ton of catches, but he seems to catch everything thrown his way and seems to get open in the clutch.