Conference Pacific-10 Conference 2008 record 9–4 (6–3 Pac-10) | Coaches No. 25 Offensive scheme Multiple | |
Head coach Jeff Tedford (7th year) Offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti (1st year) | ||
The 2008 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They played their home games at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California and are coached by Jeff Tedford. California hosted Michigan State to begin the season on August 30, 2008 and closed the season at home against the University of Washington on December 6, 2008. In addition to the slate of nine conference games, five at home and four on the road, the Golden Bears traveled to College Park, Maryland to play the Maryland Terrapins, while having hosted Michigan State and Colorado State.
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The Bears finished the regular season in fourth place in the Pac-10 and accepted a bid to the 2008 Emerald Bowl on December 27, where they defeated the Miami Hurricanes. The team improved on its 2007 season record of 7–6 to 9–4 and spent most of the season unranked, breaking into the AP Top 25 three times only to get knocked out each time following a loss. The Bears were finally ranked #25 in the Coaches' Poll and just missed getting into the AP Top 25 in January 2009.
Preseason
The aftermath of Cal's tumble from potentially being ranked in 2007 led Tedford to declare open competition on all positions. This included at quarterback, where Tedford had come under extreme criticism from the media and Golden Bears fans alike for his decision-making the previous year. Both Nate Longshore and Kevin Riley appeared to be at a standstill through fall practice. But in a surprise move, the younger and less experienced Riley was named the starter for the season opener. However, Tedford indicated that the quarterback competition was not over, and that Longshore would also see action against Michigan State (he would appear in the second quarter).
Cal's offseason also was noted by the Kevin Hart controversy, where the small town offensive linemen would claim he had been recruited by the Golden Bears, although the athletic department claimed never to be involved with him. Hart would later admit he made the whole thing up.
Aftermath
Cameron Morrah decided to forgo his senior season and declared for the NFL draft. He was invited to the NFL Combine alongside Rulon Davis, Anthony Felder, Zack Follett, Alex Mack, and Worrell Williams.
Following the departure of offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti for Pittsburgh, he was replaced by Andy Ludwig, who helped guide the Utah Utes to a perfect 13–0 season as offensive coordinator. Ludwig had previously worked alongside Cal head coach Jeff Tedford at Oregon and Fresno State, becoming the fifth offensive coordinator at Cal in five years.
Depth chart
These were the primary starters and backups through the 2008 season.
Mitchell Schwartz started all 13 games and was named a second-team Freshman All-American by College Football News, received the Bob Tessier Award as Cal's Most Improved Offensive Lineman, and received honorable mention Pac-10 All-Academic honors.