Fresno Bee: 2011 Fresno State vs. Cal Football Game Still in Works

Link.

Fans waiting for the official announcement of the Fresno State-Cal football game in 2011 must stay patient on this one.  "We've been talking, still been talking," Fresno State athletic director Thomas Boeh said. "No time frame on that one. "We need to get everybody motivated," he added with a chuckle.

Boeh, Cal coach Jeff Tedford and Cal athletic director Sandy Barbour have spoken previously this summer about the proposed neutral site matchup, but no definitive date or agreement has been announced.  Tedford, a former Fresno State quarterback, did not respond to interview requests made through the Cal media relations department; spokesman Herb Benenson said Barbour and the associate athletic director who handles football contracts are out of the office and unavailable for comment.

Fresno State and Cal last played in 2000, when the Bulldogs won 17-3 at Bulldog Stadium. In the teams' other meeting, Fresno State beat Cal 25-24 at Memorial Stadium in 1995.

Chris Martin Transfer to Florida

Max Preps reports that Chris Martin is transferring to Florida.  Read the article here.

New York Times: A New Chapter for the Cubs and U.S.C.

Read the article here.

Top Recruit Chris Martin Transferring From Cal

From the Daily Cal:

Chris Martin, one of the top recruits from Cal's 2010 signing class, has announced his intention to transfer out due to "distractions."  The Oakland native, rated as a five-star defensive end by Rivals.com, and was expected to log significant playing time in the Bears' 3-4 defense - likely converting to outside linebacker.  "My decision to transfer definitely does not reflect on the football program or the academics at Cal," he said in a press release. "Rather, I feel like for me to focus and truly reach my potential I need to leave many of the distractions I have here at home in the Bay Area.  "I need to venture away from home and start my college career somewhere else where I don't have those distractions."  Martin played for three seasons at Oakland's Bishop O'Dowd High School, but spent his senior year at Grandview High in Aurora, Colo. In a Denver Post article last September, he attributed his departure to "bad blood" with the coach, as well as people who "didn't have his best interest in mind" entering his social circle.

He has not yet disclosed which school he will be transferring to.  The 6-foot-5 defensive end had previously committed to Notre Dame, but reneged after former coach Charlie Weis' firing last November. Along with safety/wide receiver Keenan Allen, Martin's commitment signaled the first time in program history that Cal had inked two five-star recruits in the same year. The haul, which also included four-star defensive standouts such Gabe King and Chris McCain, buoyed Cal's class to No. 11 in the nation.

 

Blogger note: Good riddance to the little prima donna. 

Online Sports Handicapping Prediction: Cal Finishes Outside of Top 25 and plays in Small Tier Bowl

Here’s the article.

 

Excerpt:

Without a proven passing game the offense could struggle with balance. RB Shane Vereen is a stud that will be running behind a veteran O-line but QB Kevin Riley has been wildly inconsistent. Kevin did improve last season and is one of the better QB’s in college football but when he played bad he played really bad. Riley has a legit game-breaker in WR Marvin Jones but the rest of the wideouts are mediocre. This is decent offense but it will struggle against the better defenses of the NCAA.

Whiteside May Not Be Academically Eligible

AP Writes:  Heralded recruit Cecil Whiteside has yet to report to Cal for summer activities, and his eligibility for this football season is uncertain.  Whiteside, ranked as the No. 4 outside linebacker prospect in the country by rivals.com, has been touted as someone who would compete for immediate playing time.  Bears coach Jeff Tedford said Whiteside is "tending to some academic issues" back home in Newport Beach.  All of Cal's incoming players were required to report to Berkeley on June 25 for the Summer Bridge program, which prepares incoming students for their academic workload. The freshmen and transfers also begin working out informally with their new teammates. But Whiteside has yet to be cleared to play by the NCAA.

 

The Contra Costa Times writes:  Heralded recruit Cecil Whiteside has yet to report to Cal for summer activities, and his eligibility for the upcoming season is uncertain. Bears coach Jeff Tedford said Whiteside is "tending to some academic issues" and is back home in Newport Beach. All of Cal's incoming players were required to report to Berkelely on June 25 for the Summer Bridge program, which prepares incoming students for their academic workload. The freshmen and transfers also begin working out informally with their new teammates. But Whiteside has yet to be cleared to play by the NCAA, and there is a chance he won't be in time for the 2010 season. It would be a significant blow to lose Whiteside, who was ranked as the No. 4 outside linebacker prospect in the country by rivals.com and was expected to compete for immediate playing time. Cal begins training camp Aug. 7.  Note: Redshirt freshman offensive tackle Charles Ragland is transferring to College of San Mateo to improve his academic standing. He's expected to return to Cal in the spring.

Kyle Boller to Wed Carrie Prejean on Friday

From the Dallas News:
Carrie Prejean, the deposed Miss California USA, and Kyle Boller, quarterback for the Oakland Raiders, are getting married Friday at the Grand Del Mar resort in San Diego. They've been engaged since February. Prejean, once a daily talking point for the media, has been lying low since releasing her memoir, Still Standing, in November 2009. That capped a year in which she got fired by the pageant, sued, then settled when her indiscreet videotape was exposed.