BERKELEY — Cal will be virtually at full strength for Saturday’s 124th Big Game at Stanford.
The Bears (3-6, 2-4 Pac-12) released an updated depth chart Tuesday, and coach Justin Wilcox confirmed that players included there will be available to face the Cardinal (3-7, 2-6).
That includes quarterback Chase Garbers, one of 24 players who tested positive for COVID-19 and did not make the trip to Arizona two weeks ago, where the Bears lost 10-3 to the Wildcats.
The only apparent exceptions are two starting offensive linemen, left tackle Will Craig, who remains sidelined with an ankle injury, and right guard McKade Mettauer, who was held out of the Arizona game and still is not available.
“There are still a few people out but we feel good about this group,” Wilcox said. “The majority of them will be at practice today.”
Since the outbreak surfaced, Cal reportedly had 47 or more players, coaches and staff test positive. Many of them already have returned to the stadium for regular activities.
Without enough players who were cleared to play last week, Cal worked with USC to reschedule their game to Dec. 4. The Bears and Trojans will play at Memorial Stadium at 8 p.m.
“Last week there was a limited number of available bodies so we weren’t able to have a traditional practice,” Wilcox said. “We did what we could.”
Cal played perhaps its two best games prior to the outbreak, beating Colorado 26-3 and Oregon State 39-25. Wilcox sounded like he expects the Bears to restore that momentum this week.
“We would expect to go out and play well,” he said.
The Bears need to win their three remaining games to become bowl eligible, and Wilcox said his players are excited as he’s ever seen them.
“Going into that team meeting (Monday), just the energy, it felt like the first day of fall camp,” he said. “They’re very, very eager to practice and play. Focused on moving forward and not necessarily talking about what has happened.”
Center Matthew Cindric, who said he feels fine after getting past his 10 days of COVID isolation, believes the Bears are ready to pick up where they left off before the outbreak.
“Yesterday in practice, it almost felt like I never left,” he said. “Today, I think it’ll be back to where we were and hopefully keep that rhythm.”
Senior defensive back Josh Drayden will play his 53rd career game on Saturday to set an all-time program record.
“Nobody is looking forward to this season being over,” he said. “This is three guaranteed games we have, and we want to make that four.”
WILCOX AND WASHINGTON: In the wake of Washington firing head coach Jimmy Lake on Sunday, Wilcox’s name has been floated — among many others — as a potential candidate for the Huskies.
Asked about that chatter, Wilcox said, “I don’t get chatter from anywhere other than on this call. Here’s what I’d say: I’m very, very fortunate to have the job I have. I think extremely highly of our players, not only their ability as football players but I love coaching these guys.
“A million people would love to have my job and I don’t take that for granted. In our profession it seems you’re either on one of two lists (to be hired or fired) and that could change by the week.”
Without actually saying he has no interest in the job, Wilcox added, “Getting into my own job security or other jobs, I just never talk about that. It doesn’t serve anybody. The hypotheticals are not something I spend any time on.
“What do you do?” he said about how he handles the talk. “We just coach football. I love coaching these guys and coaching with our staff.”
BACKUP QB PLAN: Graduate transfer Ryan Glover moved into the starting quarterback role against Arizona when Garbers was unable to play, and although he did not turn the ball over the Bears managed just 122 yards of offense and nine first downs.
Wilcox declined to say who would step in for Garbers if, for any reason, he could not remain in the game on Saturday.
“That would probably be a situational decision based on what’s needed during the game,” Wilcox said, citing a range of factors.
Cal’s other two scholarship quarterbacks are sophomore Zach Johnson, back after being sidelined by COVID, and freshman Kai Millner. Neither has played in a game.
