The 2016 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bears were led by fourth-year head coach Sonny Dykes and played their home games at Memorial Stadium.
Shortly after the conclusion of the 2015 season, Dykes stated that he did not anticipate any staff turnover. However, offensive coordinator Tony Franklin resigned from his position at California a few weeks after Dykes made this statement. Franklin left to take up the same position at Middle Tennessee State, citing a desire to move closer to his family in Kentucky. Dykes replaced Franklin with Jake Spavital, who had recently been fired by Texas A&M University. Like Dykes, Spavital was from Mike Leach's Air Raid coaching tree. An additional signing from that lineage was the transfer of quarterback Davis Webb from Texas Tech; Webb completed his bachelor's degree in three years transferring to Cal for his final year of eligibility as a graduate student.
Cal went 5–7 in 2016, winning only 3 out of their 9 Pac-12 games. Dykes once again lost to Stanford at home by two touchdowns and to USC in Los Angeles by three touchdowns. His team also lost to San Diego State of the Mountain West Conference. Highlights of that season were Cal's second straight beating of then-No. 11 Texas and the team's win over UCLA. This was the first time that Dykes was able to lead the team to beat one of Cal's three traditional rivals – Stanford, UCLA and USC. In his only season as Cal's quarterback, Davis Webb beat Jared Goff's passing attempts and completions records, and equaled his marks for 300-yard passing games (10) and touchdowns (43), with 37 in the air and six on the ground. Webb was drafted in the third round by New York Giants.
Sonny Dykes was fired on January 8, 2017. He finished at Cal with a four-year record of 19–30. The firing came as a surprise, as his contract was previously extended and most coaching changes come right after the end of a season and not the following year. Two of the stated concerns were Dykes' commitment to the program, as at the end of 2016 Dykes was interviewed by Baylor University for their head coaching position, and the significant decreases in home game attendance – thirty percent fewer season tickets were renewed for 2017 than for the previous year.
Personnel
Coaching staff Name Position Cal years Alma mater Sonny Dykes Head coach / outside wide receivers coach 4th Texas Tech (1993) Art Kaufman Defensive coordinator / linebackers coach 3rd Arkansas–Monticello (1980) Jake Spavital Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach 1st Missouri State (2008) Greg Burns Safeties coach 3rd Washington State (1995) Garret Chachere Associate head coach / running backs coach 4th Tulane (1992) Brandon Jones Run game coordinator / offensive line coach 2nd Texas Tech (2006) John Lovett Cornerbacks coach 2nd C.W. Post (1973) Jacob Peeler Inside wide receivers coach 4th Louisiana Tech (2006) Fred Tate Defensive line coach 3rd Southern Miss (1997) Mark Tommerdahl Assistant head coach / special team coordinator 4th Concordia College (MN) (1983) Damon Harrington Head strength & conditioning coach 4th Louisiana Tech (2000)
Roster 2016 California Golden Bears FootballQuarterback 3 Ross Bowers – freshman (6'2, 190) 7 Davis Webb – senior (6'5, 230) 10 Victor Viramontes – freshman (6'1, 240) 14 Chase Forrest – sophomore (6'2, 205) 18 Max Gilliam – freshman (6'2, 205)
Running back 5 Tre Watson – junior (5'10, 195) 22 Derrick Clark – freshman (5'11, 210) 23 Vic Enwere – junior (6'1, 240) 28 Patrick Laird – sophomore (6'0, 205) 29 Khalfani Muhammad – senior (5'9, 175) 30 Billy McCrary III – freshman (5'10, 190) 34 Fabiano Hale – junior (5'11, 210)
Wide receiver 1 Melquise Stovall – freshman (5'9, 190) 2 Jordan Duncan – freshman (6'2, 210) 4 Zion Echols – freshman (5'10, 175) 6 Chad Hansen – junior (6'2, 205) 8 Demetris Robertson – freshman (6'0, 175) 9 Kanawai Noa – sophomore (6'0, 185) 11 Raymond Hudson – junior (6'3, 230) 13 Grayson Bankhead – freshman (5'11, 160) 15 Jordan Veasy – junior (6'3, 225) 17 Vic Wharton III – sophomore (6'0, 200) 19 Brandon Singleton – freshman (6'0, 175) 21 Jack Austin – junior (6'3, 215) 24 Matt Rockett – junior (5'9, 190) 26 Bug Rivera – senior (5'8, 175) 30 Chas Peterson – junior (6'0, 190) 80 Jake Ashton – sophomore (6'4, 220) 81 Logan Gamble – freshman (6'6, 190) 82 Drew Kobayashi – freshman (6'3, 200) 84 Justin Dunn – sophomore (6'2, 210) 86 Eric Locklin – sophomore (6'2, 195) 88 Patrick Worstell – senior (6'2, 195) 89 Matt Laris – freshman (6'4, 220)
Tight end / fullback 40 Justin Norbeck – sophomore (6'2, 235) 45 Kennedy Emesibe – sophomore (6'3, 255) 47 Frank Kapp – freshman (6'3, 225) 85 J.D. Hinnant – junior (6'4, 295) 87 Kyle Wells – sophomore (6'3, 240) 99 Malik McMorris – sophomore (5'11, 310) Offensive lineman 54 Gentle Williams – freshman (6'4, 280) 55 Dominic Granado – senior (6'4, 305) 57 Addison Ooms – sophomore (6'4, 295) 58 Semisi Uluave – sophomore (6'5, 345) 62 Dwayne Wallace – junior (6'5, 330) 64 Steven Moore – senior (6'6, 310) 65 Tanner Prenovost – freshman (6'1, 265) 66 Chris Borrayo – senior (6'3, 325) 70 Benji Palu – junior (6'0, 315) 71 Jake Curhan – freshman (6'6, 335) 72 Kamryn Bennett – sophomore (6'3, 295) 73 Jeremiah Stuckey – senior (6'6, 300) 74 Ryan Gibson – freshman (6'1, 285) 75 Aaron Cochran – junior (6'8, 350) 76 Henry Bazakas – freshman (6'6, 295) 79 Patrick Mekari – sophomore (6'4, 295) Daniel Juarez – freshman (6'5, 287)
Defensive tackle 9 James Looney – junior (6'3, 280) 50 Hunter Abel – freshman (6'1, 265) 90 Rusty Becker – junior (6'4, 275) 92 Marcus Manley – senior (6'3, 310) 93 Luc Bequette – freshman (6'1, 290) 96 Tevin Paul – freshman (6'3, 265) 97 Tony Mekari – junior (6'1, 280) 99 Chris Yaghi – freshman (6'4, 269)
Defensive end 13 Russell Ude – freshman (6'3, 265) 33 Noah Westerfield – junior (6'3, 250) 44 Zeandae Johnson – freshman (6'3, 275) 51 Cameron Saffle – sophomore (6'3, 245) 89 Evan Weaver – freshman (6'3, 245) 91 Chinedu Udeogu – freshman (6'5, 255) 94 Trevor Howard – freshman (6'3, 245) 95 DeVante Wilson – senior (6'5, 260)
Long snapper 45 Grant Gluhaich – freshman (5'10, 195) 46 Garrett Frum – junior (6'2, 230) 48 Bradley E. Northnagel – senior (6'3, 245)
Punter 42 Dylan Klumph – sophomore (6'3, 230) Linebacker 1 Devante Downs – junior (6'3, 250) 4 Derron Brown – junior (6'1, 205) 11 Hamilton Anoa'i – junior (6'2, 250) 19 Cameron Goode – freshman (6'4, 200) 31 Raymond Davison – junior (6'2, 225) 37 Kaodi Dike – junior (6'2, 210) 38 Alex Netherda – freshman (6'0, 210) 40 David Ortega Jr. – sophomore (5'10, 215) 46 Drew Bryant – sophomore (6'3, 225) 55 Aisea Tongilava – sophomore (6'0, 225) 56 Joe Castignani – sophomore (6'2, 225) 59 Jordan Kunaszyk – junior (6'3, 235)
Cornerback 2 Darius Allensworth – junior (6'0, 190) 8 Nygel Edmonds – freshman (6'0, 195) 14 Antoine Albert – senior (6'1, 190) 14 A.J. Greathouse – junior (6'0, 195) 16 Chibuzo Nwokocha – sophomore (6'1, 205) 18 Marloshawn Franklin Jr. – junior (6'0, 180) 20 Joshua Drayden – freshman (5'11, 175) 24 Camryn Bynum – freshman (6'1, 180) 27 Ashtyn Davis – sophomore (6'1, 185) 39 Ricky Walker III – freshman (5'11, 190)
Nickelback 3 Cameron Walker – senior (5'10, 180) 5 Trey Turner – sophomore (6'0, 195) 22 Traveon Beck – freshman (5'10, 165) 28 Quentin Tartabull – sophomore (5'11, 190) 34 De'Zhon Grace – junior (5'10, 175)
Safety 6 Jaylinn Hawkins – freshman (6'1, 200) 7 Khari Vanderbilt – senior (6'1, 195) 17 Luke Rubenzer – junior (6'0, 195) 21 Evan Rambo – sophomore (6'3, 205) 23 Malik Psalms – freshman (6'2, 185) 32 Jacob Anderson – junior (6'0, 190) 42 David Garner – junior (5'9, 195)
Placekicker 9 Matt Anderson – junior (6'0, 190) 19 Noah Beito – senior (6'0, 190) (+P) 39 Franklyn Cervenka – senior (5'10, 165) 41 Gabe Siemieniec – freshman (6'1, 190) 49 Matt Abramo – freshman (6'2, 185)Source and player details: California Golden Bears Football 2016 Roster
Schedule
Notes
Game summaries Vs. Hawaii
Statistics HAWCAL First downs 26 31 Total yards 482 630 Rushing yards 248 189 Passing yards 234 441 Turnovers 3 0 Time of possession 29:07 30:53
Team Category Player StatisticsHawaii Passing Ikaika Woolsey 17/34, 234 yards, TD, INT Rushing Diocemy Saint Juste 14 rushes, 118 yards, TD Receiving Marcus Kemp 4 receptions, 73 yards, TDCalifornia Passing Davis Webb 38/54, 441 yards, 4 TD Rushing Khalfani Muhammad 10 rushes, 96 yards, TD Receiving Chad Hansen 14 receptions, 160 yards, 2 TD
Calling the game for ESPN: Allen Bestwick, Mike Bellotti and Warren Smith.
At San Diego State
Statistics CALSDSU First downs 30 22 Total yards 604 463 Rushing yards 82 334 Passing yards 522 129 Turnovers 4 2 Time of possession 25:30 34:30
Team Category Player StatisticsCalifornia Passing Davis Webb 41/72, 522 yards, 5 TD, 3 INT Rushing Vic Enwere 10 rushes, 72 yards Receiving Chad Hansen 14 receptions, 190 yards, TDSan Diego State Passing Christian Chapman 14/23, 129 yards, TD, INT Rushing Donnel Pumphrey 29 rushes, 281 yards, 3 TD Receiving Eric Judge 4 receptions, 47 yards
No. 11 Texas
Statistics TEXCAL First downs 34 24 Total yards 568 507 Rushing yards 307 111 Passing yards 261 396 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 31:47 28:13
Team Category Player StatisticsTexas Passing Shane Buechele 19/33, 196 yards, TD, INT Rushing D'Onta Foreman 21 rushes, 157 yards, 2 TD Receiving Armanti Foreman 4 receptions, 72 yardsCalifornia Passing Davis Webb 27/40, 396 yards, 4 TD Rushing Vic Enwere 18 rushes, 110 yards, 2 TD Receiving Chad Hansen 12 receptions, 196 yards, 2 TD
At Arizona State
Statistics CALASU First downs 29 23 Total yards 637 454 Rushing yards 159 164 Passing yards 478 290 Turnovers 3 1 Time of possession 29:21 30:39
Team Category Player StatisticsCalifornia Passing Davis Webb 32/56, 478 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT Rushing Khalfani Muhammad 12 rushes, 84 yards Receiving Chad Hansen 10 receptions, 110 yards, TDArizona State Passing Manny Wilkins 21/30, 290 yards, TD, INT Rushing Manny Wilkins 23 rushes, 72 yards, 3 TD Receiving Tim White 6 receptions, 86 yards
No. 18 Utah
Statistics UTAHCAL First downs 29 17 Total yards 442 362 Rushing yards 176 56 Passing yards 266 306 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 42:01 17:59
Team Category Player StatisticsUtah Passing Troy Williams 24/43, 266 yards Rushing Armand Shyne 25 rushes, 99 yards, 2 TD Receiving Raelon Singleton 7 receptions, 98 yardsCalifornia Passing Davis Webb 22/35, 306 yards, 4 TD, INT Rushing Tre Watson 4 rushes, 37 yards Receiving Chad Hansen 5 receptions, 98 yards, 2 TD
At Oregon State
Statistics CALORST First downs 27 27 Total yards 441 559 Rushing yards 317 474 Passing yards 124 85 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 26:48 33:12
Team Category Player StatisticsCalifornia Passing Davis Webb 23/44, 113 yards, INT Rushing Khalfani Muhammad 21 rushes, 165 yards, TD Receiving Vic Wharton III 3 receptions, 37 yardsOregon State Passing Darrell Garretson 13/24, 85 yards, 2 INT Rushing Ryan Nall 14 rushes, 221 yards, 3 TD Receiving Victor Bolden Jr. 4 receptions, 28 yards
Oregon
Statistics ORECAL First downs 27 40 Total yards 450 636 Rushing yards 192 311 Passing yards 258 325 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 23:40 36:20
Team Category Player StatisticsOregon Passing Justin Herbert 22/40, 258 yards, 6 TD, INT Rushing Tony Brooks-James 15 rushes, 109 yards, TD Receiving Charles Nelson 7 receptions, 84 yards, 2 TDCalifornia Passing Davis Webb 42/61, 325 yards, 5 TD Rushing Tre Watson 28 rushes, 154 yards Receiving Vic Wharton III 7 receptions, 55 yards, TD
At USC
Statistics CALUSC First downs 29 31 Total yards 475 629 Rushing yards 142 398 Passing yards 333 231 Turnovers 2 3 Time of possession 28:09 31:51