Cal fans got a sneak preview of the upcoming 2003 football season over the weekend during the Cal Football Spring Showcase at California Memorial Stadium. The scrimmage portion of the event that ended Cal's 15 spring workouts featured 11-on-11 periods including those focused on fourth-and-one situations and red zone work with the latter a competition period that was won 18-4 by the offense.

The first 11-on-11 period started with Sam Jackson V leading the offense down the field before he capped off a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run that was the first of six offensive touchdowns on the day. Jackson connected with Jeremiah Hunter for a 37-yard gain on the opening drive's first play and finished the first series of downs 3-of-3 for 42 yards. Ashton Stredick had five carries for 17 yards on the drive including a key eight-yard run on a third down and three that got the offense down to the eight-yard line of the defense before Jackson ran into the end zone from five yards out two plays later.

Jackson finished 8-of-11 passing while adding four carries for 42 yards including a 26-yarder that was the longest play on the ground during the scrimmage and his touchdown.

Fernando Mendoza was 9-of-15 for 127 yards in the air with two touchdown throws on a 17-yard scoring strike to Trond Grizzell that capped an eight-play, 60-yard drive and a 15-yard completion to Chris Rogers on the first play of the second red zone period.

Rogers also caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Noah Mitcheom during the final 11-on-11 period and finished with a scrimmage-high four receptions for 55 yards receiving. Tyler Jensen and Jordan King hooked up a 56-yarder on the first play of the final 11-on-11 period that earned King scrimmage-high honors in yards receiving.

Andy Alifieri (11-44, 1 TD) and Ashton Stredick (13-42, 1 TD) had the other two touchdowns for the offense with Alfieri also the scrimmage's leader in rushing yards, while Stredick had a scrimmage-high carries.
Alfieri, who has been converted from an outside linebacker to tight end and now running back during his Cal career, ran for five consecutive first downs on fourth-and-one attempts during the team's fourth-and-one period with the final one a one-yard scoring plunge.

Stredick scored his touchdown on a two-yard run in the first series of the red zone period.

Michael Luckhurst concluded his strong spring by making all four of his field goals during the team periods from distances of 38, 42, 21 and 20 yards. He also connected on his first five attempts during the field goal period (20, 30, 34, 38, 42) before missing on a final try from 46 yards out.

The top moments for the defense included a shared tackle for loss by David Reese and Craig Woodson to end the first of three fourth-and-one drives and a Matthew Littlejohn sack of Jackson to end the third fourth-and-one drive that made the defense winners twice in three sets of fourth downs during the period. Kaleb Elarms-Orr also ended the first drive of the second 11-on-11 play the game period by forcing a fumble that Ethan Saunders recovered. The defense finished with three sacks as Reese and Curlee Thomas IV added one each, while Reese had 3.0 tackles for loss for -5 yards.

There was also a punting period with Ethan Baxter (43.3 yards per punt) and Lachlan Wilson (39.8 ypp) taking six punts each.

In addition to the scrimmage, Cal fans enjoyed a wide array of activities throughout the day including a food and Bud Light Beer Garden, a pre-scrimmage youth combine, and appearances by Cal football legends. An autograph session with current Cal players and coaches was held after the scrimmage.

2023 Cal Football Schedule

Date – Opponent
Sept. 2 – at North Texas
Sept. 9 – Auburn
Sept. 16 – Idaho
Sept. 23 – at Washington*
Sept. 30 – Arizona State*
Oct. 7 – Oregon State (Homecoming)*
Oct. 14 – at Utah*
Oct. 28 – USC*
Nov. 4 – at Oregon*
Nov. 11 – Washington State (Senior Day)*
Nov. 18 – at Stanford*
Nov. 25 – at UCLA*
Dec. 1 – Pac-12 Football Championship Game+
Home Games In Bold At California Memorial Stadium; *Pac-12 Game; +At Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV; All Games On Saturdays Other Than The Pac-12 Football Championship Game On Friday; Kickoff Times And Broadcast Television Networks To Be Announced At Later Dates