Al Sermeno/KLC photos
Jaydn Ott rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns on 43 carries and eight yards for 19 carries on Saturday.
Jaydn Ott leads the Bears’ running game
BERKELEY – There was a lot Jaydn Ott seen on Saturday as the Golden Bears held their first spring practice session in packed pads in front of a sizeable crowd under a mostly sunny sky at California Memorial Stadium. California’s returning freshman All-American running back rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns on carries of 43 and eight yards for 19 carries during 11-on-11 scrimmage.
“Jaydn looks just as fast or faster than he did in the fall,” said Travers Family Head Coach Justin Wilcox called. “He looked really good.”
Ott says he enjoyed working with first-year offensive coordinator Jake Spavital.
“It was fun, I can’t complain,” said Ott. “It’s what I enjoy doing and coach Spav has made it a lot more enjoyable this year, even after only five practice sessions this spring. I’m enjoying myself and I’m sure everyone else on offense is doing it.”
“Maybe not the defence,” Ott added with a smile.
And what does Ott think Cal fans and opposing defenses will see in the fall?
“A bunch of explosive plays and we’re going to touch the color a lot,” Ott said.
He gave his approval of this new color and new turf at California Memorial Stadium, which was installed just before spring football began.
“I love it,” Ott said. “I love this yellow [in the end zones]. It’s striking. It’s stupid. We move with the times.”
Jaydn Ott Media Availability (3.18.23)
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The Bears rushed 54 times for 303 yards and four touchdowns on Saturday Ashton Stredick Added 13 rushes for 117 yards, including a 53-yard run and a touchdown. Also quarterback Fernando Mendoza came into the end zone on the last pull of the scrimmage on a three-yard run.
Sam Jackson v completed 7 of 16 passes for 90 yards with an interception and left fans in awe with a 360 move to juke a defender and break free for a 15-yard run. Mavin Anderson was the leading receiver with three receptions for 52 yards, including a 31-yarder by Jackson.
The defense scored twice on a 60-yard fumble return by Myles Jernigan and a 25-yard intercept return from Craig Woodson. Nate Rutchena forced a fumble while Ethan Saunders, Kaleb Earms-Orr And Julian Womack Everyone had a sack.
Michael Luckhorst connected on his two field goal attempts from 35 and 42 yards.
The Bears have completed the first five of their 15 spring sessions, which will conclude with the team’s annual Cal Football Spring Showcase on April 15 (2 p.m., Pac-12 Networks). Cal returns to practice Monday at California Memorial Stadium, with practice beginning at 8:45 a.m. PT.
“This next week will be crucial,” Wilcox said. “We have three training sessions before the spring break and we need to get a lot out of those training sessions.”
All practices are free and open to the public at California Memorial Stadium.
