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December 1 -- December 6, 2025
Issue No. 618
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San Francisco
49ers 26
Cleveland
Browns 8
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Wind and cold were factors which prompted the 49ers' choice to receive the opening kickoff.
Brock Purdy's long pass to Juszczyk on the first play was followed by three incompletions and a punt. Shedeur Sanders started at QB for the Browns, but his entry ended quickly and was followed by a
66-yard Skyy Moore punt return which paved the way for a 49er TD on a CMC run for a (7-0 SF) lead. Quinshon Judkins looked impressive at RB for the Browns, but tackles by Clelin Ferrell, #96, and Jordan Elliott put a stop to that and forced a punt. After a 49er punt, Harold Fannin Jr. scored for the Browns, who successfully went for a two-point conversion after a one-yard SF penalty. (8-7 Browns). New kicker Matt Gay's bank shot FG made it (10-8, SF), at halftime. In the 3rd Q. a dubious Browns decision to go for a first down on fourth and one from their own 32 failed, Gifford recovered the fumble and SF scored on a Purdy run (17-8 SF). Cleveland muffed a 49er punt, recovered by Darrell Luter. Brock would hit JaJuan Jennings for a TD, (23-8, SF) two- point conversion failed. A sack by Keion White stopped Cleveland, and a 49er FG made it a (26-8, SF) final.
The 49ers are 9-4. Among many notables were Kittle, (four receptions, 63 yards), J.J. and CMC on offense, plus some stellar defensive work by Ferrell, Mustapha, White and Jordan Elliott and much-improved special teams, with "Big-Play" Skyy Moore a major factor. Purdy finished 16-28 for 168 yards, one TD and no Int. He's back in the groove. With a bye-week to rest and map out strategy, and a Rams loss, San Francisco is well-positioned in the NFC West and beyond.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Cleveland Browns Game Highlights (12:33) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXlcbpOLMNs
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College Football
Playoffs (CFP):
Update
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With the official matchups to be announced on Tuesday, the question now is: how many "Teachers Pets" teams will be selected, i.e., teams that are included regardless of wins and losses and which bully their way in via selection bias, fan pressure, and elitism. Notre Dame, Alabama and Texas top that list. Somehow, my hunch is they'll manage to replace more qualified teams. Miami beat Notre Dame. Will that count? The way we left it in Sports Today's previous issue was:
RECAP, Last week's picks: The Official Sports Today CFP Selections: Ohio State, Georgia, James Madison, Miami and BYU. (Caveat: Backup picks: Georgia Tech/Oregon/Tulane, based on potential brackets-conflicts or Committee surprises). Stay tuned! The latter three should, by all measures, be Playoff bound, along with, of course, the Buckeyes, and Georgia, which had to battle to beat my early pick, Georgia Tech, in "The Fight." Texas A&M, which had been undefeated and ranked #3, lost, so some of my "Backup Picks" just might move up and cause some trouble. Stay tuned! JMU Rocks! And as an aside, Go Duke, my first college football memory. Beat U.VA and go to a Bowl Game! Please!
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Note to Readers:
Most photos in each issue are linked to Facebook albums produced by our talented photographers. To enjoy additional photos, simply click on a photograph or on the link provided at the end of each report. New albums, contributor essays and Sports Today issues are continually posted to: www.ultimatesportsguide.net
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Contents
Games
Cal Bears 38, SMU Mustangs 35
Stanford Cardinal 20, Notre Dame Fighting Irish 49
USF Dons (WBkB) 92, CSU Monterey Bay 52
Features & Commentary
Bears Need Image-Altering Football Coach, by Dave Newhouse
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Sports Haiku Tribute for Kevon Looney, by Robert Moselle
The Robots of Baseball, by Andy Dolich
TV Giveth and TV Taketh Away, by Howard Pearlstein
Organizations
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A's
Bay Area Falcons
Bay FC
Cal Bears
Cal State University East Bay
Golden State Valkyries
Golden State Warriors
Oakland Ballers
Oakland Roots SC
Oakland Soul SC
Oakland Spiders
Saint Mary's College Gaels
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco Giants
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San Francisco Nighthawks
San Francisco Unicorns
San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose State Spartans
Santa Clara Broncos
SF City
Sonoma Raceway
St. Francis Yacht Club
Stanford Cardinal
UC Davis Aggies
University of Pacific Tigers
USF Dons
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna
Seca
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Is The Twilight Zone
Returning?
| | Dr. Stillman (Abraham Sofaer, right) tells coach Mouth McGarry (Jack Warden) all about his new star pitcher | | | | |
The Robots of Baseball
by Andy Dolich
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This past September Major League Baseball’s 11-man competition committee approved use of the Automated Ball/Strike System (ABS) in the Big Leagues for 2026.
Plate umpires who happen to be human will still call balls and strikes.
Teams can now challenge two calls per game and get additional appeals in extra innings. Challenges must be made by a pitcher, catcher or batter signaled by tapping their batting helmet or cap. A team retains its challenge if successful. Reviews will be shown using digital graphics on outfield video boards.
According to UmpScorecards Major League umpires are calling 94% of pitches correctly.
ABS utilizes Hawk-Eye cameras. The system has been tested in the Minor Leagues for the past few years.
The use of ABS will be MLB’s first major rule change since adjustments in 2024 which included the pitch clock, restrictions on defensive shifts, larger bases, and pitchers’ disengagement for pickoff attempts.
The challenge system introduces ABS without eliminating pitch framing where catchers use their body and glove to attempt making borderline pitches look like strikes.
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The Mighty Casey is episode thirty-five of the American television anthology series, The Twilight Zone. Its title is a reference to the baseball poem Casey at the Bat. The episode was written by
Rod Serling and directed by Robert Parrish and Alvin Ganzer.
For more information, visit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmNqXofV5ug
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Baseball is trying to catch up to The Twilight Zone. One of my all-time favorite episodes of Rod Serling’s brilliance was The Mighty Casey which aired in 1960, a mere 65 years ago.
“Mouth” McGarry is the manager of a broken-down baseball team called the Hoboken Zephyrs. McGarry is introduced to Dr. Stillman, an inventor who built a baseball pitching robot named Casey to play on his team.
Casey has the ability to throw hyper-fast balls, super-slow balls, and extreme curveballs that no batters can hit. Eventually, Casey is knocked out by a screaming shot off his robotic head.
During his injury examination, the National League officials discover that he is not human. Casey is no longer a Hoboken Zephyr.
Dr. Stillman gives McGarry his blueprints for robotic players as a parting souvenir. Glancing at them, McGarry suddenly has an idea, and runs after Dr. Stillman to tell him. Rumors later surface intimating that McGarry has used the blueprints to build a world-champion team of Caseys.
Let’s jump ahead of the ABS system and get to the near future for major league baseball.
Pitchers might have surgery and have mechanical elbows that can throw pitches up to 150 mph. Batters will have artificial wrists that have bat velocity to hit balls over 600 feet with exit velocities over 140 mph.
How will fans be able to shout Kill The Umpire if they are actually robots?
Baseball was supposedly invented in 1839 with rules that have stood the tests of time.
Can we just leave it alone?
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Andy Dolich operates Dolich & Associates, a sports consultancy, in Los Altos. A local resident, Dolich has more than 50 years of experience as an executive in professional sports, working with the Oakland A's, San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, and hockey and soccer teams. Dolich is also the co-author of Goodbye, Oakland, is available in bookstores and from Triumph Books. For earlier articles by Andy Dolich published in Sports Today! click HERE. Mr. Dolich is also a Fearless Longtime
Catch and Release Fishergentleman.
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Cal Bears 38
SMU Mustangs 35
Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA
Saturday, November 29, 2025
| Under cool temperatures, clear skies, and the shadow of losing their head coach after the previous week's loss, the Golden Bears battled the ranked SMU Mustangs. With all this facing them, the Golden Bears were loose and relaxed. They played with heart, as the graduating seniors were honored before the game. At one point Cal had a 17-point lead only to watch it melt away. In the closing minute Cal regained the lead, forcing the Mustangs to attempt a 50+ yard field goal with eight seconds left which went wide left, sealing their win. Above, pregame excitement included Cal's interim head coach Nick Rolovich sharing a moment with freshman quarterback, Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (#3). The University of California Golden Bears played host to the Southern Methodist University Mustangs in an ACC Conference game at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | Leaping up to bang chests with his receiving coach, Jaiven Plummer (#84) celebrates after scoring a 35-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | Carrying a few defenders over the goal line with him, co-captain Jacob De Jesus (#21) lunges in to score on a seven-yard pass. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | Collecting the deflected pass from the intended receiver, Aiden Manutai (#14) would take the intercepted ball down to the Mustang 12-yard line, giving the Golden Bears a very short field to work with. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | |
Taking to the air to hurdle the defender, all-purpose game leader Kendrick Raphael (#1) sprints down the sideline for another first down mid-way through the third quarter. Photo and caption
by Ron Sellers.
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Redshirt Junior Danville product Cole Boscia (#82) catches his first collegiate touchdown mid-way through the third quarter.
Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.
| With 47-seconds remaining, Kendrick Raphael (#1) ran around the corner on a two-yard run for a touchdown, giving the Golden Bears the lead and eventual win. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | |
In the middle of the post game celebration, Cal's general manager Ron Rivera, who has collected the game ball, offered a few words to his quarterback, Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (#3), who completed 31-40 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns.
To view a photo album, visit visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Photo and caption
by Ron Sellers.
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Dave Wilcox, wife Merle, and sons Justin and Jason at the father’s Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony
/ Photo courtesy of Merle Wilcox
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Bears Need
Image-Altering
Football Coach
by Dave Newhouse
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Reflecting on seventy years of sports writing, excluding the military and college, the University of California has been my longest affiliation.
I started covering Cal basketball during the 1964-65 season for the Oakland Tribune, adding Cal football a year later, while tossing Cal crew into the mix. This relationship now spans two centuries, and a ton of column writing on the occasionally Golden Bears.
I’ve seen so many head coaches come and go on the Berkeley campus, and now I’ve just seen another, Justin Wilcox in football, dismissed after Cal's demonstrably disappointing Big Game.
A former Tribune sports editor, Bob Valli, advised me long ago not to get too close to any coach, because his firing might affect me emotionally, both as a writer and as a possible friend. So I’ve kept my distance in that regard.
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Justin Wilcox introduced by then Cal Athletic Director Mike Williams as the Golden Bears new head football coach in 2017.
(AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
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But Wilcox’s firing affected me, without discussing its merits. Nonetheless, a nine-year 48-55 record, and a yearly $4.6 million salary, certainly would justify a coaching change.
However, it’s his family connection that I'm dealing with, different from other firings I’ve written about. You see, back in the 1970s, I covered his late father, Dave Wilcox, when he was a Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers.
Both Wilcox father and son are truly wonderful people. I wrote about Cal early this century when Justin was launching his coaching career under Jeff Tedford’s successful reign in Strawberry Canyon.
It was warming to hear the two Wilcoxes talk about each other, the pride involved in their relationship, which I put into print. But as my former sports editor counseled me, I've kept my distance. Barely.
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Wilcox and his equally jubilant Cal players hoist The Axe after beating Stanford, 41-11, in 2021.
Al Sermeno/KLC fotos
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So who replaces Wilcox? The longest long shot would be Troy Taylor, the former Cal quarterback who was fired as Stanford’s coach a year ago after three unproductive seasons. But Stanford’s 4-8 record under interim coach Frank Reich wasn’t much better.
Cal and Stanford are so intertwined that Tavita Pritchard’s hiring as Stanford’s new coach deserves mention. For Pritchard was hired in 2023 as Washington Commanders quarterback coach by head coach Ron Rivera, now the Cal Football General Manager.
Pritchard, 38, who stayed on in Washington after Rivera was fired, has strong Stanford ties. He was the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator in 2017, but before that he engineered one of college football’s greatest upsets, quarterbacking 41-point underdog Stanford to a 24-23 victory over top-ranked USC in 2007. Replacing Pritchard as Cardinals quarterback in 2009 was Andrew Luck, now the rah-rah sideline maniac who’s also the Stanford Football Manager.
Stanford had a full football season to hire a new football coach before pinpointing Pritchard. Cal must come up with Wilcox’s replacement quickly with recruiting and transferring issues more pressing.
| Gracious, upstanding Wilcox presented a positive image as Cal’s football coach, but his losing record over nine seasons was too much of a negative to overcome | |
Rivera formed a committee of campus figures in his coaching search, believing that just the right man will be necessary to prevent standout freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele from transferring. Wilcox lost so many key players in this year’s transfer portal, that it certainly had some bearing on his ouster.
Rivera’s group must find another Tedford-type, who can build a winning program and sustain it. And who also, in Tedford’s case, was deserving of a Rose Bowl bid one year, but a re-vote killed that possibility.
I began waiting on Cal’s return to Pasadena on New Year’s Day since the 1960s. I’m still waiting, and I don’t think it will happen in my remaining lifetime, for a variety of reasons too long to explain.
I just wish the best for Justin Wilcox if he chooses to continue a career in this crazy student-professional (formerly student-athlete), NIT (Name. Image. Likeness.) world that we’re now subjected to, sadly, in college athletics.
Of course, a coaching change at the tail end of a chaotic season shouldn’t make a difference, right? Tell that to emergency replacement Nick Rolovich, who coached the revitalized Golden Bears to a dramatic 38-35 victory over visiting 21st-ranked Southern Methodist (8-4) on Saturday, leaving the Bears at 7-5 and already bowl eligible.
Did Rolovich’s Hawaiian lei make a difference Saturday, or was it his freshman quarterback’s spectacular passes? Debate that, but also did that come-from-behind upset win over SMU elevate Rolovich’s coaching candidacy in Berkeley?
Don’t go away, Cal football just become interesting again. But I bet Wilcox was rooting hard for the Bears to have that same outcome Saturday. He’s that kind of an individual.
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* * * * *
Dave Newhouse's journalism career spans more than half a century, including 45 years at the Oakland Tribune before his retirement in November 2011. Newhouse is the author of 19 books. His most recent book, Goodbye, Oakland, is available in bookstores and from Triumph Books. Dave grew up in Menlo Park, graduated from San Jose State, and has radio and television experience, in addition to his work as an award-winning sportswriter and columnist. For earlier articles by Dave published in Sports Today, click HERE.
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Stanford Cardinal 20
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 49
Stanford Stadium, Stanford, CA
Saturday, November 29, 2025
| The Stanford Cardinal storms the field for their final home game the season. Photo and caption by Ed Jay. | Andrew Luck, General Manager of the Stanford Football program, addresses the media during the game. Earlier, he congratulated every senior football player before they were introduced prior to the game. Photo and caption by Ed Jay. | Jeremiyah Love (center) is the No. 4 running back in the nation and is a serious contender for the Heisman Trophy. He finished with 66 yards and scored his 21st TD of the season, breaking Jerome Bettis’ school record. Photo and caption by Ed Jay. | |
Stanford entered the game with Notre Dame being favored by 30 points. Final score: 49-20. Stanford's first score of the game was a field goal by kicker Emmet Kenney of 39 yards in the second quarter to put the Cardinal on the board for the first time.
Photo and caption by Ed Jay.
| Stanford running back Cole Tabb had 11 carries for 32 yards and one reception. Photo and caption by Ed Jay. | |
USF Dons 92
CSU Monterey Bay 52
Sobrato Center, San Francisco, CA
Sunday, November 30, 2025
| Led by guard Meghan McIntyre's 16 points and seven assists, the USF Dons used a 42-4 run stretching across the second and third quarters to cruise to a 92-52 victory over CSU Monterey Bay Otters on Sunday, November 30th at War Memorial Gym at the Sobrato Center. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita. | Forward Sol Castro contributed 13 points and seven rebounds in 14 minutes of play. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita. | |
Sophomore guard Candy Edokpaigbe scored 14 points as the Dons improved to 5-2 on the season. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita.
| San Francisco Dons guard Aina Cargol (9) drives against CSU Monterey Bay Otters forward Aliyah Young (1) during the second quarter. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita. | |
San Francisco Dons guard Candy Edokpaigbe (top) is fouled by CSU Monterey Bay Otters guard Riley Walls (bottom) during the first quarter. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita.
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Giants prospects get important lesson in off-field responsibility
Maria Guardado
@mi_guardado
:232:08
This story was excerpted from Maria Guardado’s Giants Beat
newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe
to get it regularly in your inbox.
SAN FRANCISCO -- Every year, the Giants bring a select group of prospects to Oracle Park for their fall camp.
The purpose of the program is to give young players a better understanding of what it takes to be a big leaguer. Participants spend a week training at Oracle Park, where they play catch, take batting practice, hit the weight room and soak up advice from guest speakers, including president of baseball operations Buster Posey.
But the development opportunities aren’t limited to the field. The fall camp is also meant to be an introduction to the city of San Francisco and the responsibility that comes with being part of the community. To drive that point home, the Giants recently started incorporating volunteer work into their annual programming.
Last year, Giants prospects visited the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, where they spent time packaging groceries for families in need.
continued...
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A’s impact community throughout first year in West Sacramento
Martín Gallegos
@MartinJGallegos
WEST SACRAMENTO -- Throughout their inaugural season at Sutter Health Park, the Athletics have spent 2025 making an impact in and around their new community with several charitable efforts and initiatives.
Those efforts will only ramp up as the holiday season gets underway. Before then, here is a breakdown of the organization’s community impact in the Sacramento area so far this year:
Play Ball Weekend: In collaboration with the Sacramento River Cats, the A’s hosted their PLAY BALL Weekend event at Alyce Norman-Bryte Playfields on June 14. Hundreds of kids and their families came out for a morning of free, family-friendly activities, including baseball and softball skills stations, games, giveaways, face painting and more.
Nike RBI Baseball Clinic: The A’s partnered with US Sports Camps and Nike RBI to host the team’s first-ever Nike RBI Clinic in Sacramento at Cosumnes River College. The free three-day clinic took place July 8-10 and allowed athletes from West Sacramento Little League to sharpen their baseball skills. Participants also received tickets to the Braves vs. A’s game on July 10.
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Ballers,
It's that time of year again. The time when you gift a 12-ticket Flex Pack, a Ballers hat, and a really neat card and envelope to someone you love. And that person might just be yourself.
Starting now, our Holiday Gift Pack is available for purchase. We'll stop selling them when they run out (we have 175 of them) or when December 9th, 2025 ends, whichever comes first.
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Not only does this Holiday Gift Pack make a great in-person gift, it also comes with other benefits:
- A 12-Ticket Flex Pack, good for any 2026 regular season home games at Raimondi Park. Choose which section you want.
- A green Oaklandish "Dad" hat -- which has great sizing flexibility. We know of one household where these Dad hats fit and look stylish on children and Size 8 heads. It is not a "snapback" -- so the material can scrunch small but also allow for large size settings.
- A funny mad-lib style holiday card and envelope. We wanted to class this place up with a quality card.
- Free shipping to the continental USA.
- Save over 15% off the regular price of purchasing the tickets, hat, and shipping separately.
- The recipient gets early access to redeem for seats before they go on sale to the general public.
| | Earthquakes Announce 2026 Major League Soccer Schedule | | |
The global game comes to the Bay Area starting Feb. 21 with home opener at PayPal Park; Schedule full of big games and rivalry clashes with annual extravaganzas against LA Galaxy at
Stanford and LAFC at Levi’s Stadium
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes unveiled today their schedule for the upcoming 2026 Major League Soccer season, which includes home games against interstate rivals LA Galaxy, LAFC and San Diego FC, as well as a Sunday Night Soccer date with Seattle Sounders FC and global superstar Thomas Müller’s first trip to PayPal Park with Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
The only way to guarantee a seat to all 2026 Earthquakes home games is by purchasing season tickets. Regarding single-game tickets for matches at PayPal Park and Stanford Stadium, Season Ticket Holders will enjoy a priority presale starting Friday, Nov. 21, at 10 a.m. PT. Tickets will be made available to the general public on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 10 a.m. PT. Single-game tickets for the home match against LAFC will be made available at a later time.
The Earthquakes aim to build on last season’s 20-point improvement in the table under first-year Head Coach and Sporting Director Bruce Arena that resulted in narrowly missing the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs by a tiebreaker. Additionally, with the FIFA World Cup™ 26 still seven months away, the global game starts here with the Quakes in February, as several players will be passing through San Jose with their MLS clubs on their way to suiting up for their respective national teams in June.
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"Join us for Great Food, Great Beer and a Great Time."
We are located one block from the Moscone Convention Center, only a short walk from many of downtown San Francisco's familiar hotels, attractions, and diverse businesses. Open Monday through Thursday 4pm. Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12pm. Come by and raise a glass with us. Sláinte!
www.thechieftain.com
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Sports Haiku Tribute for
Kevon Looney
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Kevon Looney received a "fan-favorite" standing-ovation welcome on Saturday night when he returned to Chase Center as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans. Drafted in 2015, No. 30 overall and a member of three Warriors championship teams, Looney's positive attitude and high aptitude for securing offensive rebounds were indicative of his blue-collar, lunch-pail style of play. That, and his warm and sincere personality, earned him the cheers he
received on his return to San Francisco. Looney appeared
in a Haiku in Issue #426, Monday, March 28, 2022.
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Haiku: A traditional Japanese haiku is a three-line poem with seventeen syllables, written in a 5/7/5 syllable count. Sports Today! has expanded Haikus to embrace our readership and invites you to submit your own. Top entries will be published!
As Warriors fans know, Kevon Looney is now a member of the New Orleans Pelicans. Looney epitomizes the no-nonsense teammate, the hard worker who would rather grab a rebound than a headline. This repeat Haiku from Sports Today further acknowledges this three-time NBA champion with Golden State who once had a streak of 290 consecutive games played. The Pelicans will be well-served through Kevon's quiet,
rugged leadership.
Today's Haiku acknowledges Blue Collar Basketball and
Golden State's Kevon Looney. The Warriors' center epitomizes the blue-collar, lunch-pail star with his innate, uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time and a Basketball IQ through the Chase Center roof! Keep on Rockin', Kevon.
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Blocks, Rebounds and Grit
LOONEY leads by Example
One tough Warrior
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Contributed by Robert Moselle
https://www.cce-mcle.com/
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As noted in the USG's own Haiku below, we invite entries for
Best Sports Haiku. The winner will be published!
Ultimate Sports Guide
Wants to Publish Your Haiku
You must send it in
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To: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
Sports Haikus©️ USG/Sports Today's Haiku Invitation
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TV Giveth and TV
Taketh Away
by Howard Pearlstein
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Last week, I turned on the tv. The Dubs were playing and Great GOOGA MOOGA! on a station not reserved for the people who’ll pay even more for what was previously included in the cable bill. A free game on TNT— Some damn cup or other.
Was it a bit of charity offered by the NBA as we, hungry peasants outside the castle walls cry out like a parody of Oliver Twist: “Please sirs, may we have more Dubs?”
No. That would be rubbing it in. They’re greedy as starving hogs but not cruel. Must have just slipped thru the cracks, since they can’t ever willingly give up some cash.
And they’re not able to say something like: “Steph – you were and ARE the greatest shooter who ever lived. You’re also one of the most decent human beings to ever play the game, and an honor to know. But we’re paying $50 million a year for a used car.
“When you’re on your game, you are still the best, reliable, more than we even imagined. You’re as wonderful as that 65 Rambler that could go anywhere, with that sheet of steel protecting the undercarriage, do anything, all the way to the millennium.
But even that Rambler was lost to us. Parts wore out and replacements became harder and harder to get.”
But Steph has always given all he’s got, so even THEY knew they couldn’t deadbeat him. Just screw us fans a little more.
I tried to watch that game the other night – the Something Cup. And I couldn’t.
I got bored.
I need to have watched previous games, know how Kuminga fit in the rotation until his injury. Even more, how Moody and Podz were working with Steph and Draymond and each other. Know from watching.
It was like seeing a Cavs-Nets game, not knowing those cities or the players. Yeah, it’s basketball, but if I don’t know those guys, why should I care?
In a way, I actually know more about the Valkyries in the sense of understanding their situation. A new expansion team, most players meeting their teammates for the first time, with some players in and out from week-to-week for Euro obligations. And Coach Natalie Nakase in there, as the shortest Marvel Hero ever, pulling them together.
Because I got to watch them struggle and succeed this way and that from week-to-week.
But the Dubs? Sorry, I’m no longer invited to care about them and watch them working their rotation changes. No longer knowing it from seeing it happen, how some part(s) fit and work and which part(s) need to come along. I wish I did.
It was like college friends come to town and it’s “How’re doing? What’re you doing these days? Would love to get together. Wish Brennan’s was still open, a good place to catch up.”
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* * *
Howard Pearlstein has been a few places and done a few things.
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 160: Why Texas's Pushback On The CSC Participation Agreement Signals the Beginning
of the End
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by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
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Last week, I outlined the College Sports Commission's ambitious attempt to consolidate power through its University Participation Agreement, which is a document that would bind major conference schools to sweeping obligations as part of the House v. NCAA settlement framework. I noted the agreement's troubling provisions and predicted significant pushback. That prediction materialized faster and more forcefully than even I anticipated.
Over the past week, Texas has emerged as the epicenter of resistance to the CSC's overreach. The opposition isn't coming from fringe voices or disgruntled administrators. It's coming from the state's chief legal officer and the general counsel of its flagship universities.
On November 22, Eric D. Bentley, Vice Chancellor and General Counsel of Texas Tech University System, issued an internal memorandum to Cody Campbell, the chairman of Tech's Board of Regents. The memo systematically dismantled the participation agreement, identifying sixteen separate provisions that should preclude the university from signing. Bentley's analysis wasn't merely cautious. It was damning.
Three days later, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton escalated the matter significantly by releasing two letters: one addressed directly to Texas universities (both public and private) and another to his fellow state attorneys general across the country. Paxton's intervention transforms this from an institutional concern into a matter of state sovereignty and constitutional law.
Paxton's letters identify several provisions that aren't just problematic. They may be legally unenforceable for public universities.
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WeatherTech Raceway
Laguna Seca
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Five Things We Are Thankful for
This Thanksgiving
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Thanksgiving is about more than just stuffing ourselves with turkey and pumpkin pie. While we do love a good pie, the true nature of the holiday is to reflect back over the year and give thanks for everything positive that happened. Here, at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, we definitely have a lot to be thankful for. Here is our list of five things for which we are grateful this Thanksgiving, and a heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this year one of the best ever at Laguna Seca.
The Fans
If 2025 proved one thing, it is that motorsport is alive and well in America. Throngs of fans showed up for every major racing event held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca this year. Attendance for the INDYCAR 2025 Java House Grand Prix of Monterey was up over the previous year since INDYCAR’s return to the track in 2019. A massive thank you to our passionate and loyal fans plus the many first-time attendees who made the big jump in energy that was noticeable to everyone at every race this year.
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Lulu Twidale had four 3-pointers for the third time this season
Cal Comeback Falls Short
Against Auburn
Twidale Leads Bears With 18 Points
Facing an eight-point deficit early in the fourth quarter, the California women's basketball team got to within two with 2:31 left but was unable to complete the comeback and fell 58-50 to Auburn in its second game of the Hoopfest Women's Challenge in Frisco, Texas on Wednesday evening. The loss was the Golden Bears' (6-2) first to the Tigers (8-0) after winning the previous two matchups each of the last two seasons.
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Stanford Punches Ticket to Third Consecutive College Cup
No. 1 Stanford defeated No. 9 Michigan State
to advance to the College Cup
STANFORD, Calif. – Highlighted by a brace from redshirt senior Andrea Kitahata, No. 1 Stanford defeated No. 9 Michigan State 5-1 on Friday from Cagan Stadium to punch its ticket to a third consecutive Women’s College Cup.
The Cardinal improves to 20-1-2 with the victory, while Michigan State’s season ends at 15-4-6.
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Scudero Leads Country, Pollard Shines, Spartans Conclude Season
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Danny Scudero finished the season leading the nation with 1,291 receiving yards and 107.6 yards per game and Jordan Pollard recorded a career-high 19 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and a 58-yard pick-six to lead the San José State football team (3-9, 2-6 MW) in a 41-14 loss to Fresno State (8-4, 5-3 MW) Saturday night from CEFCU Stadium, presented by Donor Network West.
The Spartans threw five interceptions in the game as Fresno State recorded 23 points off turnovers.
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| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | | |
#11 Anaya Thrower: 4 SP, 5 K, .385 K%, 6 BLK, 8 PTS. vs. Pepperdine
VB | Gaels Snatch Opening Set but Fall in Four to Pepperdine in 2025 Season Finale
MORAGA, Calif. — The Gaels have proven to be a tough opposition night in and night out no matter who they face as they pushed Pepperdine (21-8, 15-3) to four sets before falling 3-1 to end their 2025 campaign. Saint Mary's (11-18, 9-9) grabbed an early set lead, taking the opener 25-20 with 15 kills and a .264 hitting percentage. The Gaels found themselves down 15-20 late in the second set but stormed all the way back to cut the deficit to just one at 21-22. Pepperdine went on to record three of the next five points though as the team's traded kills en route to their 25-23 set two win.
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Dons Fall to Wolf Pack in
Palm Desert
PALM DESERT, Calif. - The University of San Francisco men's basketball team (5-3) could not find its rhythm in the second half on Friday afternoon as the Dons fell to Nevada (5-3), 81-65, in the consolation game of the Acrisure Holiday Classic.
The Dons had three players score in double figures, led by David Fuchs, who finished one rebound shy of a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds. Mookie Cook added 12 points off the bench, and Junjie Wang tallied 10 points for the green and gold.
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Photo: USF Athletics
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Cold Shooting Sinks Women's Basketball Against Vermont
HONOLULU – A cold shooting day cost Santa Clara women's basketball in a 63-51 loss to Vermont in Hawaii on Saturday. The Broncos (6-3) fell behind early but clawed back to take a lead in the third before another cold stretch from the field allowed the Catamounts (6-2) to pull away a bit late.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The teams went back and forth early in the first quarter but a 7-0 run for Vermont made it a 14-8 game. The teams would trade baskets with Santa Clara down 17-11 after the period.
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| | University of Pacific Tigers | |
Pacific Pulls Away from Sacramento State in Second Half for 68-54 Win
STOCKTON, Calif. – Winning its third consecutive game, the Pacific men's basketball program shook-off Sacramento State in the second half for a 68-54 victory Saturday at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
The game was tied 32-32 at halftime when Pacific (6-2) opened up a double-figure lead at the 11-minute mark. The Tigers never trailed in the second half, and the Hornets (4-5) led for less than three minutes in the entire game.
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ESPN2 Sets Stage For No. 8 UC Davis Football Home Playoff Game
Against No. 9 Rhode Island
DAVIS, Calif. – In the second-straight season hosting a postseason game at UC Davis Health Stadium, No. 8 UC Davis football (8-3) will be showcased on ESPN2 when No. 9 Rhode Island (11-2) makes the visit in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Second Round playoff match up.
The game is set to kick on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. and it will be the first time that UC Davis Health Stadium has hosted a linear ESPN network in either the post or regular season. Fans can get tickets to the game by hitting the link, by calling the Aggie Ticket Office at (530) 752-2471 or by emailing the Aggie Ticket Office at aggietickets@ucdavis.edu.
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| | Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
Dominant Performance by Pioneers Leads to First Win of the Season
HONOLULU — Cal State East Bay earned its first win of the season Saturday afternoon at McCabe Gym, defeating Chaminade 80-63 behind a dominant first-half performance and a balanced team effort. The Pioneers built a commanding lead early and never looked back, fueled by a decisive run in the opening quarter.
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Photo: Jessica Eligio / Chaminade Athletics
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Watch any program on CCE's YouTube channel, or, for attorneys, earn MCLE credits online, economically, with "The Best in Topics and Talent."
Center for Continuing Education, Monterey, CA is a State Bar of California MCLE approved Provider, #8450
https://www.cce-mcle.com/
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2025/26 Schedules
San Francisco 49ers
Las Vegas Raiders
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, December 1, through
Sunday, December 7, 2025
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Monday, December 1
San Jose Sharks vs. Utah Mammoth, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, December 2
Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, December 3
Sacramento Kings @ Houston Rockets, 5 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Washington Capitals, 7 p.m.
Thursday, December 4
Golden State Warriors @ Philadelphia 76ers, 4 p.m.
Friday, December 5
San Jose Sharks @ Dallas Stars, 5 p.m.
Saturday, December 6
Golden State Warriors @ Cleveland Cavaliers, 4:30 p.m.
Sacramento Kings @ Miami Heat, 5 p.m.
Sunday, December 7
San Francisco 49ers -- Bye
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos, 1:05 p.m.
Golden State Warriors @ Chicago Bulls, 4 p.m.
San Jose Sharks @ Carolina Hurricanes, 2 p.m.
| | |
Publisher: Christopher Weills
Associate Publisher: Ann Cooke
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
Sales: Ayiko Konopaski
Contributors: Lydia Chain, Steve Chain, Harvey Cohen, Andy Dolich, Pete Elman, Rob Flammia, Bruce Macgowan, Robert Moselle, Dave Newhouse, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young
Software Engineer / Sports Today Editor: Medhavee Upadhyaya
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee, Kenny Karst (retired)
Advisor: Arif Khatib
Artist: Carl Macki
Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net
Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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FIELD OF PLAY
For the past 60 years, Michael Zagaris has taken his camera behind the scenes of the NFL, capturing the moments that define America’s game.
To order: https://www.zagarisbook.com/
| | LOL, Loss of Logo: What’s Your Next Move? was written for sports professionals by Andy Dolich and Jack Hirschman and offers valuable takeaways for everyone chasing the fancy logo and corner office. | | The Emerald Mile: The epic and award-winning story of the fastest ride in history through the heart of the Grand Canyon, by Kevin Fedarko. A thrilling true tale during the legendary flood of 1983. | | More than a cookbook, this culinary delight was written to preserve a great chef's traditional family recipes and stories of her childhood for her far-flung grandchildren. Author Leonie Samuel-Hool recounts stories of a vanished society and legends of the gods and goddesses that protect and sometimes make mischief in Indonesian homes, fields and foods. The recipes are explicitly presented. | | The absolute greatest Yankees were the 1949-1953 pinstripers, winners of an unprecedented five consecutive World Series. "The Yankee Way," Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa writes in the book's foreword, is "full of Yankee winning keys, star-studded competition, and insights about one of baseball's historically fascinating periods." By Charlie Silvera with Dave Newhouse (Author). | | To Order: $10 hardcover, $7 paperback, plus $4.95 shipping. Send check/M.O. to Christopher Weills, P.O. Box 4515, Berkeley, CA 94704 | | | |
The Ultimate Sports Guide is very appreciative to the ongoing contributions made by former staff photographer Kenny Karst and Robert Moselle. Mr. Karst, now retired, continues to contribute helpful ideas and his archives.
Mr. Moselle, Esq., is now lending his extensive editorial experience and marketing savvy to the publication.
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