How Tosh Lupoi tried to address Cal’s most glaring weakness from 2025

BERKELEY — Like probably every other head coach across the country, Cal’s Tosh Lupoi is not satisfied as the Bears look ahead to their season opener on Sept. 5 against UCLA.

“I’m never going to be satisfied,” Lupoi said Monday, two days after the team’s first scrimmage of fall camp. “Certainly pleased with the guys’ hunger, their approach, attention to detail and really the response. This group, every time we challenge them, they respond to that.”

“Coming off of a scrimmage and having live tackling, a lot of reps, I really respected the way they handled their business (at practice) today. Felt like there were some things that got better, which was the goal.”

There is no position on the roster facing greater urgency to improve than the offensive line. The Bears have struggled up front for several years, and last year Cal gave up 32 sacks while finishing second-to-last nationally in rushing yards per game (81.7).

The Bears fired Justin Wilcox in late November after a 31-10 loss to Stanford, in which they ran for a net 12 yards. Cal finished the season with a 7-6 record.

Developing an effective ground game to complement sophomore Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, the Bears’ rising star at quarterback, was a priority in recruiting through the transfer portal, and it continues to be a focal point in practice.

Lupoi saw some progress on Saturday. “Every single group, our quest is to improve and grow,” he said. “The O-line absolutely has done that.”

Cal also brought in new talent at running back, starting with junior Adam Mohammed, who rushed for 523 yards at Washington last season and was projected to be the Huskies’ starter this fall before heading south.

“Before we got him, just praying he’d end up coming to us,” Sagapolutele said. “I’d seen his film. Explosive guy. Got contact balance. An even better person — he’s always happy. Having a guy like that on the team is just amazing. He’s impressed me way more than I would have expected.”

New offensive coordinator Jordan Somerville, who came to Cal following a stint as assistant quarterbacks coach with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, said Mohammed takes the field with “ill intent.”

“He’ll do the dirty work. He’ll do the splash plays,” Somerville said. “His energy is infectious. He doesn’t say a whole lot, but the way he runs or even if he’s not carrying the football, his everyday play and energy and ill intent, that’s what he’s going to bring.”

Asked if Mohammed is what the Bears expected while recruiting him, Somerville said, “Even more. Adam works his tail off, the way he carries himself in and out of the building. A true professional in every aspect.”

Somerville stresses that it starts up front. “It’s all 11. It’s not one guy,” he said. “It’s about all 11 having an attitude and a love for one another as we take the field, especially in the run game.”

Sagpaolutele agrees. “The O-line has made tremendous strides, just being able to get to the second level, being able to make those hard blocks,” he said. “It’s a credit to them because that’s where it really starts. Once they’re moving, things start to get rolling.”

So he is expecting an improved run game?

“A thousand times better,” he promised.