It is normally home to the best of the NRL and AFL, but today at ANZ Stadium it was the David Webb and Chad Hansen show.
The California Golden Bears star quarterback and wide receiver handed the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors their first loss of the 2016 NCAA college football season.
The decisive period of the game came early, with Cal’s offense taking control of the game in an advantageous four minutes at the end of the second quarter. It was enough in the end to account for their gallant opponents.
After a slow, controlled drive down field, Cal extended the score to 20-14 with a successful field goal. After recovering a fumble on the ensuing kick-off, Chad Hansen score his second touchdown of the day on the very next play, proving too classy on a 34-yard screen play.
Getting the ball back another time in the half, Cal scored yet again, this time David Webb doing it all himself on a three yard option run. That blew the score out to 34-14 at the half, and like that, the game was all but over.
The game started positively for both sides, with Hawaii going into quarter time down only three, 17-14. Their run game was on point, with dynamic 5”8′ 195-pound running back Dicocemy Saint Juste doing most of the damage.
It was run, run and then a surprising long pass that got the Hawaiians started, but Cal wouldn’t be outdone, with their screen passes and up tempo, no huddle offense producing two touchdowns of their own.
Pre game was a sight to see and was a polar opposite to what Australian sports fans are used to. Marching bands, rock concert level music volumes, cannons blasting and a production of thousands drumming, dancing, back flipping and cheering their way were on display heading into the midday kick off.
Topping it all of was none other than a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner sung in a cappella, a special moment for American sports fans in attendance.
It was much of the same in the second half, with Cal in cruise control. Hawaii kicked an early field goal to keep their hopes alive, before Cal squashed any Hawaiian hope as they began a prolonged drive that ended in more points. This time it was Melquise Stovall with wide-open space, receiving a 12-yard pass from man of the moment Davis Webb to blow the lead out to 24 with eight remaining in the quarter.
Not to be outdone, the gallant Rainbow Warriors marched down field at every opportunity, behind their diligent offensive line and dependable quarterback, Ikaika Woolsey. They added a nice score of their own late in the third, reward for their tireless effort, but simply could not move the ball as efficiently as their Californian opponents.
The up-tempo, no huddle offense proved too much to handle in Round 1 of the season.
The crowd stayed active throughout the day, with a fourth quarter media time out a signal to start the infamous Mexican wave, showcasing the atmosphere and attitude of all those in attendance. Cal, as they did throughout the game, continued to add points in the final quarter, with Jordan Veasy adding the daggers this time, scoring on a simple, clean slant route. Hawaii, as they did all day, continued to fight, and were rewarded during the closing of the game, Paul Harris finishing off a frustrating day with a touchdown run.
Davis Webb had 441 passing yards, four passing TDs and a rushing TD, with Chad Hansen superb, scoring 2 touchdowns and was the go to receiver all day.
Final score 51-31
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