Football scouting report: Cal

OFFENSE: WR Bryce Treggs (No. 1, Jr.)

While quarterback Jared Goff likes to spread the ball around to Cal’s talented and deep receiving corps, Treggs is his most reliable target. The junior receiver led the team in receptions a year ago and paces the Bears again this year with 29.

Treggs has played particularly strong as of recently, hauling in 17 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns over the last two weeks. At 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, Treggs isn’t the most physically imposing receiver, nor is he the fastest, but he does work well in space. He possesses great agility and acceleration and has excellent footwork, all of which allow him to separate from defenders.

Although he isn’t as big a deep threat as some of his counterparts, Treggs is essential to establishing the rhythm of the Bears offense. Over half his receptions have resulted in either a first down or touchdown and he is a frequent target of Goff’s on third and fourth down when the Bears decide to go for it.

DEFENSE: CB Cameron Walker (No. 3, So.)

Singling out a top performer from a Cal defense that has allowed the ninth-most points and fifth-most yards in the nation isn’t an easy task, but it’s one that got even tougher after Cal’s leading tackler and interceptor – sophomore safety Griffin Piatt – was ruled out for the season with a knee injury on Monday.

The next best choice is sophomore cornerback Cameron Walker, who ranks second on the team in tackles with 31. Though he’s registered just 1.5 fewer tackles per game than Piatt, Walker hasn’t come as close to duplicating Piatt’s impact in pass coverage.

Piatt had three interceptions, six breakups and nine pass deflections, while Walker has yet to register an interception and has four breakups and four deflections.

Given Piatt’s absence and the fact that Cal’s pass defense ranks as by far the nation’s worst – allowing 402 passing yards per game – UCLA could be in for a big day through the air.

Compiled by Jordan Lee and Kevin Bowman, Bruin Sports senior staff.