Cal loses starters Isaiah Crosby, Ryan McCulloch to season-ending injuries
Cal will play the rest of the season without two of its most important defensive players. The program announced Monday that starting defensive players Isaiah Crosby and Ryan McCulloch have suffered season-ending injuries.
Crosby, one of the Bears’ starting safeties, remains third on the team in tackles despite missing Saturday’s matchup against Boston College. McCulloch has been key at his outside linebacker spot for Cal this year. He is currently second on the team with 1.5 sacks.
Both players suffered their injuries against San Diego State. Both did not take the field Saturday in Cal’s 28-24 win over the Eagles.
“Isaiah and Ryan will be hard to replace,” Cal head coach Justin Wilcox said. “We have a lot of talented guys behind them, and they all have an opportunity to step up.”
Next man up for Cal’s defense
Cal will now turn to other options at both positions. The Bears have the fortune of having depth at both spots giving the coaching staff flexibility. Montana State transfer Dru Polidore Jr. earned the start in place of Crosby on Saturday.
The senior from Katy, Texas has made three consecutive appearances after not playing in the first two games of the season. Polidore tied the team lead with six tackles Saturday against Boston College. He also had a team-high five solo tackles in the win.
Polidore has 14 tackles on the season for the Bears.
McCulloch could prove more difficult to replace for the Bears. The junior had put together a productive offseason and looked like an anchor upfront for Cal’s defense. He leads the team with four quarterback hurries this season to go with 11 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.
Jayden Wayne will take over for McCulloch’s spot at outside linebacker. The Washington transfer earned his first start at Cal on Saturday against Boston College. He had a tackle in the win.
Wayne is currently tied for second on the team with two quarterback hurries in addition to five tackles plus a tackle for loss. Chris Victor has been listed as the backup to McCulloch on the Bears’ depth chart this season.
Third season-ending injury so far this year
Crosby and McCulloch are the second and third defensive players to go down with season-ending injuries this year. Projected starting defensive lineman Nate Burrell suffered a season-ending injury this summer forcing him out of the lineup.
Cal listed 11 players as out on the initial availability report last Thursday. Crosby, McCulloch and Burrell were three of them. Kicker Abram Murray was also listed as out for the game against BC.
The Miami transfer has served as the Bears’ long-range kicker and kickoff man this season. He has not played since Cal’s win over Minnesota in Week 3.
Cal will be back on the field Saturday night for a matchup against Duke. The homecoming game is set to kick off at 7:30 pm. PT.
