California Stoners lost 162.32-128.52 to Tush Push Nation, and the temptation is to call it a rout and move on. That misses the actual lesson. This was not a total collapse. David Montgomery scored 28.9, Justin Jefferson 31.2 and Trey McBride 24.5. The problem was a handful of medium failures in the wrong places: Drake Maye at 14.82, Jaylen Waddle at 1.2, De’Von Achane at 10.6 and Harrison Mevis at 1.
The comparison begins with Parker Washington. His 19.3 on the bench could have replaced Waddle’s 1.2 at receiver or Jaylen Warren’s 10.3 at flex. Jared Goff’s 20.44 could have replaced Maye. Those are real, legal differences. But replacing Waddle with Washington and Maye with Goff adds 23.72 points and still leaves California 10.08 short. That detail matters, because it proves the lineup had leaks without proving it had a stolen win sitting in plain sight.
The supporting cast still needs a receiver and flex review. Washington’s 19.3 earns a comparison with Waddle or Warren without making the quiet opener an obvious pregame mistake. Pittman’s limited Wednesday work with a foot issue adds uncertainty to the bench. Keep him under review rather than cutting him on one practice grade. Jones remains worth holding after Minnesota placed Mason on IR and promoted DeeJay Dallas; the transaction does not assign every vacated carry to Jones.
Thursday gives California Stoners a deadline and a follow-up. Settle Goff versus Maye before 5:15 p.m. Pacific. Arizona listed McBride for rest plus a back issue Wednesday; keep him while checking the next report and identifying a tight-end contingency if one becomes necessary. The last roster capture has no reserve TE. Washington, Warren and Jones still merit the receiver/flex comparison, with Pittman’s foot-related limitation adding another health check. Current roster space, waiver availability and priority need verification before any claim.
Thursday beat update: Decide Goff versus Maye before tonight’s 5:15 p.m. Pacific kickoff. Arizona listed McBride for Wednesday rest plus a back issue; hold him while checking the next report and identifying a TE contingency if needed. Pittman’s limited foot-related work keeps Washington, Reed and Waddle in the receiver comparison. Retain Jones for the role review after Mason’s IR move. The last capture has no reserve TE; verify current roster space and same-league availability before a claim. The ownership and lineup evidence remains the last verified capture, so any transaction or start/sit change still requires a same-league Yahoo check.
