50 GREATEST GOLDEN BEARS - #34 - GEOFF McARTHUR
#34 - GEOFF McARTHUR - WIDE RECEIVER (2001-2004)They say it's better to be lucky than good. Well, "they" never met G-Mac. This guy comes out of nowhere to rewrite the Cal record book in 2003, catching 85 passes for 1,504 yards. He has five 150+ yard games and basically wins the Big Game by himself with the greatest stat line in Cal history: 16 catches/245 yards/2 TDs. Then, basking in the glow of All-Pac 10 and 2nd team All-America status and Cal's first bowl invitation in seven years, he fractures his right arm in a non-contact drill. No one touched him. Misses the Insight Bowl win over Virginia Tech.
Oh well, he comes into his senior year a pre-season All-America selection, and opposing defenses are ready. They feed him a steady diet of double teams, and Aaron Rodgers spreads the ball around. Seven different receivers have at least 14 catches on the season, and G-Mac's numbers fall to 57 catches for 862 yards and 7 touchdowns. Plus he plays with a strained oblique muscle for most of the season.
But he never sulks, he just catches whatever comes his way and blocks like a demon in the run game. He doesn't get the same honors as he did in 2003, but he doesn't care 'cause Cal is 9-1 going into the Southern Miss game. Weather's bad, the Bears are struggling to win in the 4th quarter and the whole team knows that the Rose Bowl is slipping away. G-Mac is doing his lunchpail routine, blocking downfield when a teammate rolls up on his leg.
Snap.
G-Mac's football career is over. No bowl game, no NFL career. No luck. But plenty of good memories for Old and Young Blues alike.
posted by Tightwad @ 8:31 AM
5 Comments:
Macarthur was awesome. It really is too bad he didn't play in a bowl game, particularly against Texas Tech where he would have made a real difference. If he would have been able to put together a healthy senior season he would easily go down as the Bear's greatest receiver.
Losing Chase Lyman to injury that year also hurt, as it allowed defenses to focus even more closely on shutting down McArthur. But don't give up on his NFL career just yet; according to an article earlier this year, he plans to try out as a free agent next season.
I hope he makes it, too - but the odds are against him after a year off. Trust me, nothing would make me happier - he is such a class act. Hope you guys enjoy reading these as much as we've enjoyed the research and putting together the list.
Geoff McArthur has signed an Arena Football contract to play for Fred Biletnikoff Jr. in Fresno, CA. If he can get the football in his hands and get back in stride he is with the right organization, and coach, to get him back on NFL track. Good luck Geoff!
I truly hope this guy has success in football, he attended my current high school and is one of the few former Palisades Football players with a D-1 sholarship and I am thankful that he helped pave the way for Dolphins of the future.
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