By Matthew T.F. Harrington

It’s been a while since the California Golden Bears left Seattle with a win over the Washington Huskies. In fact, the last time Cal left the Pacific Northwest a winner was over a decade ago. Entering Saturday’s contest in Washington, Cal (4-0)  last beat the Huskies on their turf September 10, 2015 in a 56-17 rout. Saturday would prove a much closer contest, but the Bears would hold off a late Washington rally to walk away with a 30-24 win, the first victory against Washington (2-2) in any contest since 2008.

Heisman hopeful Jared Goff again excelled under center for Cal, collecting 342 yard on 24 completions on 40 attempts, The top quarterback in the country connected with receivers Kenny Lawler and Bryce Treggs for a touchdown each, tying the Cal record of 64 in a career, while throwing one interception. The Bears defense forced five turnovers on three fumbles and a pair of interceptions to keep Washington’s offense in check.

Cal struck first after Matt Anderson’s 32-yard field goal went through the uprights with 7:04 left in the first, but Washington slipped by on a Dwayne Washington 14 yard run with 1:30 to go in the quarter. Cal held the Huskies scoreless in the second and scored three times to build a then-comfortable lead. First Vic Enwere ran one in from the 12 yard line, then Matt Anderson hit a 41-yarder, while Goff connected with Treggs in the end zone to complete the trio of unanswered scores and send the Bears to the locker room up 20-7 at the half.

Goff would connect with Lawler for a TD early in the third to put the Bears in cruise control up 27-7 with 10 minutes left in the third. Washington would take advantage of a Bears team on its heals, scorer on a 10-play 65-yard drive then cutting the lead to just one score on a 70-yard fumble recovery taken to the house by Sidney Jones late in the third.

Anderson split the uprights again with 5 minutes left in regulation to give Cal a two-possesion lead. They’d need every point of it, with the Huskies Cameron Van Winkle crossing the plane with 3:57 left in the game to make the score 30-24. The Bears defense would keep Washington off the board to keep the undefeated season alive.

Cal returns home for it’s contest next Saturday, a showdown against the Washington State Cougars. The Cougars are 2-1 and will open Pac-12 play coming off an off-week.