Southern California cornerback Isaac Taylor-Stuart (6) loses his helmet as he pushes California tight end Jake Tonges (85) out of bounds on Sat Dec 4, 2021 at Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkeley (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Saturday, December 4, 2021

California wrapped up its 2021 football season on a winning note Sarturday night at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, as the Golden Bears upended Southern California 24-14, completing the Pac-12 slate for both schools.

The Bears’ offense wasn’t overwhelming, but good enough. Christopher Brooks led the Cal ballcarriers with 41 yards on 13 carries and scored two touchdowns. Chase Garbers completed 18 of 21 passes for 183 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions and was sacked three times for 15 yards. Trevon Clark caught five passes for 65 yards, and Kekoa Crawford caught four passes for 22 yards.

Vavae Malepeai was the Trojans’ top rusher with 107 yards on 18 attempts. Quarterback Jaxson Darr completed 17 of 26 passes for 189 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions and was sacked once. Michael Jackson III caught six passes for 73 yards, Kyle Ford snared five passes for 71 yards and a touchdown, and Tahj Washington caught five passes for 57 tards.

Cal (5-7) opened the scoring late in the first quarter, when Dario Longhetto booted a 27-yard field goal. The Trojans (4-8) took a 7-3 lead at 9:46 of the second quarter on a 45-yard touchdown pass from Darr to Ford.

The Golden Bears surged ahead to stay at 10-7 on Brooks’ 1-yard scoring run at 4:54 of the second quarter. Just 48 seconds later, Cal extended it’s lead with a stroke of luck. After Darwin Barlow gained two yards and fumbled on a 3rd-and-2 from the Bears’ 47, teammate Trey Paster picked up the loose ball and ran 55 yards for a Cal touchdown, giving the Bears a 17-7 halftime lead.

Cal extended its lead to 24-7 at 6:30 of the fourth quarter when Brooks scored his second touchdown of the night, a 2-yard run.

USC cut its deficit to 24-14 on a 30-yard Miller Moss touchdowbn pass to K.D. Nixon with 1:53 remaining in the game.

Dart was knocked out in the third quarter due to an apparent concussion. The loss ended the term of interim coach Donte Williams, who took over after Clay Helton was fired earlier this season. Lincoln Riley was recently hired to get the one-time power back on track.