By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Saturday’s resounding 44-7 win over Oregon State wasn’t about finding answers to the persistent questions. It was about changing the discourse entirely.

Can Cal win a close game? Can its defense summon a critical stop in the fourth quarter? Should coach Justin Wilcox be retained for a ninth season?

Those questions weren’t broached and will have to be answered in the coming weeks. In fact, any nagging questions must be asked of the visiting Beavers. They were nearly a complete no-show, falling behind by two touchdowns in the first six minutes and 31-0 at the half.

Fernando Mendoza threw for a career-best 364 yards, and freshman Derek Morris kicked a school-record tying five field goals in the win. For both, there was sweet redemption as Cal’s revamped offensive line protected Mendoza beautifully, and Morris gained confidence after his fourth quarter, field goal miss that would have given the Bears a lead last week against NC State with 90 seconds remaining.

“We just want to be really consistent in our play and have a standard of play that doesn’t deviate, regardless of who we play, what the score is, what the weather is like, whether there are fans or no fans,” coach Justin Wilcox said, in skillful acceptance of his team’s resilient play without mention of their painful, four-game losing streak that had them winless since September 14.

Against an OSU defense decimated by injuries and personnel lost in the transfer portal, the Bears started fast and never looked back. Cal’s first 11 offensive plays amassed 122 yards and two touchdowns. By the end of the first quarter, the total yardage disparity was glaring with the Beavers outgained 196-17.

Craig Woodson came up with Cal’s 14th interception on the season when Gevani McCoy’s pass to the boundary was late. That was the first of OSU’s two turnovers and the end of McCoy’s afternoon. He was replaced by graduate student Ben Gulbranson for the remainder of the game with the Beavers trailing 17-0.

“We didn’t play well tonight,” OSU coach Trent Bray said. “So it’s frustrating because we’re better than our record, and we need to play to that standard.”

Wilcox was fulfilled, but he didn’t like that five of his team’s drives ended with a field goal instead of a touchdown. The Bears’ second drive did achieve the desired result, but it forced the head coach to do some explaining afterward. Mendoza completed a screen to Jaivian Thomas in a tight space, and he was immediately engaged by safety Isaiah Chisolm. But Thomas refused to go down. Instead, he was spun back facing Mendoza. In a split second and through eye contact between Thomas and Mendoza, the running back lateraled to his quarterback, who sailed into the end zone from nine yards untouched.

Wilcox was asked if that was the way the play was designed. His first answer in jest was “yes.” But he quickly explained that the players took it upon themselves, knowing one important tenet of Cal football.

“You never want to take away the playmaking ability of a football player. We’re not trying to build robots. However, decision-making is critical,” Wilcox preached. “Those are the moments you have to be right.”

The Bears get their second bye week before traveling to Wake Forest on November 8. Wilcox said his team will maintain a typical game week practice schedule. While the Bears welcomed back Jadyn Ott, who spelled Jaivian Thomas with 10 carries, he wasn’t particularly effective. The hope is the additional time will aid Ott and allow prolific linebacker Cade Uluave to return. Uluave missed the game due to injury, but his teammates still managed to shut off Oregon State’s run game that managed 60 yards on 27 carries.