Tight end Taimane Purcell caught a 91-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Photo by: Max Wood/Cal Football

Cal Bears podcast Barbara Mason:

#1 How did the Cal Bears (2-3) offense manage to rally from a 17-point halftime deficit and briefly take a 25–24 lead in the fourth quarter?

#2 How significant was the loss of quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who left late in the first half, and how well did backup Jackson Brousseau respond? Brousseau finished 19-for-32 for 200 yards and two touchdowns.

#3 What made UNLV Rebels (3-2) quarterback Jackson Arnold so difficult for Cal to contain? Arnold accounted for five touchdowns, including 110 rushing yards and two rushing scores.

#4 Which defensive lapses cost Cal the game after its comeback? UNLV produced several explosive plays, including touchdown passes of 70, 36 and 10 yards.

#5 What should Cal take away from the 39–31 loss going forward, and does the comeback suggest the Bears are closer to turning their season around than the 2–3 record indicates?

Join Barbara Mason for the Cal Bears podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com