California Golden Bear (#7) Chase Hendricks makes the tackle on a Wake Forest Demon Deacon wide receiver Kameron Shanks (5) in a NCAA football game at the California Memorial Stadium on Saturday, October 18th, in Berkeley, CA. (Photo credits to Sports Illustrated)
By Michael Villanueva
BERKELEY – Saturday night, once again, the California Golden Bears (3-4) hosted and took on the no.21 Wake Forest Demon Deacons (6-1). Back to back conference matchups for the Bears after coming off of a Win against Virginia Tech. However, the Bears would have their hands full against Wake Forest as the Demon Deacon’s offense was too much for the Golden Bears with the final score being, 41-7
On November 8, 2024, the Bears traveled to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for their first game with the Demon Deacons. Cal won 46–36 to secure its first conference win as an ACC member. Linebacker Liam Johnson’s game-winning interception and future Super Bowl starter Craig Woodson and third-round NFL draft choice Nohl Williams were among the three passes that Cal intercepted. Fernando Mendoza, this year’s first-round pick in the NFL Draft, helped the Bears win throwing for a career-high 385 yards and three touchdowns.
In the first quarter, Cal started the game with the ball, and with Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele listed active, after recovering from a concussion two weeks ago, Sagapolutele was assigned the backup quarterback in this game. Cal’s Jackson Brousseau would get the start again, after coming off his first win as a starter against Virginia Tech last week. However, Brousseau first offensive possession, he couldn’t get the Bears to pass their 40-yard line.
Wake Forest would have early success on their offensive possession’s which led to them scoring twice. On their first offensive drive, they had to start at their 1-yard line from Cal’s punt. That wouldn’t phase Wake Forest, as it took them just five plays to get the first touchdown of the night in Berkeley. Wake Forest quarterback Gio Lopez would complete a 39-yard touchdown pass to Dominick Barry and making the score 7-0.
After another three and out on Cal’s offense. Wake Forest returned to the field and on their first play on offense, they would score. Cal’s defense would send an all out blitz on Wake Forest, but their quarterback Gio Lopez anticipated them and was able to find Jack Foley for a 29-yard touchdown pass. Lopez and hiss offense would change the score, 14-0, over the Bears. Cal’s offense altogether in the first quarter would put up just 52 yards, while Wake Forest had 163 yards.
Going into the second quarter, Wake Forest started with the ball and took their time marching down the field on Cal’s defense. It would take the Demon Deacons eleven plays to score on this drive. Wake Forest’s running back Jamar Searcy, from Oakland, CA, would rush in a 1-yard touchdown, and push the lead to 21-0. Wake Forest’s defense has given the Bears a hard time, that they would see another three and out on their offense. Then in just five plays, Wake Forest would score again, Ty Clark III would rush in a 31-yard touchdown. However, Deamon Deacon’s would go a 2-point conversion, but failed to get it. The score would now be 27-0. Wake First first four drives in the game all ended in a touchdown for them.
With just a minute and twelve seconds left of the first half, Wake Forest defense stopped the Bears from scoring on their 1-yard line. So from starting a yard away from your end zone, Wake Forest has the ball in awkward field position. However that wouldn’t affect them as it took them just seven plays to score. Gio Lopez would find Dominick Barry, again, for a 30-yard touchdown pass. This is now Barry’s second touchdown of the night, and setting up halftime with the score at, 34-0.
Heading back from halftime and going into the third quarter, Wake Forest’s offense would hop on the field first. This time, Cal’s defense would come up and hold the Demon Deacons offense to punt on nine plays. However, Cal’s offense on their first possession entering the second half wasn’t much either. The Bears would only snap the ball for 6 plays until they were met to punt. Gio Lopez wasn’t done yet as him and his offense would put up anither touchdown in seven plays.
Lopez would find his receiver, Dominick Barry., for a 2-yard touchdown pass. Barry’s touchdown was his third one of the night. His efforts and touchdown on this drive would push the lead for Wake Forest to 41-0. Going into the final quarter of the game, the Bears wouldn’t take a blowout loss. At the five minute mark of the fourth, the Bears tight end Mason Mini, would catch a 28-yard touchdown pass from Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. Sagapolutele would make his mark after being benched at the start of the game. He would bring the Bears first and only touchdown of the game.
With the clock winding down and Wake Forest’s offense putting up 20 points in the second quarter. The Bears would fall to the Demon Deacons of the final score being, 41-7. Gio Lopez would throw for 4 touchdown passes to cruise right through the Bears and get the Demons feeling Golden.
After playing at home in their last two games, the Bears will hit the road for their next three games. Cal’s first stop on this three game road trip will be with the SMU Mustangs. The Bears and Mustangs will play each other on October 24th at 9 a.m. and will be broadcast live on the CW Network. After the Mustangs, the Bears will take on North Carolina State and then face off against Virginia. `
