Cal Bears inside linebacker AJ Tuitele (9) yells encouragement at his teammates agianst the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium Charlottesville Virginia on Sat Nov 14, 2026 (Cal Bears photo)
By Barbara Mason
Saturday afternoon the California Bears (3-7) played their final road game of the season taking on the Virginia Cavaliers (5-5). Both teams are coming off of bye weeks and for the Bears, they were searching for answers defensively and offensively.
During the last two weeks Cal was addressing a multitude of problems that had been plaguing the team for weeks now. The coaching staff is under scrutiny after the Cavaliers crushed the Golden Bears 36-7 in this game as it was another disappointing loss for California as they were looking to improve play on both sides of the ball.
The Cavaliers took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter, the PAT unsuccessful. After the opening Virginia score, the Bears defense tightened up. The Cavaliers took the 6-0 lead into the second quarter. At 8:07 the Cavaliers kicked a 30-yard field goal taking a 9-0 lead.
The Cavaliers rounded up a Sagapolutele pass in the end zone for a pick six and another score for a 16-0 lead. With two minutes left on the clock, California put their first points up on the scoreboard after an impressive drive. Adam Mohammed rushed for 5 yards and the touchdown with 14 seconds left on the clock. The score at the half was 16-7 in favor of the Cavaliers.
Virginia scored their second field goal of the game in their first third quarter possession. They now led 19-7. In the closing seconds of the quarter the Cavaliers scored their second pick six of the game now with a commanding lead 26-7.
Virginia would score one more field goal to take a 29-7 lead. Virginia, however, was not finished, they intercepted the ball at 3:24 in the fourth quarter that eventually resulted in yet another touchdown. The final was 36-7 in a real beat-down.
GAME STATS
The Cavaliers were first up on the scoreboard in the opening quarter. Beau Pribula connected with Da’Shawn Martin for 12 yards and the touchdown. Virginia kicker Will Bettridge missed the PAT and the Cavaliers took the 6-0 lead into the second quarter. The California offense really struggled in the opening quarter. They only had one first down in the entire first quarter.
Virginia extended their lead in the second quarter at 8:07. Cavaliers kicker Bettridge kicked a 30-yard field goal and Virginia had a 9-0 lead. Late in the quarter Cal was still looking for their second first down of the game.
It began to tuirn around for the Bears going on an impressive drive that got them inside the Virginia red zone. Cal was unable to score and looking at a fourth and four with a little over two minutes left in the half they appeared ready to settle for a field goal.
The Bears in a surprise move went for it and tight end Mason Mini threw the ball into the end zone right into the waiting hands of the Cavaliers Brandyn Hillman returning it for a pick-six.
The PAT was good and Virginia had a 16-0 lead. With two minutes left until the half, the Bears desperately needed to get on the scoreboard. Undeterred Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele went back to work and once again drove the team downfield. Adam Mohammed and Chase Hendricks were instrumental in yet another impressive drive.
This drive ended far differently for the Bears. Mohammed rushed for five yards and the Bears were on the scoreboard with 14 ticks left on the clock. At the half, Virginia had a 16-7 lead. That score put this game within reach of California.
The Bears started the third quarter with the ball but were unable to move downfield. The Cavaliers hit their second field goal of the game at 8:02. This time Bettridge kicked another 30-yard field goal extending the Virginia lead to 19-7.
In their very next drive the Bears got yet another lucrative drive going. Successful Sagapolutele passes got the Bears into Cavaliers territory. The Bears would come up empty on that drive but the ensuing kick pinned Virginia deep in their own territory inside the five-yard line.
The Bears held Virginia and took over on downs, the drive coming to another sour finish. A Sagapolutele pass was picked off by the Cavaliers Kam Robinson at the Cal 33 yard line for their second pick-six of the game taking a 26-7 lead. Virginia was rolling at home much to the delight of their fans.
The fourth quarter saw a third California turnover and the Virginia defense had been excellent throughout the game with not only the two pick-sixes but pressuring Sagapolutele relentlessly.
California GM Ron Rivera was on the sidelines wearing headphones looking none to pleased. After the bye week improvement was at the top of Cal’s list and it just didn’t happen.
Virginia would tack on one more field goal; this one a 42-yard attempt giving them a 29-7 lead. One of the final plays of the game was yet another Virginia interception that resulted in another touchdown at 3:24 handing Cal their fourth loss in a row. The final was 36-7.
GAME NOTES
Right now it is a rough go for the California Bears. It was a horrible afternoon for the team. Unfortunately it was a whole lot more than just having an off day. Having the bye week gave California an opportunity to turn the season around. While there were a few bright spots in the game Virginia largely controlled the game from the opening quarter building steam as the game progressed.
What went wrong for the Bears in this one? A huge problem were the turnovers particularly the interceptions. Virginian turned two of them into pick sixes, one of which was for 100 yards.
Virginia’s defense recorded four sacks making like pretty miserable for Sagapolutele pressuring him the entire game. Cal was shut-out in the second half something we have seen before in their past few losses. That first interception that resulted in a touchdown was the turning point of this game.
There were a few highlights for the Bears in this loss. Adam Mohammed’s touchdown in the second quarter was one of them. He rushed for five yards with 14 ticks left on the clock in the first half. It made the score 19-7 which gave Cal a bit of life. The blocked extra point in Virginia’s opening touchdown was a win for the special teams.
When you look at the game stats they are positively shocking. In total yards Virginia amassed 421 to Cal’s 201. Rushing yards were also lop-sided; Virginia 142, Cal 42. Passing yards was not as dominating with Virginia passing for 223 yards and Cal for 143. Virginia finished the game with four sacks and hauling in the two interceptions.
Cal quarterback Sagapolutele completed 16 of 30 for 141 yards, two interceptions and no touchdowns. Adam Mohammed finished the game with 41 yards on 13 carries plus the one touchdown.
Mark Hamper had six catches for 66 yards. Chase Hendricks had 32 passing yards on four catches and I think he needs to be more involved going forward. Ian Strong did not play in this game.
Over their last three games Cal has now been outscored 83-0 in the second half. This does not get any more serious. Cal will now face Stanford next Saturday November 21 with kick-off scheduled for 4:30 PM.
The direction of this program is very concerning right now. The rivalry game against Stanford becomes enormously important. Hopefully we will see some life against Stanford giving loyal fans something to feel good about.
