Category: NCAA

California Bears Upset UCLA With Spectacular Defense 33-7

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The Cal Bears wide receiver Marvin Anderson (left) gets around the UCLA Bruins defensive Laiatu Latu in first half action at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles on Sat Nov 25, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The highly favored UCLA Bruins (7-5) were in for the surprise of their lives. The California Bears (6-6) came into this game as underdogs and hardly looked the part in this game. They defended the run brilliantly and displayed some pretty solid offense. The front five for Cal deserved a lot of credit for the 33-7 win. This was a true team effort.

The first quarter took an unexpected turn in the opening drive for UCLA. Bruins Quarterback Ethan Garbers was hurt and had to leave the game with apparent right arm injury. He would eventually leave the field and head for the locker room in some considerable pain.

Dante Moore would come into the game in place of the injured Garbers. He threw an interception which the Bears turned into three points for the early 3-0 lead. Kicker Mateen Bhaghani was 2 of 2 in the first quarter. At 5:25 he kicked a 43 yard field goal and he would kick a second field goal with 0:37 seconds left on the clock in the opening quarter extending their lead to 6-0.

Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw an interception at 9:53 in the second quarter. UCLA took full advantage of that pick and a few plays later took the ball down to the Cal 13 yard line. The Bruin offense was really dialed in after a bit of a slow start. The Cal defense kept the Bruins out of the end zone.

They went for a 23 yard field goal which kicker Blake Glesssner missed and the score remained 6-0 in favor of Cal. The next Bears possession saw a second Mendoza interception and the Bruins had the ball deep in Cal territory. UCLA was unable to turn the first interception into points but they did turn the second one into a touchdown taking a 7-6 lead.

Cal had the ultimate answer to the UCLA touchdown. The Bears Jaydn Ott took the kickoff for 100 yds and a touchdown; California had wasted no time taking back the lead 13-7. WIth 0.56 seconds left in the half the Cal Bears delivered a punishing hit to Bruin quarterback Dante Moore forcing a fumble that Cal recovered deep in UCLA territory.

Mendoza found Jeremiah Hunter for 14 yards and their second touchdown of the day taking a 20-7 lead into the locker room. The Bears not only had the lead in this game, they would also get the ball to start the second half. This was a great first half of football for the Bears. The Bears defense would have to continue to put pressure on the UCLA offense most importantly Moore.

In the second possession of the second half the Cal Bears intercepted the ball for the second time in this game. So far the Cal’s run defense had been impressive. The Bruins put together a great drive in the third quarter that stalled when they attempted to go on a 4th and 13.

Head Coach for UCLA Chip Kelly is not a fan of the field goal and more often than not, the Bruins are successful on fourth downs. A 4th and 13, however, is a long shot and it did put the ball back into the hands of Cal. The Bears put together a nice drive that culminated with a 32 yard field goal to start the fourth quarter giving Cal a 23-7 lead. The Bears were on the cusp of an amazing upset.

Less than a minute into the fourth quarter the Bruins fumbled and California recovered the ball. The Bears had really dictated the tone of this game and momentum was totally in their favor. Hunter celebrated his second touchdown of the game, a 13 yard pass from Mendoza extending the Cal lead to 30-7 at 13:35.

The Bears would tack on their fourth field goal of the game, a 20 yarder for the final score of 33-7. The Bears would finish off the game with a sack of Moore and this game was a wrap. This was a terrific win for Cal but also a sad ending to the storied Pac-12.

Post game notes: Saturday night the Bears traveled down south to take on the Bruins . The Bears are coming off a great win over the Stanford Cardinal winning their fourth Big Game in five years 27-15. They came into this game on a very high note. Mendoza threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns in the win on Nov 18th.

Ott had his fifth 100-yard game of the season. As good as the Bear’s offense was, the defense was equally as good in this great win on Nov 18th. Cal was on point for this game. The UCLA offense featuring Garbers did not start and UCLA went with Moore who threw for 266 yards, one touchdown, and threw two interceptions.

The UCLA season had come to an end with a resounding thud as the Cal Bears manhandled the favored Bruins. Mendoza finished with 178 passing yards. The player of the game has to be Hunter with eight receptions, 101 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Ott 21 carries for 80 yards. The Bears are bowl eligible after Saturday night’s win.

Cal’s comeback in overtime not enough; drop third-straight in SoCal Showcase to San Diego 76-67

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Cal Bears forward Fardaws Aimaq tries to get some offense going against the San Diego Aztecs forward Jaedon Lee (13) at SoCal Showcase at JSerra Pavilion in San Juan Capistrano on Sat Nov 25, 2023 (@CalMBBall photo)

Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023

JSerra Pavilion, San Juan Capistrano, California

California Golden Bears 67 (2-5)

San Diego State Aztecs 76 (5-1)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Bears came back late to force overtime, but they eventually lost their third-straight game in the SoCal Showcase, as the San Diego State Aztecs’ defense shined to beat them 76-67.

The Bears had dropped their first two games of the SoCal Showcase played in San Juan Capistrano, each by three points. Tonight, they were looking to bounce back against a strong Aztecs team.

The Bears jumped out to a 5-0 lead early, as Jaylon Tyson laid one in, and Jalen Cone hit a three. The Aztecs quickly matched it to tie it at 5-5. Fardaws Aimaq hit a three to give Cal an 8-5 lead, but Micah Parrish hit a three to tie it at 8-8.

The Aztecs got to 16-11 lead with 12:06 left in the first period, but Cal scored five unanswered points, as Tyson hit a three-ball to tie it at 16-16 with 10:49 left. The score remained neck and neck for a couple of minutes, but San Diego State was able to hold a steady lead throughout the latter half of the first period, as they went into the half up 39-34.

The teams traded baskets to start the second period, as Cal got to within three at 45-42 three minutes and 21 seconds into the second period. From there, the Aztecs began to pull away, as they scored seven unanswered points to open up a 52-42 lead. It was the beginning of a 14-5 run for San Diego State that put them up 59-47 with 9:24 to go.

Cal refused to concede, and was able to slightly cut the deficit to 63-54 with 6:15 to go. Aimaq hit a pair of free throws with 5:19 to go to cut it to 63-56, and Rodney Brown Jr. hit a three with 4:35 left to cut it close at 63-59.

The Bears were back in it, but neither team scored for over two minutes. Brown then hit another three with 2:23 to go, and suddenly, it was a one-point game at 63-62. Aimaq hit the second of two free throws to tie it at 63-63, and neither team scored in the minute and 42 seconds left, as the game went into overtime.

Cal had miraculously come back late to send the game into overtime, but just as soon as they had done so, the Aztecs took the momentum right back. The Bears won the jump ball to start overtime, but Jaylon Tyson had the ball stolen by Reese Waters, and Grant Newell traveled.

Waters was fouled by Newell, and hit a pair of free throws to put San Diego State back ahead. Aimaq missed a layup, and San Diego State capitalized on it, as Jaedon Ledee rebounded it and made a jumper in the paint to put the Aztecs up 67-63.

Tyson and Aimaq each made a free throw to make it 67-65, but another jumper by Ledee made it 69-65, and the Aztecs took control. Darrion Trammell made a pair of free throws with 1:17 to go, and by then Cal had run out of time. The Aztecs ended up winning it by a final of 76-67.

Cal falls to 2-5, and they will return home for a week off. They will try and bounce back on Saturday, Dec. 2 at Haas Pavilion, as they will welcome in the Santa Clara Broncos for a 4:00 tip.

San Jose State Spartans Earn Possible Shot At Mountain West Title Game With 37-31 Victory Over UNLV Rebels

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A happy group of San Jose State Spartans leave the field after playing against the UNLV Running Rebels at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sat Nov 25, 2023 (San Jose State University image)

Saturday, November 25th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

The San Jose State Spartans won its fifth straight game and earned a shot at the Mountain West Conference title by beating the UNLV Rebels 37-31 in this final week of the season. Thanks to Chevan Cordeiro’s two touchdown passes and Kairee Robinson’s two touchdown rushes the Spartans made a big statement headed into the championship week. 

This loss for UNLV leaves a three-way tie for first place in the Mountain West between them SJSU and Boise State and computer rankings will determine which two teams will play in the conference championship game. Updates coming soon. 

SJSU took control early in this game and didn’t let up. Cordeiro’s 56 yard passing TD to Sam Olson was the fourth play from scrimmage and grabbed the lead. A UNLV fumble on the following kickoff that Jay’Vion Cole recovered at the 23 yard line set up a Spartans field goal. 10-0 SJSU.

Robinson scored a 25 yard touchdown making it 17-0 Spartans, but UNLV responded with a rushing TD of their own thanks to Jai’Den Thomas that put them within ten points at the end of the first quarter. 

Each team hit a field goal in the second quarter making it 20-10 Spartans at halftime. In the third quarter UNLV was able to cut the deficit with another Thomas rushing TD early in the third quarter, but Cordeiro came right back with a toss to Isaac Jernigin, and then another field goal by SJSU made it 30-17 by the end of the third quarter. 

The final quarter started with Robinson scoring on a 40 yard touchdown giving the Spartans a three score lead. UNLV in back to back drives was able to score and cut the lead to 37-31 with 1:27 left in the game. Spartans ran the clock down and ended the game with 37-31 and now the rankings have to decide which one the three teams in this tie will play in the conference championship game next week.

UNI routs Cardinal 73-53 for 7th in Battle 4 Atlantis

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Stanford Cardinal James Keefe (right) blocks the shot of the Northern Iowa Panthers Cole Henry (left) at the Battle 4 Atlantis Men’s Tournament at Paradise Island, The Bahamas (Tim Aylen Bahamas Visual Services via AP)

By Daniel Dullum

Friday, November 24, 2023

Stanford fell short in its attempt to salvage its third game of the Battle 4 Atlantis men’s basketball tournament, as Northern Iowa handily defeated the Cardinal 73-53 in the seventh-place game at Paradise Island, The Bahamas.

With the victory, Panthers coach Ben Jacobson picked up his 337th career win, tying him with former Creighton and Saint Louis coach Eddie Hickey for second on the Missouri Valley Conference’s (MVC) all-time wins list.

Northern Iowa’s offense tied season-highs in both field goal attempts and made shots as it dominated Stanford off the glass, holding the Cardinal under 40 percent shooting to snap a three-game skid.

Northern Iowa (2-4) jumped out to an early lead despite Stanford’s first eight points coming from Maxime Raynaud. The Panthers used a 19-4 run to take control of the game, leading at the break 49-27.

The Panthers maintained a healthy double-digit lead the remainder of the night, never letting the Cardinal pull within less than 19 points in the final 20 minutes of play. Stanford (3-4) held the Panthers to just 24 points in the second half on 32.1 percent shooting and 14.3 percent from beyond the arc, but the Carinal deficit was too large to overcome.

UNI’s defense continued to apply pressure on Stanford, which shot 32.1 percent in the second half and finished with a 36.5 shooting percentage on the night. The Panthers outrebounded the Cardinal 41-33, 9-4 in offensive rebounds, finishing the night with a bang to secure the 22-point victory.

Raynaud led the Cardinal with 12 points and eight rebounds, while Michael Jones scored nine points; Brandon Angel and James Keefe had eight apiece.

Nate Heise finished the night with a game-high 15 points on 5 of 10 shooting, while Jacob Hutson tallied a 12-point, four-rebound performance. Bowen Born recorded 11 points with a pair of assists, Tyton Anderson scoring ten points while grabbing a game-high eight rebounds, and both Trey Campbell and Kyle Pock finishing with six points each.

The Stanford offense came into the game averaging nearly 84 points per game, but struggled from the field in shooting 36.5 percent from the floor and 19.2 percent from 3-point range.

The Cardinal return home to Maples Pavilion to face San Diego on Sunday, Dec. 3. Tipoff is 4 p.m.

Michigan holds off Cardinal 83-78 at Battle 4 Atlantis

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Michigan Wolverines Dug McDaniel (0) goes to the basket against the Stanford Cardinal at the Battle4 Atlantis at Paradise Islands, Bahamas on Thu Nov 23, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023

Stanford dropped its second straight game in the Battle 4 Atlantis men’s basketball tournament, as Michigan held off the Cardinal 83-78 on Thanksgiving Day at the Atlantis Resort in Paradise Island, The Bahamas.

The Cardinal concludes its tournament play on Friday against Northern Iowa. Tipoff is 5:30 p.m. Pacific.

Stanford (3-3) opened the game with a 23-9 lead in the first 7:29 of the first half. Trailing by one point at halftime, Stanford used an eight-point run, completed with a layup by Michael Jones, to take a 52-45 lead at 18:37 of the second half.

Nimari Burnett’s jumper tied the game for Michigan at 52-52 at 16:46, and a dunk by Tarris Reed Jr. capped the Wolverines’ 11-0 run to surge ahead 58-52.

Michigan (4-2) built a 67-54 lead at 12:24, Over the next five minutes, the Cardinal cut their deficit to three on a jumper in the paint by Maxime Raynaud, pulling Stanford to within 68-65.

Angel Brayden’s layup closed Michigan’s lead to 70-69, and a Jared Bynum 3-pointer tied the game at 72-72 with 4:43 remaining. Michigan responded with a seven-point run that was halted with Bynum hit another 3 with 25 seconds to play, cutting the Wolverines’ lead to 79-75.

Free throw shooting by Dug McDaniel and Terrance Williams II put the Wolverines back up by eight at 83-75 with 13 seconds remaining. A layup and free throw by Bynum ended the scoring.

Bynum was 8 of 17 shooting – 5 of 8 behind the arc – for a game-high 22 points to go with six assists. Jones was next with 16 points, including four treys. Reynaud had 14 points and a team-leading eight rebounds, and Angel finished with 11 points.

McDaniel led the Wolverines with 20 points and eight assists, followed by Williams II with 17, Oliver Nkamhoua with 16, Reed with 11 and Burnett with 10.

Cal Falls Flat Unable To Close Against Tulane Losing 84-81

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Cal Bears just couldn’t get by the Tulane Green Wave at the SoCal Challenge in San Juan Capistrano CA on Wed Nov 22, 2023 (@CalMBB photo)

By Barbara Mason

Despite having a double digit lead mid-way through the second half, the California Bears (2-4) managed to let another game slip away. The Bears took on the Tulane Green Wave (4-1) in the consolation round of the SoCal challenge Wednesday night losing by the score of 84-81. This was the Bears third loss in a row losing by three points.

Wednesday night the Bears played the Tulane in the SoCal Challenge Consolation game. The Bears couldn’t rebound after a heart-breaking buzzer beater by UTEP Monday night stealing the game from California. The Green Wave suffered an equally crushing three point loss to Bradley 80-77. The Bears Jaylon Tyson is their season leader with 18.8 points per game. Kevin Cross is the season leader for Tulane with 18 points per game.

Game recap: The Bears are 2-0 against the Green Wave all-time. California has now had two losses in a row by exactly three points. They are having trouble finishing games. Tulane is favored in this game expected to win by 5.5 points.

After the first half of play the favored Green Wave trailed the Cal Bears 32-29. This will be a challenge for Cal in the second half as they attempt to retain the lead and close the game out. With so much time left in the game, California needed to keep the pressure on Tulane. The Bears had led by as much as seven points but Tulane began to push back in the final minutes of the first half.

Cal extended their lead to start the second half hitting a three and taking a 35-29 lead. As the second half wore on, the Bears began to wear the Green Wave down taking a 58-47 lead at 12:11 left in the game.

Tulane refused to back down and with 9:17 left in the game they had pulled to within four points of Cal 63-59. At 6:40, this game was tied at 67 and once again Cal was letting this game slip away, their 11 point lead evaporating.

With five minutes left in the game Tulane took a 70-69 lead. The Bears were trailing by two points with 45 seconds left on the clock and California had the chance to salvage this game. Once again, the Bears were unable to close out this game losing 84-81. This was Cal’s third three point loss

Next Saturday, Nov 25 the Bears will take on San Diego State. The Aztecs are highly favored in this game. San Diego’s season leader is Jaedon LeDee who averages 26.8 points per game and will be a huge factor in the offense. Tipoff for the game is scheduled for 4:00 PM

No. 20 Razorbacks outlast Stanford 77-74 in 2 OT

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Arkansas Razorbacks Chandler Lawson and the Stanford Cardinal Maxime Raynaud compete for the rebound at the end of second half at the battle 4 Atlantis at Paradise Island in the Bahamas on Wed Nov 22, 2023 (photo by Tim Aylen Bahamas Visual Services via AP)

By Daniel Dullum

Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023

A 3-pointer by Trevon Brazile on Arkansas’s first possession of the second overtime gave the No. 20 Razorbacks the cushion they needed to hold off Stanford 77-74 Wednesday in the opening round of the Battle 4 Atlantis men’s basketball tournament at Imperial Arena in Paradise Island, The Bahamas.

The Cardinal led by as many as five in a defensive-minded first half, with both teams combining for just 42 points. Stanford’s biggest lead came after a run to open the second half, with Brandon Angel sinking two free throws giving Stanford a 38-29 lead with 15:25 to play.

The Razorbacks (4-1) made a series of free throws to end regulation and send the game to overtime.

The Cardinal held Arkansas without a field goal in the first overtime, but Bynum, Spencer Jones and Maxime Raynaud each scored in the second overtime for Stanford. Baskets by Traymon Mark in the last 1:03 put Arkansas up 77-74.

With four seconds to play. the ball was inbounded to Benny Gealer, who pulled up from deep 3-point range, attempting to tie the game at the buzzer and force a second overtime, but the shot missed off the back rim.

Jones scored a season-high 27 points – including five 3-pointers – to go with eight rebounds. Bynum scored 11 ptoints and had eight assists, Raynaud pulled down a team high 10 rebounds. The Cardinal held Arkansas to a season-low 30.3 percent from the field.

Mark led the Razorbacks with 25 points, followed by Brazile with 14 and Davonte Davis with 10. Brazile grabbed 17 of Arkansas’s 51 rebounds. Chandler Lawson added 13 boards.

Stanford (3-2) will meet Michigan (3-2) on Thanksgiving Day. The Wolverines lost 71-67 to Memphis. Tipoff is 4:30 p.m. Pacific.

UTEP Buzzer Beater Edges California Bears at SoCal Challenge 75-72

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Jalen Cone hit a game-tying 3-pointer with 16 seconds left before Cal ultimately fell to UTEP, 75-72 photo by CK Hicks-Cal Athletics

By Barbara Mason

The California Bears (2-3) trailed at the half against the UTEP Miners (5-0) 40-35. They did win the second half 37-35 but came up just short losing 75-72. The depth on the UTEP roster made a lot of the difference in this game. Cal’s Jaylen Cone hit a three to tie up this game at 72 with 16 seconds left on the clock. UTEP’s Tae Hardy answered hitting a shot from downtown to seal the win as they go unbeaten sending them into the final of the Sand division.

In the Bears loss to Montana they did get some nice work from Jaylon Tyson who scored 27 points and eight rebounds. Fardaws Aimaq had a double-double finishing that game with 14 points and 12 rebounds. The Montana offense will be a real challenge for California and the Bears will be keeping an eye on their offensive leader Tae Hardy.

In this game the number of possessions will factor in greatly. The Miners have been smashing the glass this season but Cal has also been successful in this department so that should make for some great competition.

Both of these teams have been struggling from downtown so far this season. It depends which “experts” you talk to because according to one side Cal is favored by two points and if you talk to someone else UTEP is favored by 3.5

Game recap: The Cal Bears vs UTEP contest got underway late Monday night. Cal got a slow start in the opening half. They were four minutes into the game before they hit their first basket. They did take a 19-12 lead mid-way through the half but the Miners erased the Bears lead. They took a 24-21 lead at the eight minute mark and led for the rest of the first half. After the first 20 minutes of game, the Miners held a 40-35 lead.

California hit the first six points of the second half taking the lead but the Miners rallied back. They held a 71-63 lead with 4:20 left on the clock. This game went down to the wire. Cal’s Jaylen Cone hit a three with 16 seconds left in the game to tie it all up at 72. The Bears just came up short when UTEP’s Tae Hardy sealed the win for his team with a shot from downtown; the final was 75-72.

The high for the Cal was Aimaq with 18 points in 27 minutes. Cone who put his team in a great position to take this game had 15 points. The high for UTEP was Tae Hardy with 16 points and the buzzer beater in this wild back-and-forth game with seven ties and 10 lead changes throughout.

Post game notes: Monday night the Bears took on the Miners in the SoCal Challenge at the Pavilion in San Juan Capistrano. This basketball tournament is held during the Monday and Wednesday of Thanksgiving week. The inaugural tournament took place back in 2021.

This was the first meeting between the Golden Bears and the Miners. UTEP started the game as a 3.5 point favorite . In their last game which they won against the Austin Peay Governors 71-63 last Friday night the miners had 20 turnovers. Cal lost a close one last Thursday against the Montana Bobcats 63-60. This game was a close matchup which UTEP won by just three points.

This win sends UTEP into the finals where they will play Bradley on Wednesday. The Cal Bears will play in the consolation round taking on Tulane on Wednesday in another nightcap with tipoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. PST.

San Jose State Beats Hampton 71-52 In The Paradise Jam Tournament

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San Jose State Spartans guard Alvaro Cardenas (13) takes a jump shot against the Hampton University Pirates at University of Virgin Islands in St Thomas on Mon Nov 20, 2023 (San Jose State University Spartans photo)

Monday, November 20th, 2023

By Troy Ewers 

In the final game of the Paradise Jam tournament San Jose State faced off against Hampton University at the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas and the Spartans won by a decisive margin. 71-52 SJSU. The reason this game was such a blowout was because the Spartans got the best from their star players. 

Tibet Gorener, Trey Anderson, Myron Amey Jr., and Alvaro Cardenas all went crazy, especially Cardenas. Cardenas was the leading scorer with 23 points and he was 50% from the field. Adrame Diongue was one point and one rebound away from a double double and even though the Spartans were out played on the boards by Hampton, a key for SJSU was points off turnovers, 22 points. 

Hampton only scored 19 points in the 2nd half which won’t ever get you a win, but when SJSU scored 42 in that same half, it’s impossible to beat that. 

The next game for the Spartans will be back in San Jose against North Dakota State on November 27th and the Spartans are ready to get back to regular season play after spending the weekend in paradise.

Stanford Cardinal game wrap: Cardinal Could Not Confiscate Axe from Visiting Cross-Bay Rival Bears, 27-15; Stanford Continues losing Streak

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Cal Bears offensive lineman celebrates after the win against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Sat Nov 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — A crowd of 52,971 souls observed the Stanford Cardinal (3-8, 2-7 Pac-12) unsuccessfully attempt to retrieve the Axe from the longtime Bay Area and Conference opponent, California Golden Bears (5-6, 3-5 Pac-12), 27-15.

Stanford’s defense was in effect early, as they stymied Cal’s first drive with a fourth down stop deep in their own territory. The offense was not able to capitalize on the momentous moment.

The Cardinal defense recorded an apparent gigantic play when Bears’ redshirt freshman quarterback was sacked, fumbled, and returned for a touchdown, or on the goal line. However, just as it did for the then Oakland Raiders over 20 years ago, the turnover was nullified and considered an incomplete pass. Sounds familiar, Bay Area fans? (Tom Brady & Tuck Rule)

Mendoza was not only thankful for that overturned play, but he took full advantage of the gift, With nearly five minutes left in the quarter, he tossed a 9-yard TD to redshirt sophomore slot receiver Trond Grizzel. 7-0 Bears, late in the first.

The ever reliable Stanford kicker, Joshua Karty, delivered again, as he booted a 44-yard FG with :22 remaining on the clock. The home team got the score within four, 7-3, and that was the margin when the quarter ended.

Fairly early in the second quarter, Mendoza launched a 54-yard bomb to Grizzell again, putting the Bears up 14-3. Nearly six minutes later, Mendoza completed another pass. Unfortunately it was Stanford’s senior cornerback Zahran Manley.

The Cardinal did not do much with the stolen possession at that point. However with less than a minute left in the half, Karty and his magical foot were there for his teammates. He converted a 53-yarder to bring them within an eight point deficit, 14-6. The Cardinal found themselves a touchdown and 2-point conversion from a tie with the East Bay crew at the midway juncture of the game.

Late in the third quarter the Cardinal sturdy (Tree) Defense struck again. Cal’s Mendoza was scrambling and was blasted by senior linebacker Tristan Sinclair. He forced a fumble by Mendoza, but unfortunately that tremendous hit was deemed as TARGETING, so the fumble was erased and Sinclair was ejected.

Mendoza took his second opportune scenario and drove his team down to the 1-yard line. There he handed the ball off to his thousand yard gaining sophomore running back for the touchdown. California was up 15 (21-6), less than a minute after the controversial play.

Stanford was on the attack, also in less than 60 seconds when sophomore QB Ashton Daniels unleashed a 41-yard TD pass to freshman WR Tiger Bachmeier. The failed 2-point conversion kept it a two possession game, 21-12.

For the third time and less than a minute left in each quarter, Karty kicked through the uprights from 50 yards away. After 45 minutes of game time, Cal still led 21-15.

The fourth quarter was preserving the lead for the Bears. Less than five minutes in, Mendoza lofted another TD pass. Junior WR Jeremiah Hunter was the chosen target for that scoring play. Cal took a 12-point advantage with a great deal of momentum to retain possession of the axe.

Ott had an opportunity to expand the lead to 19 or 20, but chose to take a knee before crossing the goal line. A gesture filled with sportsmanship; the Bears let the clock run out, and take the 27-15 victory and axe back to Berkeley.

Stanford will next be in action Saturday, November 25 here on the Farm, hosting the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame at 4 PM PDT. California heads south to Los Angeles to take on the UCLA Bruins, on the same date at 7:30 PM PDT on ESPN.

Note: Upon my query to HC Troy Taylor about the ending of the Pac 12, he responded with: “It’s really sad that the conference, this is the end. But really happy that Cal along with us will be in the ACC together. We’ll be able to maintain an incredible rivalry.”

I asked Joshua Karty about the NFL: “Yeah, of course. The next level is my dream. It’s my goal to make it there, whether it’s after this year or after next year. But as of right now, I’ll focus on Notre Dame for next week.” Stated Kicker Joshua Karty.

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