Cal Bears running back Jaydn Ott leaps into the end zone to score against the Washington State Cougars at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Sat Nov 11, 2023 (AP News photo)
By Michael Roberson
BERKELEY, Calif. — The California Golden Bears (4-6, 2-5 Pac-12) honored their senior players with a clawbiter win over conference foe Washington State Cougars (4-6, 1-6 Pac-12) in front of 38,155 fans at Memorial Stadium.
The Bears were generous guest by deferring the ball to the Cougars, after winning the coin toss. Apparently WASU didn’t appreciate the kind gesture and gave the gift right back.
Less tha three minutes into the contest, Cougars’ junior quarterback Cameron Ward fumbled on 4th & 1. Freshman running back and special teamer, Cade Uluave forced the fumble and returned it for a 51-yard TD. That quickly, the Bears were up 7-0 without possessing the ball yet.
When Cal did get their first possession, they absolutely took advantage of their opportunity. Redshirt freshman QB Fernando Mendoza tossed a six yard TD pass to fellow R-FR TE Jack Endries. Less than ten minutes of the first quarter, the Bears were up by two touchdowns, 14-0.
With 17 seconds left in the first, Ward was able to redeem himself a bit. He scored a three yard TD on a QB keeper. At the end of 15, the Cougars cut the deficit in half, 14-7.
Early in the second quarter sophomore RB Jaydn Ott fumbled into the endzone, as he was trying to score, fortuitously his teammate R-JR lineman Brian Driscoll recovered the ball and was awarded the touchdown. They went up 21-7 and scored two touchdowns on two fumbles.
Cameron Ward came back a few minutes later and threw a 13-yard TD to junior TE Cooper Mathers. Washington State got within seven, 21-14, and Ward was in position to actually take the lead, but he fumbled again.
Mendoza hit Ott for a 13-yard TD and Cal was back up by two touchdowns, 28-14. The Bears were expecting to go into the locker room up by 14, but the Cougars scored another touchdown at the end of the quarter..
Redshirt freshman QB John Mateer rushed in for five yards to paydirt, and the Cougars trailed by seven again. At the half, California lead 28-21.
Cal opened up the third with possesion of the ball; however, they did the same thing Washington State did to open the game…FUMBLE!. Mendoza coughed up the ball within the first minute of the second half, and WSU recovered the ball.
Redshirt junior kicker Dean Janikowski nailed a 28-yard field goal, bringing his team within four. At the end of three, California led 28-24.
Early in the fourth, Janikowski missed a FG. Cal took the ball downfield quickly into Cougars’ territry. Ott has a 52-yard run, then scored from the five yard line, putting his bears up by 11, 35-24.
Cameron Ward had the ball in his hands again trying to cut into the double-digit lead, but that did not go as planned. For the second time in the game, he fumbled and a defensive TD occured. This time junior DB Nohl Williams reached the endzone after carrying it for 52 yards. 42-24 Cal.
Ward answered back with a 212-yard TD loft to redshirt junior Josh Kelly, and they converted the two point attempt. The pulled within ten, 42-32.
Cal’s Ott fubled again, but this time the Cougars recovered the ball. Ward came right back and threw a five yard TD to RS FR RB Djouvensky Schlembaker, bringing the road team within three, 42-39.
With a chance to tie the game at 50 seconds left in the game, Janikowski missed a 48-yarder. Cal got the ball back with the chance to seal the game,
Cal could not make the clock hit zero, so the Cougars had one last chance. With :04 left on the clock, Ward’s desperation Hail Mary was picked off by the ubiquitous Cade Uluave. GAME OVER and the Bears win a close one to the cats from the Great Northwest, 42-39.
Cal wii next be in action across the Bay trying to keep possession of the Axe, as they will battle Stanford Saturday November 18 at TBD. The Cougars head back to Pullman, WA to host Coach Prime and the Colorado Buffaloes Friday, November 17 at 7:30 PDT.
Note: Cal’s Jaydn Ott rushed for 167 yards against the Cougars, and has amassed 1016 on the season. QB Fernando Mendoza, who threw two TDs himself, gave praise to his star running back. “He is spectacular, and he will be playing on Sundays.” Uttered Mendoza.
WSU’s Cameron Ward threw the ball a whopping 59 times, completing 34 for 354 yards and three touchdowns. He also had a rushing TD.
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