October 26th 2024.
The Cal football team had been facing a series of tough losses, with four consecutive defeats by a close margin. However, their spirits were not dampened as they stepped onto the field on Saturday, determined to take on former Pac-12 rival Oregon State. And they did just that, dominating the game with a final score of 44-7, much to the delight of the 33,090 fans in attendance at Memorial Stadium.
Coach Justin Wilcox couldn't be prouder of his team's performance, especially after the difficult losses they had endured. "I'm really proud of the guys for coming out and playing with confidence," he said. "They believed in themselves and committed to playing good football." Despite the tough losses, the team didn't let it break them. "There are people out there who would crumble after four losses like that," Wilcox acknowledged.
The game started off strong for Cal, with a 31-0 lead at halftime, their biggest lead against any opponent since 2015. They continued to dominate, with a 44-0 lead before Oregon State finally scored a touchdown in the final minutes of the game. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza was instrumental in the team's success, passing for a career-high 364 yards and scoring two touchdowns. He spoke about the team's determination to change the course of their season. "We're trying to take down the dam," he said, referring to their opponent's mascot. "Ironically enough, because beavers build dams, we broke the dam today."
The team's success was a much-needed boost for their upcoming games. "We've been playing so much good football - it was so frustrating," Mendoza said. "But we're going to have great momentum into our last four games." The team will have a bye week before heading into their next game against Wake Forest, and Wilcox is confident that his team will continue to perform at their best.
The game was not without its share of interesting moments, including a bizarre touchdown by Cal on a third-and-8 play. Mendoza passed the ball to running back Jaivian Thomas, who was tackled for a 6-yard loss. But Thomas quickly lateraled the ball back to Mendoza, who ran it 15 yards into the end zone for a touchdown. Mendoza was credited with both a touchdown pass and a touchdown reception, a rare feat in football. "As long as we get in the end zone, I'm thrilled," he joked.
However, not everyone was thrilled with the risky play. Coach Wilcox admitted to feeling uneasy about it, especially so close to their opponent's end zone. "OK, we didn't plan that," he said, initially joking that they had practiced the play. "Football players need to play football and from time to time those things happen. In those moments, the player's got to be right."
The game also marked the return of star running back Jaydn Ott, who had been sidelined for the previous two games due to an ankle injury. Although he only gained 11 yards on 10 carries, he made an impact with four catches for 58 yards. The offensive line also had a mixed performance, allowing no sacks but struggling to gain yards in the run game.
One standout performance came from freshman kicker Derek Morris, who had a perfect day with five field goals. This tied the record for most field goals made in a game by a Cal kicker. Unfortunately, the team also suffered some injuries, with linebacker Cade Uluave and offensive guard Bastian Swinney both leaving the game due to injuries. However, Wilcox is optimistic that Uluave's injury is not serious and he will be back for their next game.
Despite the challenges, the team was able to come together and secure a much-needed victory. It was a moment of celebration for everyone, including rapper E-40 who was seen walking the sidelines during the game. With this win under their belt, the team is ready to take on their upcoming opponents and finish the season strong.
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