The Bears dismantled the Beavers, 44-7, on Saturday afternoon in front of 33,090 loyalists at California Memorial Stadium. After losing four straight games by a total margin of nine points,
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Key takeaways
Cal pitches near-perfect game
The Bears dismantled the Beavers, 44-7, on Saturday afternoon in front of 33,090 loyalists at California Memorial Stadium. After losing four straight games by a total margin of nine points, man, did Cal respond in all facets.
All statistical categories favored the Bears. Cal’s kickers made kicks, the offensive line blocked, its defense made Oregon State rotate three different quarterbacks and the home team’s offense erupted.
Plus, it was Bay Area Appreciation Day. The blue and gold had to show out with E-40 as Berkeley’s honorary guest.
O-line steps up
Cal’s offensive line has been concerning all season. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza entered having been sacked 19 times over the last four weeks, and offensive coordinator Mike Bloesch has mentioned wanting to play fast and laterally because of his linemen’s woes. The script was flipped on Saturday, as Mendoza wasn’t sacked once.
Mendoza had all day in the pocket, leading Cal’s offense by completing 27 of 36 passes for 364 yards and two touchdowns — and earned a third on a unique first-quarter lateral from running back Jaivian Thomas. Mendoza, Thomas and running back Jaydn Ott, who is finally healthy, helped the Bears reach 114 rushing yards, too.
Mendoza’s 10 completions of over 15 yards encapsulated the best performance from the Bears’ offensive line this season. With the O-line providing more time for progressions and run-blocking development, Bloesch opened up the playbook, and the scoreboard reflected the result.
Defense returns to normalcy
By all metrics, Cal’s defense is one of the nation’s best. But it looked shaky in the 24-23 loss to North Carolina State in Week 8.
The Bears’ defense, though, looked like itself in Week 9. Cal bullied Oregon State’s injury-riddled project of an offense and held it to one garbage-time touchdown.
The Beavers had just 200 yards of total offense, with 60 on 27 carries and 140 on 14 passes. Oregon State’s quarterback situation, in particular, was dreadful, as the road team cycled through three options — starter Gevani McCoy and backups Ben Gulbranson and Gabarri Johnson — with none doing much.
Down star linebacker Cade Uluave, Cal still limited Oregon State to one first down through its first four drives; the Beavers ended with 12.
Safety Craig Woodson earned his first interception of the season and cornerback Cam Sidney collected a fumble recovery. Hunter Barth forced the fumble on a third-quarter kickoff.
Cal’s special teams: finally serviceable?
Some are saying kicker Derek Morris is the greatest Bears kicker in history — just kidding.
But the true freshman came to play. After missing a game-winner against NC State a week ago, Morris made all five field goal attempts and all three extra points against Oregon State.
He likely earned his spot as the clear-cut kicker moving forward.
And, as mentioned, Barth and Sidney put the candles on the cake for Cal’s special teams.
Cal’s game MVP
Mendoza was the man.
He took advantage of his pass protection and dotted up the Beavers’ secondary, but also was timely with checkdowns. Mendoza’s rushing score via Thomas’ creative lateral was also pretty clean.
On Saturday, the redshirt sophomore looked like an NFL prospect, and the Bears will take that version of Mendoza every time.
Eye-opening stats
The Bears had a trifecta of impressive stat lines.
Cal blocked its first field goal since 2014 in the second quarter. Between the first and third frames, the Bears had six straight drives ending in a score. As for special teams, Morris’ 5-for-5 day tied Cal’s record for most kicks made in a game.
Looking ahead
A bye week looms for the 4-4 Bears.
Cal’s next game will be against 4-4 Wake Forest on Nov. 8 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It will be the programs’ first meeting and the Bears’ fourth cross-country trip of 2024.
The Demon Deacons, who beat the Stanford Cardinal 27-24 on Saturday across the Bay, will also be coming off a bye. Cal will seek its first ACC win in history against Wake Forest.
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