This one is going to hurt for a long time. The vibes surrounding Berkeley and the Cal football team had been immaculate all week. As for Cal fans, they should think of all the good that led up to the game instead of the final result.
At one point, Cal jumped out to what felt like an insurmountable lead in the third quarter. Unfortunately, the Cam Ward-led Miami Hurricanes scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to snatch every fan’s soul in Cal Memorial Stadium. Miami came all the way down from 35-10 to stun Cal with a final score of 39-38.
How did it get there? Let’s dive in.
A dominating first half
The first half felt like a dream. Cal was dominating on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza had a pair of touchdown passes in the first half.
The first was a 55-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jack Endries on a fake screen that the Miami defense bit hard on. The second was a quick pass to Jaydn Ott on a critical fourth down play, who made the house call by scampering 66 yards down the sideline.
On fourth down, Cal runs a play action pass to Jaydn Ott for a 66-yard touchdown.
WHAT A PLAY BY CAL. #GoBears pic.twitter.com/78OB6UEERc
— Tommy Jets (@ThomasCP_NFL) October 6, 2024
It would be Ott’s second score of the game; after punching it in from five yards out earlier in the contest.
Miami would score on a short-yardage touchdown run by Mark Fletcher Jr., and later on a 46-yard field goal. Cal would lead going into the half 21-10.
A second half meltdown
The second half started strong for the Golden Bears. Nohl Williams started things off with an interception that he returned for a 40-yard touchdown. Cal later pulled out one of their bag of tricks and brought in QB Chandler Rogers, who rushed a touchdown to his left from nine yards out.
Cal marches down the field and caps off their drive with a designed quarterback run by Chandler Rogers. Cal is now up 34-10 midway through the third quarter.#GoBears | #UpsetWatch pic.twitter.com/PNiWt9wVdu
— Tommy Jets (@ThomasCP_NFL) October 6, 2024
At that point, Cal had jumped out to a 35-10 lead with eight minutes left in the third quarter. The Bears would later add a field goal, but that’s where the points ended for Cal.
In the end, it was a total second-half collapse after the Rogers touchdown. Ward showed why he’s one of the top Heisman candidates in the country. The senior quarterback led the Hurricanes to four straight touchdown drives, including an impressive 24-yard scramble.
With just over four minutes to go, Cam Ward scrambles for a 24-yard touchdown run. They've cut Cal's lead to six points. #GoCanes pic.twitter.com/xLR3BPnmTT
— Tommy Jets (@ThomasCP_NFL) October 6, 2024
Ultimately, the defense was on the field far too much. Miami dominated the time of possession in the football game with 37:35, compared to 22:25 for Cal. Miami had 385 yards of total offense in the second half, and the Golden Bears defense had no answer. This game was there for the taking, but a stagnant second-half offense and questionable calls by the officials buried them.
Cal game balls
Craig Woodson
The first game ball deserves to go to safety Craig Woodson. Woodson, now in his sixth season with the Bears, had one of his more memorable games last night. The safety made nice tackles all over the field and finished the game with eight total. He would also have two pass breakups and a tackle for loss.
Yet another HUGE play by the Cal defense. Ward looks deep to Jacolby George, but a great play by Craig Woodson breaks it up. #GoBears pic.twitter.com/oIjvpZx6pN
— Tommy Jets (@ThomasCP_NFL) October 6, 2024
Cade Uluave
Cade Uluave played with a lot of toughness and grit in this game. His efforts should not go unnoticed in this loss. Uluave led the defense in total tackles with 15, and had a pair of quarterback pressures. He truly is one of the leaders of this football team and it was evident that he left it all out on the field. The leader of the defense deserved a game ball for his efforts.
Jack Endries
Endries had his coming out party in this game. Mendoza was able to connect with him multiple times, including the 55-yard pass where Endries outran everyone down the sideline. He would finish the game with three catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. Endries led all Cal players in receiving yards, and that’s why he gets a game ball.
Game Overview
From a Cal fan perspective, losing this football game hurts. Fans went above and beyond the entire week – including an incredible turnout at College Gameday. A win would have been a perfect fairytale ending. Instead, it ended with a gut punch.
It was a physical game all the way through and fans should be proud of how the team performed. Still. the players and coaches need to put this one behind them quickly. It doesn’t get any easier next week as the team travels back east to take on the undefeated Pittsburgh Panthers. Cal needs to find a way to get back on track after losing their last two games.
Cody Henderson
I root for teams that only let me down. Talking all things Las Vegas Raiders and Cal Bears football. Follow me on X where I post my dramatic takes.