On Saturday night, the California Golden Bears (3-2, 1-1 PAC-12) endured a 52-40 loss to the No.15 ranked Oregon State Beavers at Memorial Coliseum in Berkeley, California.
Coming off a mounting win against a previously No.10 ranked Utah team, the Beavs looked to add another game into the win column within the PAC-12.
The Beavers, however, would be without key defensive players James Rawls and Calvin Hart Jr for the first half, due to targeting penalties cited against them in the win against Utah.
After picking up a stop on fourth down against the Golden Bears on their opening drive, Beaver starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei found an early rhythm connecting with Anthony Gould and Deshaun Fenwick on quick passes to break into Cal territory.
A pair of short runs from Gould and Fenwick, asserted the Beavers in the end zone, capping off the nine play 53-yard drive with a play-action touchdown from Uiagalelei to tight-end Jack Velling putting the Beavs ahead 7-0 early in the contest.
When the Golden Bears took over, first-game starter, quarterback Fernando Mendoza found his tight-end Jack Endries on a 21-yard pitch and catch across midfield. A few strong runs and missed tackles from the Beavs had the Golden Bears knocking on the door of the red zone but were only able to walk away with a field goal from kicker Mateen Bhaghani. 7-3 Beavers.
On the ensuing kickoff, Beaver returner Silas Bolden was given an opportunity to shine as he gashed the Golden Bears’ special team’s unit for a 58-yard return. A late 15-yard penalty against Cal would push the Beavs inside the red zone at the start of their third drive.
Head Coach Jonathan Smith stuck with his guns and brought out true-freshman quarterback Aiden Chiles once again to test Cal defenders early in the game. Following two timeouts, Chiles delivered a strike to Bolden in the end zone on third down. An Atticus Sappington extra point pushed the Beavs ahead 14-3.
With the Beavers failing to catch Cal off-guard with an onside kick attempt, Mendoza and the Golden Bears worked their way into the end zone on a nine-yard reception touchdown to running back Isaiah Ifanse making the score 14-10.
A few plays later, Cal’s defense unit came up big, forcing a fumble against Bolden. With the Beaver defense on their heels, Mendoza and the Golden Bears worked their way deep into Beaver territory before capping off the drive with a rushing touchdown from Ifanse for his second score of the game. 17-14 Golden Bears.
Not letting the momentum slip, the Beavers worked the ‘two-minute drill’ and strutted down the field once more. On a beautiful touch-pass from Uiagalelei, Velling found himself in the end zone again for his second touchdown of the game.
On the kickoff out of halftime, Bolden and the Beaver return team ignited the offense with another impressive return. After a rush from Damien Martinez brought the Beavs across midfield, Uiagalelei launched a strike downfield finding wide-receiver Josiah Irish on a fake screen and go route development. Beavers capitalized the score; 28-17 out of the halftime break.
The Golden Bears refused to give up, Ifanse would pull out the hat-trick, capping off the 10 play, 75-yard drive, with his third score of the contest. Beavers remained ahead 28-24.
With the Golden Bears failing to stop the Beaver offense, Beaver offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren put both his feet on the gas. On the ninth play of the drive, Uiagalelei and Velling strengthen their connection as Velling falls in for his third touchdown of the game.
The Beavers had gained momentum, making the score 35-24 with 5:40 remaining in the third quarter.
Led by Mendoza, the Golden Bears found their stride offensively. Utilizing the no-huddle offense, the Golden Bears were able to catch the Beavs sleeping in the secondary as Mendoza found Endries down the field for a 30-yard touchdown reception.
Cal would successfully complete the two-point conversion to make it a three-point game. The Beavers led 35-32 with 1:20 remaining in the third quarter.
Cutting into the start of the fourth quarter, the Beavers pieced together yet another impressive drive. Sparked by a diving catch from Gould on third down, the Beavers marched to the goal line capping off the drive with a rushing touchdown from Martinez on fourth and goal to push the Beavers ahead by 10. 42-32.
As Cal took over, the run game became their weapon. After a long read-option play from Mendoza, Beaver defender Sione Lolohea punched the ball loose from Cal running back Ashton Stredick to give the Beavs excellent field position.
Following a rush from Martinez inside Golden Bear territory, Uiagalelei found fullback/defensive linemen Isaac Hodgins for the two-yard touchdown grab. Hodgins becomes the only current player in college football this season with a sack, a catch, and a touchdown reception. Beavers go up 49-32.
After a fresh set of downs coming out of a stoppage, Mendoza could not connect with his receivers downfield as Jermod McCoy undercuts the route for the Beavers second takeaway of the game.
With 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Beavers began to run down the clock.
Fenwick kept the drive alive on third and 17 as the clock continued to tick under three minutes. Sappington pushed the ball through the uprights to give the Beavers a 20-point lead.
The Golden Bears drove down the field for a late nine-yard score from running back Javian Thomas, making the score 52-40 Beavers. But with 1:04 remaining in the game, the Beavers came back out on offense for their final time in the contest, in victory formation
This game marks the highest scoring matchup in the history of these two teams.
Up next, the Beavers take on University of California, Los Angeles Bruins in Corvallis on Oct. 14 at 5 p.m.
