Down 21-10 at the break and 35-18 after three, this one almost turned into one of the biggest upsets of the 2024 college football season as the unbeaten Miami Hurricanes needed 21 points in the 4th Qtr, including a TD pass from Cam Ward with just 26 seconds left to just squeeze by Cal 39-38. Both teams took their first possessions to warm up but after that Cal scored on back-to-back-to-back TD’s—all the result of very long pass completions by their Sophomore QB Fernando Mendoza. The first, a 57 yard TD pass to Sophomore TE Jack Andries; the second, a 5 yard TD run by their Junior RB Jaydn Ott after a 51 yard completion from Mendoza to Junior WR Trond Grizzell; and the third, a 66 yard TD connection to Ott from Mendoza. You think maybe the Hurricanes have a bit of a problem with pass defense? With Miami getting the ball to start the game and scoring on their second possession to go up 7-0, that first TD for Cal was to tie the score. The second was to go up 14-7 with the third putting them ahead 21-10 after an intervening Miami field goal and where it would stay through the break.
After holding the Golden Bears to a three-and-out to start the second half it was more of the same with Cal’s Senior Defensive Back Noel Williams intercepting Cam Ward on Miami’s first play of the 3rd Qtr for a pick six—going out in front 28-10. Forcing the Hurricanes to punt Cal would score again on a Chandler Rogers 9 yard TD run after two long Mendoza receptions—one for 56 yards to Jaivian Thomas and one for 20 yards to Jack Endries to go up 35-10. After that Miami finally got the message and their Senior QB Cam Ward went on a passing frenzy as the Hurricanes would score four TD’s in a row while holding Cal to a field goal and two punts to win it by a single point.
On a day in which Cal hosted ESPN’s College Game Day for the very first time, in spite of the eventual loss I think Nick Saban, Kirk Herbstreit and friends got their money’s worth in front of a sellout stadium—something that hasn’t happened there for a couple of years as well as a seven year draught since they’ve beaten a Top-10 team. What’s that saying, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. For Cal, although Mendoza was able to connect just 50% of the time he gained 285 yards on just 11 completions to go along with 2 TD’s and one interception. On the ground they rushed 25 times for 73 yards and two TD’s from Rogers and Jaydn Ott. For Miami, Cam Ward was 35-of-53 for 437 yards spread out multiple times to six different receivers, 2 TD’s and 1 pick in addition to rushing the ball for another score. Senior Wide Receiver Xavier Restrepo got the lion’s share of the yards, 163 on 7 receptions, while it was Sophomore WR Isaiah Horton and Junior TE Elijah Arroyo hauling in the TD’s. On the ground the Hurricanes rushed 33 times for 138 yards with Sophomore RB Mark Fletcher Jr. and Junior RB Damien Martinez (a portal transfer from Oregon State) combining for 23 carries and 123 of those yards as well as a TD each.
Looking at the game stats the one point different in score is quite incredible. Miami recorded 30 first downs compared to 12 for Cal; had 200+ more yards of total offense; made three-of-four fourth down conversions and had possession of the ball for 15 extra minutes. I think what made the game so close was that Cal only spent about 11 game minutes on possessions where they scored points. Their first three TD’s took less than five minutes and their first of the second half was a 14 second pick six. Their final TD and field goal took more time than all of those combined. One other team stat stuck out—Miami was penalized 9 times for 110 yards.
It’s probably a good thing that Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes have a bye week after this one because I’m sure Louisville, who scores 38+ a game and allows less than 20, and has a Top-20 QB in Tyler Shough who loves to throw the ball will be taking a look at this tape and be very excited about knocking off an undefeated Top-10 team—which I’m betting they will. Regarding Cal and in spite of the fact that according to the AP, “The Bears have lost 10 straight games against ranked teams and are 1-26 against top-10 teams since the start of the 2004 season,” I hope they hit the road to take on Pittsburgh with the feeling that they can compete against anyone. It sure looked like it in this one.