Horse vs. UC Davis Thread

Cal coach Justin Wilcox, who declined to name a starting quarterback all week, said on his pregame show that Fernando Mendoza, who started the final eight games last season, will get the call.

Mendoza and North Texas transfer Chandler Rogers competed throughout fall camp and both were being considered for the starting job, Wilcox said.

Cal’s efforts to win for the 12th time without defeat in a streak dating back to 1932 saw them lead by one point at half-time despite being largely outplayed.

Here are the details:

PRE-GAME STAFF UPDATES: No sign that RG Sioape Vaticani or WR Tobias Merriweather will start in pregame warmups. WR Mikey Matthews was on the field and dressed but it remains to be seen if and how much he will play.

9:46 first Q: UC Davis’ Hunter Ridley misses right on a 46-yard field goal after the Aggies drove from their own 23 to the Cal 29. The Bears, who went 3-and-out on their first possession, take over at the 29. Cal 0, UC Davis 0

6:23 First Q: Jaydn Ott scores on a 1-yard run and Ryan Coe converts the PAT. The Bears went 71 yards on eight plays. They looked to score two plays early when Mendoza passed to New Mexico State transfer Jonathan Brady, who was hit by safety Rex Connors at the 6 but popped up and rolled into the end zone. The play was initially ruled a touchdown, but an official review showed Brady’s left knee touched the ground at the 6. A personal foul flag against the Aggies moved the ball to the 3. Ott scored two plays later. Other big plays along the way: a 19-yard completion to Mavin Anderson, a 17-yard pass to TE Corey Dyches and a 23-yard pass to Ott. Cal 7, UC Davis 0.

0:16 first Q: Cal’s defense stopped Davis on a fourth-and-goal play from the 2 before disaster greeted the Bears. RB Kadarius Calloway, on his first carry as a transfer from Old Dominion, was hit by Kavin Bains and hit. Linebacker Porter Connor took the big leap and trotted into the end zone from the 6-yard line. The PAT was wide left. Cal 7, UC Davis 6.

4:42 second question: Lan Larison scores on a 1-yard run to cap a nine-play, 66-yard drive. Ridley’s PAT is good this time as the Aggies take the lead. Larison had four rushes for 32 yards on the drive, including gains of 17 and 13 yards. UC Davis 13, Cal 7.

4:32 second question: Well, the Aggies’ lead lasted all of 10 seconds. They started short to avoid letting Jaydn Ott touch the ball, and cornerback Nohl Williams picked it up at the East 20-yard line and ran 80 yards for a touchdown. Cal 14, UC Davis 13.

ON THE PUMP: Cal 14, UC Davis 13. The stats suggest that the Aggies are at least in control of this game, though certainly not dominating.

UC Davis ran 48 plays in the first half to just 21 for Cal. The Aggies outgained the Bears 234 yards to 109, including 82 on 30 rushing yards. The first down is 16 to 4 in favor of the Aggies.

Running back Lan Larison, the Big Sky preseason player of the year, rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown. Cal starback Jaydn Ott was well contained, rushing six times for just 11 yards.

Mendoza started and played the first four offensive series, guiding the Bears to their only offensive touchdown. He was 7-for-8 for 79 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Rogers was the Bears’ QB for the final three drives of the half, going 1-for-3 for zero yards and rushing three times for 15 yards.

7:18 third question: Cal maintains its lead when Ott goes around right end for a 6-yard TD. The Bears drove 55 yards in 10 plays, including a key fourth-and-4 conversion from the UC Davis 49 where Mendoza passed 7 yards to Utah transfer Mikey Matthews for a first down. Mendoza also had a 12-yard completion to Mavin Anderson and a 9-yard run up the middle on a designed keeper. Cal 21, UC Davis 13.

2:14 third question: The Bears extend their lead on a 25-yard field goal by freshman kicker Ryan Coe. But the scoring drive may have come at a cost. Ott, who carried four times for 21 yards per possession, limped off (unassisted) after a 4-yard gain to the 12. No immediate word on his condition, but we’ll be surprised if he returns. Cal 24, UC Davis 13.

14:15 4th Q: The Bears clinched this one after WR Nyziah Hunter, a redshirt freshman from Salinas, caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Mendoza, swinging it right off the ground into the end zone on a fourth-down play. Cal went 29 yards in six plays after ILB Cade Uluave’s interception. Cal 31, UC Davis 13.

*****

Some Pre-Game Reads:

— Extended today game preview

— Can a deep dive into tranceA portal to help Cal turn his fortunes around after four straight losing seasons?

— The inner aligner Teddye Buchanan could become a star for Cal after transferring from UC Davis

— A drunk writer for UC Davis answers us 5 questions about the Aggies