Things are starting to look up for Cal, which aims for its third straight win Saturday when Syracuse pays a visit to Berkeley, Calif.
The Golden Bears (5-4, 1-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) have won two games in a row after dropping their previous four contests. They notched their largest margin of victory in 2024 when they trounced Oregon State 44-7 on Oct. 26. Then after a bye week, they earned their first ACC victory by topping Wake Forest 46-36 on Nov. 8 in Winston-Salem, N.C.
“We found a way to win,” Bears coach Justin Wilcox said after his team racked up 500 yards of offense against the Demon Deacons.
Cal’s offensive production revolved around Fernando Mendoza, who threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. He set career highs for passing yards (385) and rushing yards (51), helping his team overcome a quiet day on the ground.
“The quarterback run game was a big element last week, especially late in the second half,” Wilcox said. “I should say that was noticeable. But we want to be able to (run the ball) because if we run the ball better, those stats are going to be even better.”
Mikey Matthews led the Cal receivers with eight catches for 83 yards and a score — his first of the season — and noted afterward that there has been good energy surrounding the team.
“The vibes, the last few weeks, have been up,” Matthews said. “The guys are staying positive.”
Syracuse (6-3, 3-3) could be facing a morale challenge after losing two of its past three games — and even the one win in that stretch (38-31 over Virginia Tech) required a major second-half rally and overtime. The Orange absorbed a 37-31 loss at Boston College last weekend despite getting 392 passing yards and two touchdowns from Kyle McCord.
“We’re just gonna keep pushing and keep playing,” first-year coach Fran Brown said.
Brown hopes that mantra resonates with his team early and often on Saturday. The Orange have not scored a first-quarter point in their past three games and have been blanked in the first quarter in five of their nine contests.
“It’s kind of been a theme all year,” McCord said. “I feel like we either start really fast or we start really slow.”
McCord certainly will keep a close eye on Cal cornerback Nohl Williams, who leads the nation with seven interceptions, including one against Wake Forest. The Bears have recorded at least one turnover in 11 straight games (and 44 of their past 47 contests).
Of course, McCord is no slouch. He has thrown for at least 300 yards in eight of the nine games and is averaging 350.3 yards — tops in the nation — with 23 passing TDs, fifth in the country.
“They’ve done a real good job,” Brown said of the Syracuse offense. “They’ve been able to carry our football team.”
Regarding how Cal will approach slowing the Orange, Wilcox said, “We have to pick and choose when to pressure, but it’s going to be a team effort. It’ll take everybody involved this week.”
The Orange and Bears have met only twice — a Syracuse home win in 1967 and a Cal home win in 1968.
