The California Bears will take on in-state rival USC in a Pac-12 showdown this Saturday night. California comes into this game at 3-5 and losers of four straight games. USC comes into this matchup at 7-1 and ranked 9th in the country. Game time is set for 10:30pm EST.
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The California Bears football team is in the midst of an extremely rough patch, with four straight losses coming into this week's matchup with the 9th ranked Trojans. Cal jumped out to a 3-0 lead over the 8th ranked Oregon Ducks at home before getting hit with three touchdowns in less than seven minutes by the Ducks in the second quarter. By halftime, a 10-7 California lead turned into a 21-10 Oregon cushion that they would never relinquish.
“You got to make them earn it more than we did. They have a very good team, a lot of talent out there. Defensively we had too many uncharacteristic coverage busts. Then when we were in good shape we didn’t do a good enough job getting the ball out of the quarterback’s hand. He’s a guy that throw it early in the down and then he can buy time, throw it late, and then as you saw he can scramble. I think defensively those were the things that showed up throughout the game; really late second quarter on.” Cal head coach Justin Wilcox said after the loss.
Cal quarterback Jack Plummer went 20-of-33 for 214 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He was relieved in the fourth quarter by redshirt freshman Kai Millner, who threw the first two touchdown passes of his career. After the game, Wilcox was quick to announce that Plummer is still his starting quarterback. J.Michael Sturdivant led the way with six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. Cal had 21 first downs in the game and 402 total yards of offense. They had two turnovers in the contest as well and went just 4-of-15 on third down, although they did go 2-of-2 on fourth down.
Defensively, the Bears allowed 31 first downs and 586 yards of total offense. The Bears defense allowed Oregon to convert on 50% of their third downs. The Bears had four tackles for loss and picked off two passes in the contest.
remember the name. ??@jmike_04 | #GoBears pic.twitter.com/kVF05iNDTS
— Cal Football (@CalFootball) November 3, 2022
Cal is 98th in the country in scoring offense heading into this game with USC. They have just the 107th ranked rushing attack and the 45th ranked passing attack. The Bears are efficient, ranking 7th in turnover differential and 32nd in the country in penalties per game. On the defensive side of the ball, Cal is ranked just 107th in scoring defense so far this season. They have been gouged on the ground, ranking 107th against the run and an even wore 122nd against the pass.
Key Injuries: Reserve WR Mason Starling is listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury.