Cal Berkeley (3-7) played the University of Virginia (5-5) at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville.
The first Virginia drive saw the Cavaliers go for it on a 4th and manageable, and get it, putting them at Cal’s 24. Cal, opting for a traditional single-high defense, did not have a free safety available to cover the QB run, which Beau Pribula availed himself of, one play before a throw to Da’Shawn Martin, giving the receiver his seventh touchdown of the year and putting Virginia in front 6-0 after Khamani Hudson managed to block the extra point. The next scoring drive would belong to Virginia as well, and came in the second quarter, ending in a completed field goal by the skilled fifth-year senior Will Bettridge, bringing the score to 9-0 Virginia with just over eight minutes left in the first half.
Cal’s first successful drive was aided by two defensive pass interference plays that eventually found the Bears inside Virginia’s 10-yard line. Upon reaching fourth down, and with the half nearly over, the kicking team came on the field, with Cal seemingly taking the points. It was a trick play that found tight end Mason Mini as the acting QB. Throwing on the run, he was intercepted by Brandyn Hillman, who ran the ball back the full length of the field. This time the extra point was good, making it 16-0 Virginia.
The Golden Bears ran tempo to end the half and matriculated the ball down the field with expedience. The drive ended in a scoring touchdown from running back Adam Mohammed, and Townes McGough’s extra point made it 16-7 going into halftime.
Virginia took control in the second half, jumping on Cal, which went three-and-out to begin the third quarter. The Cavaliers were not terribly successful on offense despite dominating the game, managing to get in position for a 30-yard field goal to bring the score to 19-7. As the third quarter ran out, Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw a second interception that was taken back for a score by Kam Robinson, who picked off JKS when the teams met last year as well, making it 26-7 after the extra point.
The fourth quarter would feature a 41-yard field goal from Will Bettridge to make it 29-7. Sophomore Cal safety Aidan Manutai went down with a scary injury, but left the field on his own feet with additional help. On the next play, backup Virginia QB Eli Holstein found Jack Rhodes for a 35-yard completion to bring the ball to Cal’s goal line. Cavs’ RB Xay Davis scored on the following play, making the score 36-7 after the extra point was made.
With today’s loss, Cal loses bowl eligibility for the season. The Golden Bears have been outscored a cumulative 83-0 in the second half of their last three contests. Their next game is next Saturday in Berkeley, when they welcome the Stanford Cardinal for the 129th Big Game.
These epically dramatic loses call for an epically dramatic change in the coaching position. We have no time to waste.
Some very tough decisions will need to be made in the very near future. RR shares as much blame as anyone here, I'm sorry to say.