California Overcomes Slow Start, Defeats Texas Southern 35-3
Cal keeps its perfect record against FCS football teams
First-year quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele led the California Golden Bears (2-0) past the Texas Southern Tigers (0-2), 35-3, on Saturday, throwing for 259 yards, one touchdown and an interception, also adding a rushing score.
With this win over Texas Southern, California maintains its perfect record against Football Championship Subdivision teams. The West Coast team also starts a streak on the gridiron against historically Black colleges and universities, building on its 73-14 triumph over HBCU Grambling State in 2015’s season-opening game.
The Golden Bears were slow to start against the Tigers, the FCS roster picked to finish fourth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s preseason poll, racking up only 48 total yards and a modest 3-0 lead in the first quarter.
But California managed to pull away, largely due to successful defensive play, which kept Texas Southern scoreless in the game’s first three quarters. The blue-and-gold made it to halftime 11-0 and extended its lead to 25 unanswered points to start the final period.
All but one of California’s four touchdowns came from carrying the rock.
Signal-caller Sagapolutele put the first touchdown on the board for Cal, running up the middle one yard with 1:19 remaining in the second quarter, which was topped up with a successful two-point conversion run from tight end Mason Mini.
California running back Kendrick Raphael earned his first start and contributed 131 rushing yards on 18 touches of the ball and one rushing touchdown, while redshirt-senior tailback LJ Johnson, Jr., ran for 14, including a 12-yard rush to the left side in the third quarter with 5:30 remaining in the period.
Texas Southern avoided getting blanked on its first trip to Berkeley, Calif., earning its only score with a 39-yard field goal in the fourth quarter that brought the scoreboard to 25-3 with 13:58 remaining in the game.
Blue and Yellow??????? And you write for Cal??????? Regardless of the game, that statement is beyond inexcusable.
Thanks Rick.
Win’s a win - still plenty to work on, and Minnesota will be a helluva test because PJ Fleck can coach and under him that team does not beat themselves.
Liked the adjustments they made at half. I just have so much more confidence in this staff to analyze and digest what’s gone on in-game and tweak things accordingly.
They got plenty of things to work on but it’s nice to be 2-0 while you do. Last year this may have still been closer in the 3rd…maybe into the 4th.