Cal vs. Miami Football Insta-Recap & Rate the Game: Bears Can't Grab the Upset, Fall 38-39 to the 'Canes
Miami scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to beat Cal
After a solid defensive showing in the first half, the California Golden Bears (3-2, 0-2 ACC) gave up 21 unanswered points to the visiting No. 8 Miami Hurricanes (6-0, 2-0 ACC), failing in its upset bid, dropping the game 38-39.
California's defense held Miami to only 10 points in the first half, and the Golden Bears went into the break with a 21-10 scoreline, thanks to big plays from quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza found tight end Jack Endries for a 57-yard touchdown to tie up the score 7-7 in the first quarter, and running back Jaydn Ott landed a 66-yard reception to extend the Golden Bears' lead to 21-10. Ott had another score on a five-yard run at the beginning of the second quarter.
However, Miami senior quarterback Cameron Ward would lead his team back in the fourth quarter. Ward threw his only two touchdowns in the last period of the game and even ran 24 yards for a rushing touchdown with 4:19 remaining.
Yes, there were some atrocious calls down the stretch but it shouldn’t even come to that. Wilcox had a completely undeserved opportunity after 7 1/2 years of disappointment to pull a fanbase right back in, and in that moment, he pulled the quintessential example of the last 7 1/2 years.
How can you expect a fanbase to keep showing up for this punishment time and time again?
I try to not be reactionary and coming off of a 45 minute walk to cool down, I can comfortably say that this one broke me in a way others haven’t before.
OK.
Since I tend to be a sunshine pumper.
1. Our offense scored 38 points on the #8 ranked team. Our team never quit.
2. Our student fans, themselves balled out and showed up strong with no quit.
3. We competed with the #8 team.
4. We have a jumpstart on reviving interest and increasing our fan base.
5. Our recruit targets had to be impressed, even if we lost, oh, so, heartbreakingly and narrowly.
6. Did anybody honestly imagine us being in this game by the Fourth Quarter? If you're honest, your'e surprised we did as well as we did.
Things that could be better:
Time of possession in the second half was a joke. Play-calling went mostly vanilla. A joke that put most of the second half of the game on the sturdy, but human shoulders of our defense. In my humble opinion, SIrmon needs a raise. And Bloesch, too, impressed with some interesting and effective adjustments.
Fun Fact: It ACC officiating that made the Immaculate Encroachment call. Did you notice the other refs, after seeing it on the big screen, seemed to be questioning the head referee about the targeting non-call?