Insta-Recap & Rate the Game: Cal Football Gets First Home Win Against USC Since 2003
Golden Bears defense forced two turnovers against the Trojans
The California Golden Bears (5-7, 4-5 Pac-12) ended the season on a high note with a 24-14 victory against the USC Trojans (4-8, 3-6 Pac-12).
The game, rescheduled from Nov. 13 due to a COVID-19 outbreak in California's football program, is the Golden Bears’ first win over USC at home since a triple-overtime thriller on Sept. 27, 2003.
California’s offense struggled in the second half.
The Golden Bears trailed the Trojans in first downs, earning only five in the second half. In contrast, USC gained 25 first downs, including 12 after the halftime period, despite first-year quarterback Jaxson Dart leaving the game near the end of the third quarter.
Dart did not return to the game after suffering a hard hit from California first-year inside linebacker Femi Oladejo and redshirt senior cornerback Josh Drayden.
While the Golden Bears defense gave up 409 yards to a struggling Trojans team, they forced two fumbles, which led to 13 points for California.
With less than four minutes in the second half, sophomore inside linebacker Trey Paster scored on a fumble returned 55 yards for a touchdown to give California a 17-7 lead before halftime.
The second turnover iced the game for California. With 9:47 left in regulation, cornerback Lu-Magia Hearns III recovered the ball after second-string USC quarterback Miller Moss lost it in a sack.
First-Half Stats
Second-Half Stats
I don't like saying nice things about USC, but good on them for allowing Cal to reschedule the game to this weekend rather than taking the forfeit win a few weeks ago.
Watched from Taiwan. I know this game "didn't mean anything," but I'm not gonna lie that it still gave me happiness vibes. Wish we could've flipped the result of Arizona, Nevada, TCU, or any of our other 1 score losses.