UPDATE: The Cal Golden Bears are set to kick off against the Oregon State Beavers at 7:30 p.m. today at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon. This matchup is crucial for Cal, who is aiming to break their streak of mediocre seasons and secure their first winning record since 2019.
Both teams enter the game with significant stakes. Cal holds a record of 6-7 overall and 2-6 in the ACC, while Oregon State stands at 5-7 overall, recently kicking off their Pac-12 campaign with a win. With Chancellor Rich Lyons publicly stating that another .500 season is unacceptable, the pressure is on head coach Justin Wilcox and new general manager Ron Rivera. Rivera emphasized that a successful season means achieving eight or nine wins.
In a dramatic twist, left-handed freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele will make his debut tonight, winning the starting position over Ohio State transfer Devin Brown. This marks a significant moment for Cal, as the last freshman quarterback to start for the Bears was Jared Goff during a 2013 loss to Northwestern.
Meanwhile, Oregon State is not without its stars. The Beavers are led by Maalik Murphy, a towering quarterback who transferred from Duke. Last season, Murphy posted a staggering 2,933 passing yards and a program-record 26 touchdowns. The Beavers also feature senior running back Anthony Hankerson, who rushed for 1,082 yards and 15 TDs last year, and senior receiver Trent Walker, who caught 81 passes for 901 yards.
This game is vital for both teams, not just for pride but for momentum in their respective seasons. Cal’s defensive struggles could be a concern, especially with four defensive backs from last year’s team, including those responsible for 12 of their 17 interceptions, no longer on the roster. However, the Bears did lead the nation with 22 takeaways last season, a statistic they hope to replicate.
Fans are eager for this clash, as Cal leads the all-time series against Oregon State 40-37, having dominated their last encounter with a 44-7 win in Berkeley last year. The stakes are high, and the atmosphere is charged with anticipation as both teams look to define their seasons.
As kickoff approaches, all eyes will be on both coaching staffs and their strategies. Can Cal turn their aspirations into reality? Will Oregon State leverage their home-field advantage and continue their winning streak?
Stay tuned for live updates and analysis as this critical matchup unfolds.
