In a remarkable display of resilience, the University of California, Berkeley football team, known as the Golden Bears, achieved a stunning 38-35 victory over No. 21 Southern Methodist University (SMU) on a night filled with emotions. Freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele delivered an impressive performance, throwing for a career-high 330 yards and four touchdowns, culminating in a game-winning 75-yard drive in the last 2:22 of the game.
The contest took place at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, where a crowd of 28,956 witnessed a thrilling game. The victory provided a much-needed boost for the Bears, who faced a tumultuous week after suffering a heartbreaking loss to rival Stanford, followed by the firing of nine-year head coach Justin Wilcox.
Interim coach Nick Rolovich praised his team”s ability to fight back after losing a 31-14 lead in the fourth quarter. “What a football game,” he said, reflecting on the high stakes and intense moments that characterized the matchup. Rolovich emphasized the importance of mental readiness for the challenges the game presented.
Despite a haunting similarity to a previous collapse against Miami, where the Bears squandered a lead last season, Sagapolutele”s poise shone through. He completed all five passes for 61 yards during the decisive drive after SMU had taken a 35-31 lead.
“He”s such a wonderful kid to be around,” Rolovich mentioned about Sagapolutele. “He”s not here for the 330 yards. He”s here for the winning.” This victory marked a significant milestone for the Bears, securing their first winning season since 2019 and a non-losing conference record for the first time since 2009.
The game remained tight until running back Kendrick Raphael scored the go-ahead touchdown with only 43 seconds left, finishing with 111 rushing yards on 33 carries. After Raphael”s touchdown, SMU attempted a quick response but was thwarted when freshman kicker Sam Keltner missed a 52-yard field goal attempt as time expired.
Senior defensive lineman Aidan Keanaaina expressed the emotional toll the season had taken, stating, “It was hard. We had a lot of stuff happen surrounding the Cal program. We had one message from Coach Rolo: Play for each other.”
The Bears entered the game determined to channel their difficult week into a collective effort on the field. Senior wide receiver Jacob De Jesus noted the team”s motivation to play not just for their fallen coach but for one another. “It was a bumpy road this season,” he said. “We have nothing to lose.”
Sagapolutele”s standout performance included three touchdown passes to lesser-utilized receivers, showcasing the depth of talent on the team. With this victory, he climbed the ranks of Cal”s single-season passing leaders, solidifying his position as a key player for the future.
As the Bears celebrate this hard-fought win, they await their bowl game assignment, looking to build on this momentum moving forward.
