In a remarkable turn of events, the California Golden Bears pulled off a stunning upset against the No. 21 Southern Methodist University Mustangs on Saturday night, winning 38-35. Freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele delivered a performance for the ages, throwing for a career-high 330 yards and four touchdowns. He orchestrated a decisive 75-yard drive in the final 2:22, sealing the victory in front of 28,956 fans at Memorial Stadium.
The backdrop to the game was tumultuous for Cal football. After a disappointing loss in the Big Game against rival Stanford, the Bears were further shaken by the firing of nine-year head coach Justin Wilcox. However, interim coach Nick Rolovich rallied the team, emphasizing the importance of competing for one another, stating, “What a football game… we talked about being ready for a dogfight, expecting to win.”
Despite holding a 31-14 lead entering the fourth quarter, the Bears faced a fierce comeback from SMU, which briefly took a 35-31 advantage. However, Sagapolutele remained composed, completing all five passes on the game-winning drive, showcasing his poise under pressure.
“He”s such a wonderful kid to be around,” Rolovich remarked about Sagapolutele. “Accurate. The mastery of the plays… he”s not here for the 330 yards. He”s here for the winning.” The Bears” victory not only marked their first winning season since 2019 but also secured a non-losing conference record for the first time since 2009.
The game reached its climax when running back Kendrick Raphael scored the go-ahead touchdown on his 33rd carry of the night, finishing with 111 yards. As time wound down, SMU attempted a last-minute field goal to extend the game, but freshman kicker Sam Keltner”s attempt sailed wide right from 52 yards, clinching the win for Cal.
Senior defensive lineman Aidan Keanaaina expressed the team”s relief and joy, reflecting on the challenging week they endured. “We had a lot of stuff happen surrounding the Cal program,” he said. “We had one message from Coach Rolo: Play for each other.”
Wide receiver Jacob De Jesus contributed significantly, catching a touchdown pass that helped establish an early lead. He finished the game with 12 receptions for 97 yards, moving to second on Cal”s single-season receptions list with 99 catches, closing in on the program record.
Sagapolutele”s standout performance not only highlighted his talent but also positioned him among the top passers in the nation for freshmen, now totaling over 3,100 yards this season. The Bears will look forward to their bowl game assignment next Sunday, carrying the momentum from this pivotal victory.
