Winning Streak Over! Cal runs all over Arizona Football

BERKELEY, CA – Despite winning the previous six-straight against Cal, Arizona Football (2-2, 0-1) could not hold the Golden Bears this time, losing 49-31. 

Well, all good things must come to an end at some point. And despite not having lost to Cal since 2009, Arizona Football was overmatched in the second half as the Wildcats fell to Cal by a 49-31 final.

Surrendering a school worst, 354 yards rushing and four rushing touchdowns, Cal’s Jaydn Ott was a big reason the Bears’ offense dominated in this one. The Bears freshman ran for 274 and three touchdowns on 19 carries.

However, the first half didn’t quite go that way for the Bears.

Scoring on the second snap of the game, Ott took one 73 yards to the house to give the Bears the early 7-0 lead.

Luckily, the Wildcats would respond with an eight-play, 75-yard drive to tie the game at 7-7 after freshman running back Jonah Coleman punched it in from the one-yard line.

On the next offensive series, Arizona was dominant again. This time driving 92 yards on nine plays that was capped off by a Michael Wiley touchdown from one yard out to make it 14-7 in favor of the Cats.

Unfortunately, Cal would respond with a touchdown of their own a few plays later to tie it at 14-14.

Giving the ball right back to the Cats, Arizona’s offense would be perfect again, this time driving 75 yards on six plays as Arizona would regain the lead at 21-14 after a perfect pass from Jayden de Laura to Tetairoa McMillan.

Still, the Wildcats’ defense couldn’t hold. Responding with a 13-play, 82-yard drive, Cal would tie the game again at 21-21 after a three-yard rushing touchdown from DeCarlos Brooks.

With over three minutes left on the clock in the first half, Arizona would use their time well, driving 41 yards on 10 plays that ended in a Tyler Loop field goal from 37-yards out to give the Cats the lead at 24-21.

However, a big second half by the Golden Bears would overpower Arizona Football as the Wildcats were unable to hang on.

Getting the ball back to start the second half, Arizona’s offense would flutter as just a few plays after receiving the kick-off, the Wildcats punted, which set up an eight-play, 87-yard scoring drive for the Bears to make it 28-24.

Having to punt again a few short plays later, Cal got the ball right back, this time driving 58 yards on five plays that was capped by an 18-yard touchdown run from Ott to extend Cal’s lead to 35-24.

A fumble on the next Arizona offensive series gave Cal the ball right back where the Bears scored yet again, this time on a six-play, 71-yard drive that ended in a 37-yard touchdown reception from Jack Plummer to Jeremiah Hunter to make it 42-24.

On the next offensive series for Arizona, finally, the Wildcats would find the back of the end zone as Jayden de Laura connected with Jacob Cowing to cut Cal’s lead to 42-31.

After a few scoreless drives by the Bears and the Wildcats, Arizona would get the ball again, but an interception by de Laura would set up Cal for a two-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a 72-yard rushing touchdown from Ott to make it 49-31.

Getting one last chance, de Laura would throw yet another interception as Cal went on to secure the 49-31 win.

With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 2-2 (0-1) on the season and will return to action next weekend when they take on Colorado (0-4, 0-1) at home.

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