BERKELEY — Cal has cast a 5-2 begin to its soccer season for the primary time in 10 years.
However the Bears’ 21-18 victory over coach Invoice Belichick’s struggling North Carolina staff on Friday night time at Memorial Stadium received’t be the usual they aspire to the remainder of the way in which.
“They’re hard to come by so we will celebrate a victory,” mentioned Cal coach Justin Wilcox, whose staff was favored by as many as 10.5 factors late within the week. “We have to play much better football moving forward in every phase of the game — that’s obvious.”
Cal went to nice lengths to enhance its offensive manufacturing this season — bringing on board an virtually solely new workers on that aspect of the ball, led by coordinator Bryan Harsin.
However after averaging 32 factors via their first three video games, the Bears (5-2, 2-1 ACC) are scoring simply 17.5 factors per sport in 4 outings since.
Two performs by defensive backs — one early, one late — saved their bacon in opposition to the Tar Heels.
Cam Sidney compelled and recovered a fumble on UNC’s first play of the sport, establishing a 25-yard scoring that gave the Bears a fast 7-0 lead.
Kendrick Raphael #1 of the California Golden Bears celebrates after scoring a landing within the second half in opposition to the North Carolina Tar Heels at California Memorial Stadium on Oct. 17, 2025 in Berkeley, California. (Picture by Thien-An Truong/Getty Photographs)
Then, with the Tar Heels (2-4, 0-2) a step or two from taking the their first lead of the night time, Brent “Paco” Austin modified all the pieces.
Carolina had second-and-8 from the Cal 13-yard line when quarterback Geo Lopez linked with huge receiver Nathan Leacock steaming towards the purpose line.
Austin, a senior switch from South Florida, arrived too late to cease Leacock’s momentum into the tip zone, however he punched the ball free close to the 1-yard line, then scrambled after it for the restoration on the left fringe of the tip zone with 3:48 left.
“That’s as good of an individual player as we’ve had this year,” Wilcox mentioned. “That is an elite play. Whatever adjective you want to throw in front of it, that’s what it was.”
Austin known as it the most important play he’s made in his soccer profession.
A LOT TO FIX
Other than the 2 huge defensive performs and the result, Wilcox wasn’t completely happy about a lot his staff did. The issues on offense have been distinguished.
Cal totaled simply 294 yards, the third time previously 4 video games the Bears have failed to succeed in 300 yards. They didn’t flip the ball over — an enormous enchancment after six turnovers the earlier three video games — however they averaged simply 2.6 yards per rush. Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele accomplished solely 54 % (21 for 39) for a season-low 209 yards, though he did have a landing move and a TD run.
“Penalties (9 for 79 yards) were terrible. We dropped the ball too many times. We’ve got to play the run better. Punt game? We’ve got to do a better job there,” Wilcox mentioned, referring a 36.8-yard common on eight punts.
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele #3 of the California Golden Bears throws a move throughout the first half in opposition to the North Carolina Tar Heels at California Memorial Stadium on Oct. 17, 2025 in Berkeley, California. (Picture by Thien-An Truong/Getty Photographs)
“That wasn’t a complete game from us by any means, far from it,” slot receiver Jacob De Jesus mentioned.
DE JESUS RESPONDS
Huge receiver Trond Grizzell and tight finish Mason Mini entered Friday night time with a mixed 50 catches for 687 yards. Grizzell didn’t catch a move in opposition to Carolina’s defensive consideration and Mini had only one for 8 yards on six targets.
De Jesus was the beneficiary, grabbing 13 passes for 105 yards and a landing.
“What they were doing gave Jacob more opportunities,” Wilcox mentioned. “He wants the ball, he competes really hard and he’s got one speed.”
A switch from UNLV, De Jesus had probably the most catches by a Cal participant in 9 seasons and tied for the sixth-most ever in a sport. He now has 47 receptions for 398 yards with three TDs.
NEXT UP
The Bears play subsequent Friday night time at Virginia Tech (2-5, 1-2), which has misplaced its previous two video games and had a bye this weekend. A victory would make Cal bowl eligible for the third straight season.
