The euphoria of Cal’s stirring come-from-behind win over rival Stanford within the 127th Large Recreation final week dissipated in a rush on Saturday afternoon in suburban Dallas.
With quarterback Fernando Mendoza sidelined by an in a single day sickness, the Bears had no growl on offense at No. 9 SMU, trailing 21-0 at halftime on the best way to a 38-6 defeat of their regular-season finale.
The Bears additionally performed with out left deal with Nick Morrow — their solely offensive lineman who had began each recreation — and main rusher Jaivian Thomas. Already they entered the sport sans guard Sioape Vatikani and inside linebacker Cade Uluave, each on the shelf with accidents.
By the point it was over, Cal was taking part in with its third-string quarterback and one other offensive lineman went to the sideline with an damage.
The outcome wasn’t fairly towards the Mustangs (11-1, 8-0), who accomplished an ideal inaugural season within the Atlantic Coast Convention and can play Clemson in subsequent Saturday’s ACC championship recreation. SMU additionally enhanced its prospects of touchdown a spot within the 12-team school soccer playoff.
Cal (6-6, 2-6) didn’t fare as nicely in its first ACC marketing campaign, shedding 4 convention video games by a complete of 9 factors earlier than getting its act collectively over the previous month. The Bears had received three of 4 earlier than arriving at SMU, the place they had been practically two-touchdown underdogs.
The Bears already had achieved bowl eligibility for the second straight season and can discover out the place and who they’re taking part in inside per week.
With out Mendoza, a three-time ACC Quarterback of the Week, Cal had no offense and no probability towards SMU.
Chandler Rogers #7 of the California Golden Bears throws throughout the first half of the sport towards the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Nov. 30, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Picture by Sam Hodde/Getty Pictures)
Switch Chandler Rogers, who handed for greater than 7,000 yards at Louisiana Monroe and North Texas and had been efficient in spot obligation this season, appeared rusty and out of rhythm early after possible getting few first-team observe reps all week.
By the point he settled in, SMU had management of the sport.
And Rogers didn’t make it to the end line, both. He injured his left leg on a scramble for a primary down with 9:13 left within the third quarter, ending his day 8 for 15 for 84 yards.
He was changed by third-stringer CJ Harris, who hadn’t thrown a move all season for the Bears.
A redshirt sophomore switch from Ohio U, Harris had two runs of seven yards every and a 14-yard completion to Mikey Mathews, getting the Bears into place for Ryan Coe’s 40-yard area objective with 5:30 to play within the third quarter.
Harris delivered a 60-yard completion to Nyziah Hunter on the Bears’ subsequent possession, establishing a 53-yard area objective by Coe, reducing the margin to 21-6 on the primary play of the fourth quarter.
Cal’s protection, which appeared a step behind early, discovered its footing and held its personal within the second and third quarters towards an SMU offense that was averaging 39.3 factors — fourth finest within the nation.
After permitting 202 yards and 9 first downs within the first quarter, the Bears gave up simply 66 yards and 4 first downs within the second and third durations.
However the Bears by no means actually bought themselves again within the recreation, because of an SMU protection that had 5 sacks amongst 15 tackles for loss totaling 54 yards.
The Mustangs made it a three-score recreation once more when Collin Rogers drilled a 48-yard area objective for a 24-6 lead with 9:25 left.
Then, on the Bears’ subsequent play, Harris was intercepted by defensive again Jonathan McGill, a graduate switch from Stanford. That arrange Kevin Jennings’ 23-yard TD move to operating again Rashard Smith that put the competition out of attain at 31-6 with 8:28 to play.
Harris wound up 6 for 11 for 75 yards in his reduction look for the Bears.
Undefeated in 9 video games since being named the starter, Jennings was 20 for 30 for 225 yards with two touchdowns. Preston Stone, who started the season because the Mustangs’ starter, threw a 40-yard TD to Key’Shawn Smith for a 38-6 lead with 3:38 to play.
