Big win for Cal over Idaho State; SJSU stumbles at Oregon
BERKELEY >> Ashtyn Davis contributed a little of everything to Cal’s 45-23 win over Idaho State on Saturday as the Bears completed their nonconference schedule with a 3-0 record.
The junior safety, an AllAmerican hurdler for the Cal track team, intercepted a pass, chased down an Idaho State player to prevent a touchdown, then returned a kickoff 89 yards for a TD — all in the first half.
Coach Justin Wilcox liked all three plays, but said the one in which Davis hauled down receiver Mitch Gueller at the 8-yard line after a 63-yard play is one that will be replayed during film sessions next week.
“Absolutely, just the effort to chase him down and not give up on it, that will be one we show,” Wilcox said.
Davis wasn’t sure how to stack up his three plays. “I’m not sure. I always love getting the takeaway,” said
Davis, who got his second interception of the season, the Bears’ seventh. “That kick return, it opened right up and I just ran through it.”
Redshirt freshman Chase Garbers, who threw three touchdown passes, said Davis helped turn the game in
the Bears’ direction.
“Ashtyn Davis, whenever he’s on the field, he has the ability to do whatever he can to cause havoc for the offense,” Garbers said. “Hawking down that guy to prevent a touchdown was definitely a big momentum swing for us.”
After the Bengals settled for a field goal on that series, Davis returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown and Cal’s lead grew to 21-3 early in the second quarter.
Brandon McIlwain also threw a touchdown and the Bears’ defense delivered another strong performance to overpower the Football Championship Subdivision visitors from Pocatello, Idaho, in front of an announced crowd of 37,104.
The Bears, who have a bye next week, open Pac12 play Sept. 29 at home against Oregon, which will be substantially more challenging than the Bengals, who were picked to finish 12th in the 13-team Big Sky Conference.
The Cal defense continues to be the team’s constant. The Bears, who beat North Carolina and BYU to open the season, still have not allowed a first-half touchdown.
The Bengals (1-1) had just 26 total yards and no first downs in the first quarter and trailed 28-3 at halftime. Cal led 45-9 with 8 minutes to play.
• The Bears were sloppy. They failed to score on their first three possessions, had a pair of turnovers, fumbled a snap, dropped at least three passes and were penalized 11 times for 111 yards.
“We really need to crack down on whatever it is and figure it out right now,” linebacker Evan Weaver said. “Oregon’s a good team and they will come in here ready to play and if we don’t do that, we’re going to get run out of the building. That’s the honest truth.”
• The two-quarterback system lives on. Garbers was efficient at 20 of 25 for 224 yards, and McIlwain was 4 of 7 for 45 yards and his first TD pass. They also combined for 71 rushing yards. No appearance by Chase Bowers, who started all 12 games a year ago. “Chase was pretty efficient … put the ball where it needed to be for the most part,” Wilcox said.
• Patrick Laird, who rushed for more than 1,100 yards last season, continues to struggle finding yards. He rushed 11 times for 22 yards and is averaging 2.9 yards per carry through three games.