Cal stays unbeaten behind Goff and improved defense
Touchdown passes and big plays from Jared Goff are what’s expected for California. It took another opportunistic day from the defense to keep the 24th-ranked Golden Bears undefeated.
Cal forced four turnovers, had seven sacks and made two big special teams plays to back a four-touchdown performance from Goff and secure a 34-28 victory over Washington State on Saturday in the Bears’ first game as a ranked team in six years.
After having one of the worst defenses in the nation the past two years, Cal (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) has caused 18 turnovers and recorded 18 sacks to get off to its best start since 2007.
“We’re just trying to write our own script,” safety Stefan McClure said. “Last year’s defense is last year’s defense. They’re not going to make or not make a play for us this year. We’re just all out there trying to earn everyone’s respect. We just have a chip on our shoulder.”
McClure returned a fumbled fake punt for a touchdown and had a momentum-changing sack in the third quarter. Darius White forced a fumble and Damariay Drew had a late interception that thwarted possible scoring threats and sealed the win for Cal.
After winning six games in Coach Sonny Dykes’ first two seasons, the Bears head into a showdown at No. 10 Utah next week with hopes of contending for a conference title thanks to the improved defense.
Goff overcame a shaky start that included an interception on the third play to throw for 390 yards. He had two touchdown passes in the span of less than two minutes late in the third quarter surrounding a successful onside kick to erase an eightpoint deficit.
Luke Falk threw for 389 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score for the Cougars, who have lost 28 of their last 29 games against ranked opponents.
“I think we improved,” Falk said. “There were times where we could have taken control of this game, just a play here and there.”
at No. 18 Stanford 55, Arizona 17: Quarterback Kevin Hogan was on target as the Cardinal took a 27-3 halftime lead and cruised to its fourth victory in a row.
Hogan completed 17 of 19 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns for Stanford, which has rebounded from an opening loss to Northwestern.
Christian McCaffrey complemented Hogan by rushing for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Barry Sanders had a 65-yard run for Stanford, which had more than 300 yards on the ground.
Oregon at Colorado, late