California Golden Bears Edge Out Stanford Cardinal in Nail-Biter

In a closely contested match that had fans on the edge of their seats, the California Golden Bears emerged victorious over the Stanford Cardinal with a final score of 24-21. This victory improved the Golden Bears' season record to 6-5, while the Cardinal fell to 3-8. The game, held at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, drew an attendance of 52,428 spectators.

Game Highlights

The match was a rollercoaster from start to finish. The Stanford Cardinal took an early lead in the first quarter with 14 points but failed to score in the second quarter. The Golden Bears began their comeback with 7 points before halftime and added another 3 points in the third quarter. However, it was during the fourth quarter that they truly shone by adding two touchdowns to seal their victory.

Fernando Mendoza's performance as quarterback for California was pivotal; he threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns with a completion rate of nearly 69 percent and an average of over eight yards per attempt. His longest touchdown pass was a remarkable 30-yard throw that contributed significantly to his team's success.

On defense, David Reese stood out by contributing one and a half sacks and forcing one fumble which showcased his ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks effectively. Nohl Williams also made significant contributions on defense by forcing one fumble and recovering another despite losing it later.

Special Teams Play

Special teams also played a crucial role in this tight contest. Ryan Coe successfully kicked a field goal from 46 yards out for California but missed another attempt; however, his successful kick proved crucial in securing their narrow win.

Punter Lachlan Wilson had an impressive day as well, punting three times for an average of nearly thirty yards per punt which included one long punt of fifty-five yards helping keep Stanford at bay when it mattered most.

Looking Ahead

The California Golden Bears are now set to face off against SMU Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas on November 30th at 3:30 PM EDT. Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN2 as both teams vie for supremacy on what promises to be another exciting college football showdown.

As we look forward towards this upcoming game let's reflect on this hard-fought victory and appreciate every player's contribution towards making it happen. Share your thoughts about today’s game or predictions for next week’s matchup!