Cal Game Thread: Bears Overcome Slow Start to beat SDSU, 31-10

Golden Bears improve to 3-0 before trekking to Florida State for Atlantic Coast Conference debut

Cal coach Justin Wilcox / John Reed-Imagn Images

Cal improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2019 tonight with a 31-10 win over San Diego State (1-2) at Memorial Stadium.

This is the Bears' final non-conference game before their debut a week from Saturday in the Atlantic Coast Conference on the road vs. defending league champion Florida State. The Seminoles dropped to 0-3 after a 20-12 home defeat against Memphis.

The game matches a team that just left the Pac-12 (Cal) against a program (SDSU) preparing to join the Pac-12 in 2026.

Cal offensive coordinator Mike Bloesch provides an update on the Bears' injury-plagued offensive line in the video above. The Bears expect to play the third straight game without starting guard Sioape Vatikani and center Wll McDonald.

There are a couple of other key personnel issues entering today's game:

-- Will Cal running back Jaydn Ott, slowed the first two games by an ankle injury, see action or be held out altogether? 

Ott is warming up and seems to be moving well, so we're guessing he may play.

-- Is SDSU freshman quarterback Danny O'Neil (knee) healthy enough to play? 

UPDATE: Word from SDSU media relations is that O'Neil, who started the Aztecs' first two games, will not play. In his place, SDSU will go with either redshirt freshman Javance Tupou'ata-Johnson or sophomore AJ Duffy. Neither has thrown a pass this season. Duffy is a transfer from Florida State, where he played in four games over the past two seasons, completing 2 of 7 passes for 26 yards and a touchdown.

Cal and San Diego State have split eight previous meetings, the home team winning every game.

COIN TOSS: Cal wins the toss and elects to receiver. The Bears will defend the north goal line.

13:58 1st Q: Cal goes 3 and out on its first series. RB Jaydn Ott was not on the field. Cal 0, SDSU 0.

7:04 1st Q: After an official review, Cal safety Craig Woodson is flagged for targeting on an SDSU receiver and is ejected. Bears already playing without CB Marcus Harris for the first half after his targeting penalty last week at Auburn. Cal 0, SDSU 0

5:42 1st Q: Nick Lopez kicks 29-yard field goal, capping a 40-yard drive. SDSU 3, Cal 0.

2:25 1st Q: Cal answers with a seven-play, 69-yard drive that included four runs for 57 yards by Javian "The Jet" Thomas. He had a 37-yard gain on the drive. QB Fernando Mendoze uses a great fake handoff to Thomas and scores an 8-yard keeper around left end. Cal 7, SDSU 3.

END OF 1ST Q: The stat that stands out: 10 penalties in the quarter, five on each team. Cal has 81 yards of offense (54 rush, 27 pass) SDSU has 63 yards (41 rush, 22 pass). Cal 7, SDSU 3.

3:49 2nd Q: The Aztecs have created a number of promising situations for themselves, includng completing a 10-yard pass for a first down on a fake punt. None of it's matter because SDSU has 10 penalties and 75 yards already in the first half. The Aztecs entered the game with 24 infractions totalinf 224 yards. So for those keeping score, that's 34 penalties for 299 yards in less than 2.5 games. Cal 7, SDSU 3.

HALFTIME: Cal 7, San Diego State 3. Cal cornerback Nohl Williams had his FBS-leading fourth interception to half the Aztecs' final possession of the half.

Cal finished the half with 163 yards (95 passing, 68 rushing) and SDSU had 140 (8-60). Mendoza was 10 for 16 for 95 yards with no interceptions, no touchdowns. He did run for an 8-yard TD.

Redshirt freshman Javance Tupou'ata-Johnson, who played in place of injured Aztecs QB O'Neil, was 7 for 15 for 75 yards with 1 INT.

Thomas rushed 9 times for 74 yards for Cal and Cooper carried 12 times for 54 yards for SDSU.

The big first-half state: San Diego State was penalized 13 times for 100 yards. Just the third FBS team in the past 10 years with as many as 13 penalties in a half. Cal had six penalties for 48 yards, five of them in the first half.

9:36 3rd Q: The Bears go 85 yards in eight plays with Kadarius Calloway scoring on an 8-yard third-down burst up the middle. The drive's big play was a 57-yard dash by Thomas to the 7-yard line. He now has 143 rushing yards on 12 attempts. Cal 14, San Diego State 3.

9:36 3rd Q: After the touchdown but before the kickoff, Cal was penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct because fans threw objects on the field. In a game dominated by penalties, the fans get one. In fairness, the crowd was given a warning over the PA at least once earlier in the game. Cal now has eight penalties for 73 yards. Cal 14, SDSU 3.

1:30 3rd Q: The Bears extend their lead on a 20-yard TD pass from Mendoza to tight end Corey Dyches. Cal went 90 yards in 13 plays on a drive where the Bears racked up six first downs. Mendoza was 7 for 8 for 60 yards on the drive and now is 19 for 26 for 176 yards. Cal 21, SDSU 3.

END OF 3RD Q: Cal took control in the third quarter, outgaining SDSU 180 yards to 26 in the third quarter and scoring twice to stretch its lead. Cal 21, SDSU 3.

13:33 4th Q: Ryan Coe kicks a 48-yard field goal, his longest for Cal, three plays after 25-yard end-around by Josiah Martin for a touchdown is wiped out by -- yes! -- another penalty. The Bears now have 12 penalties for 113 yards, just trailing the Aztecs, who are at 15 for 120. Cal 24, SDSU 3.

11:05 4th Q: Tupou'ata-Johnson passed 40 yards to Jordan Napier, who did most of the work himself, as the Aztec finally scored their first touchdown. Cal 24, SDSU 10.

9:48 4th Q: The Bears answered quickly as Calloway dashed 60 yards to the 15 and Mendoza threw a touchdown to Nyziah Hunter. Cal 31, SDSU 10.

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Here is some pregame reading:

-- Our thorough Cal-SDSU game preview

-- Our ACC game picks for the weekend

-- A San Diego State beat writer answers our 5 Questions about the Aztecs

-- How do the bowl experts view Cal's postseason prospects?

-- If his number is called, RB Jaivian "The Jet" Thomas is ready to go

-- Cal defense braces for SDSU's 4,000-yard running back

-- Coach Justin Wilcox made it clear this week that Fernando Mendoza is QB1

-- Three former Golden Bears voted into the California High School Football Hall of Fame