Cal-Pitt Game Thread: Bears Still Winless in ACC After 17-15 Loss

Ryan Coe cannot convert potential game-winning 40-yard field goal with 1:50 to play

Fernando Mendoza / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Cal remains winless in three Atlantic Coast Conference games after a 17-15 loss to No. 22 Pitt at Acrisure Stadium.

Ryan Coe could have won it for the Bears (3-3, 0-3) but the senior transfer, who grew up near Pittsburgh at McDonald, PA, missed a 40-yard field goal with 1:50 play.

Fernando Mendoza was 27 for 37 for 272 yards and a touchdown and Cal played turnover-free football. But Mendoza was sacked six times, including five in the second half.

The Bears have lost their three ACC games by a combined total of eight points

Pete Thamel reported before the game that Ott, who aggravated a season-long ankle injury last week against Miami, made the trip to Pittsburgh but did not dress. Jaivian Thomas started in his place.

Sources: Star Cal RB Jaydn Ott will not play at No. 22 Pitt today. He re-aggravated a lower-body injury against Miami that he’s been dealing with the entire season. Going into the Miami game he was considered 100-percent for the first time this year. He traveled but didn’t dress. pic.twitter.com/P5PyNu7bdM

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 12, 2024

Cal is facing one of the nation's hottest quarterbacks and at least one college football writer is convinced Pitt redshirt freshman Eli Holstein will feast on the Bears’ defense.

"The former Alabama five-star recruit ranks eighth in passing yards per game (313.4) and the No. 22 Panthers face the same Cal pass defense that just surrendered over 400 yards through the air to (Miami’s Cam) Ward,” Manny Navarro of The Athletic wrote. Holstein “has thrown for 300-plus yards in four of the Panthers’ five games. He goes for 400-plus Saturday with four scores and leads Pitt to its first 6-0 mark since 1982.”

Certainly Holstein and the Panthers (5-0,1-0 ACC) will present a challenge for the Bears (3-2, 0-2), who are coming off a painful 39-38 defeat to Miami. Cal defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon talks in the video above about what has made Holstein so effective.

The Bears counter with a defense that got lit up in the fourth quarter against Miami but entered the week leading the nation with 11 interceptions.

Kickoff is at 12:30 p.m. PT at Pittsburgh on ESPN and we’ll follow the action throughout. Check back for updates and statistical breakdowns.

PERSONNEL UPDATE: According to Cal's pre-game radio show, tight end Corey Dyches will not play for the Bears today. Dyches has caugh 11 passes, tied for second-best on the team, for 139 yards with one touchdown.

Outside linebacker Ryan McCulloch is also out.

COIN TOSS: Pitt won the toss and elected to recieve the opening kickoff.

8:56 1st Q: Jaivian Thomas scores on a 21-yard dash around left end, capping a 10-play, 75-yard drive. Fernando Mendoza made two big third-down conversion passes -- hitting Jonathan Brady for 23 and 10 yards. The latter got the Bears to the 21. Cal tried a trick play for two points and punter Lachlan Wilson (the holder on PATs) threw incomplete to David Bird, the long snapper. Cal 6, Pitt 0.

5:07 1st: Des Reid scores on a 5-yard burst up the middle, capping an 11-play, 75-yard drive. The drive's big play was a 19-yard completion from Eli Holstein to Reid on a fourth-and-5 play, giving the Panthers a first down at the Cal 32. Pitt 7, Cal 6

END OF 1ST Q: Cal leads 116 yards to 73; passing hards 73-48 and rush yards 47-25. Cal has 6 first downs to 4 for Pitt and has converted 3 of 4 third downs to 0 for 3 for the Panthers. The one area where the Bears have faltered: 5 penalties for 45 yards, Pitt zero penalties. Pitt 7, Cal 6.

14:58 2nd Q: Faced with fourth down and a half yard, Pitt goes for it. Holstein hands the ball to Des Reid and he dashes 72 yards for a touchdown. A devastating turn of events for the Bears. Pitt 14, Cal 6.

10:04 2nd Q: Ben Sauls converts a 58-yard field goal - he's now 10 for 10 on FGs this season. That caps a six-play, 54-yard drive that included two pass interference penalties against Cal veteran cornerback Lu-Magia Hearns. The Bears have been flagged seven times for 75 yards. Pitt 17, Cal 6.

4:07 2nd Q: Cal answers with a nine-play, 54-yard scoring drive and a 39-yard FG by Ryan Coe. A pass interference penalt and a personal foul against the Panthers helped the Bears. Mendoza is 13 for 16 for 112 yards. Pitt 17, Cal 9.

HALFTIME: Pitt 17, Cal 9. The Bears messed up a late-half opportunity after getting a first down at the Pitt 29 with less than 2 minutes left. Mendoza was sacked on third-and-12 from the 31 and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against center Will McDonald pushed them out of field goal range. So the Bears simply let the clock run out.

The halftime stats suggest a different score: Cal has outgained Ptt 206 yard to 178. The Bears have 162 passing yards on 19 for 22 accuracy by Mendoza. Cal's defense has limited explosive Pitt QB Eli Holstein to 55 passing yards and 6 for 13. But Pitt has 123 rushing yards - thanks in part to Des Reid's 72-yard TD run. Cal has just 44 yards on the ground, including minus-3 in the second quarter.

Cal was on the short end of total plays last week vs. Miami, but has a 41-26 edge so far today. The Bears have converted 5 of 9 third-down tries and held Pitt to 0 for 5. But the Panthers are 2 for 2 on fourth down, including Reid's long TD run.

No turnovers for either team but Cal has been penalized eight times for 90 yards. Pitt just three times for 35.

Cal will receive the third-quarter kickoff.

7:33 3rd Q: Nohl Williams intercepts Holstein in the end zone on a first-and-10 play from the Cal 31 following a punt by the Bears. Was Williams' nation-leading six pick of the season and came at a huge moment for the Bears. Pitt 17, Cal 9.

END OF 3rd Q: Pitt 17, Cal 9. A scoreless third quarter that was dominated by the two defenses. Cal got a pair of picks against Holstein, by Williams and Cam Sydney. But Cal had minus-3 yards in the quarter, in large part due to four more sacks of Mendoza, who is getting very little time to throw the ball.

10:30 4th Q: The Cal offense awakens to reach the end zone on Mendoza's 19-yard TD pass to TE Jack Endries. It was a beautiful play, with Mendoza faking screen passes to both the left and right while Endries delayed his release then broke free down the middle to make the catch and barrel into end zone. Needing a two-point conversion, Cal tried something tricking again and it didn't work. Both Mendoza and backup QB Chandler Rogers were on the field - Mendoza took the snap and lateraled to Rogers, who had nowhere to run and no place the throw. So Cal still trails by two.

Mendoza completed three passes to Endries on the drive, for 20 27 and 19 yards. Mendoza is 24 for 31 for 241 yards. Endries has 7 receptions for a 106 yards. Pitt 17, Cal 15.

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