Cal-Syracuse Game Thread: Bears Pursue Bowl Eligibility

The Bears have put together back-to-back games of 40-plus points for the first time in eight seasons

Fernando Mendoza on the run. / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Cal (5-4, 1-4 ACC) is on the doorstep of bowl eligibility for the second year in a row.

The Bears face Syracuse (6-3, 3-3) this afternoon at Memorial Stadium in their first shot at securing a sixth win that would gave them an avenue to a bowl game.

*** Cal defensive end Xavier Carlton, third in the ACC with nine sacks, explains his growth as a senior in the video at the top of this story

Cal and Syracuse are squaring off for the first time since Oct. 26, 1968, the day boxer George Foreman won a gold medal in the heavyweight class at the Mexico City Olympics and the Beatles’ “Hey Jude” was No. 1 on the U.S. pop charts.

The 11th-ranked Bears walloped the No. 10 Orange 43-0 at Memorial Stadium that day, thanks in part to six interceptions. It was one of three shutouts recorded in 1968 by the “Bear Minimum” defense. 

The current Cal team, playing its first season in the ACC, is leading the conference in scoring defense at 19.3 points per game allowed. 

The offensive also has come alive, scoring more than 40 points in back-to-back games for the first time on eight seasons under coach Justin Wilcox.

Check back before kickoff for personnel updates and stay with us throughout the afternoon as we provide details on the action.

In the meantime, some pre-game reading: 

— Our thorough game preview, with everything you need to know before kickoff

— Senior Xavier Carlton and the Cal pass rush hoping to create havoc

-- Our bold and sometimes on-target ACC game predictons

-- A Syracuse beat writer answers our 5 Questions about the Orange

-- First-year Syracuse coach has a bizarre ritual after losses

-- Cal injury report: Will ILB Cade Uluave be available?