Mendoza Leads California to Victory Over Oregon State
Berkeley, California – Quarterback Fernando Mendoza delivered an impressive performance, throwing for two touchdowns and achieving a career-high of 364 passing yards as California decisively won against Oregon State with a score of 44-7 on Saturday. This victory marked the end of a four-game losing streak for the Golden Bears.
California (4-4) showcased a dominant first half, going into halftime with a commanding 31-0 lead. The game also marked the return of star running back Jaydn Ott, who had missed the previous two matches due to an ankle injury. In a much-needed turnaround, the Bears played with confidence, having previously lost their last four games by a mere total of nine points.
The scoring began on California’s opening drive when Mendoza surprisingly took advantage of a lateral pass from Jaivian Thomas, who was being tackled. Mendoza ran for a 9-yard touchdown while being officially credited with a touchdown pass. After a quick defensive stand from Oregon State, Mendoza wasted no time, leading the Bears back downfield and connecting with Nyziah Hunter for a 20-yard touchdown on just three plays.
In the second quarter, Thomas added to the Bears’ tally with a 2-yard rushing touchdown and a successful 2-point conversion, pushing the lead to four scores. Kicker Derek Morris, who missed a game-winning attempt the previous week, redeemed himself by successfully converting all five of his field goal tries, tying a school record.
Mendoza narrowly missed a 300-yard passing halftime mark, ultimately finishing the game with a stellar passer rating of 178.3. The Bears’ 31-point lead at halftime was their largest since 2015, showcasing their offensive prowess. Although Ott struggled to find his rhythm with 10 carries for only 11 yards, he did have a thrilling 22-yard touchdown run called back in the third quarter due to a review that determined he was down by contact.
Oregon State (4-4) faced challenges on the offensive end, switching between three quarterbacks after starter Gevani McCoy’s ineffective performance. The Beavers have now lost three straight games after starting the season strong at 4-1. McCoy’s replacement, Ben Gulbranson, managed to complete 11 of 20 passes for 131 yards and added a touchdown but could not uplift the team’s performance. In the first half, the Beavers managed a mere 82 yards of offense and only four first downs.
The matchup between these two former Pac-12 rivals was their first non-conference game since 1960, following California’s transition to the ACC.
In terms of key takeaways from the game, Oregon State has struggled significantly after narrowly losing their last two games. McCoy’s early benching for Gulbranson suggests a potential shift in strategy for the Beavers moving forward, while third-string quarterback Gabarri Johnson also got some playing time.
California demonstrated that their capabilities far exceed their previous record, showcasing a complete and dominant performance after suffering through four recent heart-wrenching defeats.
Looking ahead, Oregon State will have a week off before they welcome San Jose State on November 9. Meanwhile, California will also take a break before traveling to Wake Forest on November 8.