DALLAS — The California Golden Bears faced an unexpected challenge during their regular-season finale against the ninth-ranked Mustangs of SMU on Saturday when starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza was sidelined due to illness.

Chandler Rodgers, who stepped in as the starter, took over the quarterback position. This season, Mendoza, a sophomore, had impressive stats, accumulating 3,004 passing yards alongside 16 touchdown throws.

Just a week prior to this game, Mendoza achieved a significant milestone by becoming the seventh player in the school’s history to surpass the 3,000-yard mark in a single season. He showcased his skills by passing for 299 yards and hitting three touchdowns in a crucial 24-21 victory against Stanford, which enabled the Golden Bears to qualify for a bowl game. During that tense match, Mendoza orchestrated a remarkable 98-yard drive in the fourth quarter, completing 6 of 7 passes for 86 yards and connecting with Jonathan Brady for a 22-yard touchdown with just 2:40 remaining on the clock.

The absence of Mendoza added drama to an already tense season finale, as fans and teammates rallied behind Rodgers, hoping he could lead the team to victory against a challenging opponent. The implications of this game were significant for the Bears, as they aimed to solidify their postseason aspirations. Every play counted, and with the stakes high, the focus shifted to how Rodgers would perform in this critical matchup.