BERKELEY, Calif. — Fernando Mendoza threw for an impressive 299 yards and completed three touchdown passes as California edged out Stanford with a score of 24-21 in their latest encounter. This matchup marked the first time both teams faced off as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Jonathan Brady emerged as a standout player, securing two touchdown receptions, including the critical go-ahead score for the Golden Bears.
In a nail-biting finish, Mendoza remained composed under pressure with just under three minutes remaining in the game. Facing a critical 3rd and 11 situation, he connected with Brady for a crucial 22-yard touchdown pass. Following a successful two-point conversion, Cal took a 24-21 lead. With this victory, California qualified for a bowl game, and this marks their fourth consecutive win against Stanford in this storied rivalry that dates back to 1892. This achievement means the Bears will participate in bowl games in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2018 and 2019.
The game was a thrilling comeback for California, as they had trailed 21-7 at one point in the second half. Brady’s first touchdown reception was a 30-yard catch early in the fourth quarter that narrowed the deficit to 21-16. After Stanford struggled to gain ground on their subsequent drive, Mendoza orchestrated a significant 11-play, 98-yard drive that culminated in a touchdown, giving the Bears their first lead of the game. Stanford’s final drive ended without a first down, sealing their loss.
On the other hand, Justin Lamson, who serves as Stanford’s backup quarterback and is often utilized in short-yardage situations, had a great start, scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter from two yards out. This gave the Cardinal an early 14-0 advantage. With this performance, Lamson recorded his seventh rushing touchdown of the season, setting a new record for Stanford quarterbacks.
Mendoza also contributed to the scoreline with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Trond Grizzell in the second quarter, cutting the Cardinal’s lead to 14-7. Stanford increased their lead to 21-7 in the third quarter when running back Micah Ford executed a pitch from Lamson and threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Emmett Mosley V on fourth-and-goal.
Starting quarterback for Stanford, Ashton Daniels, completed 14 of 26 passes for 139 yards and added 21 rushing attempts for 63 yards during the contest.
In terms of takeaways from the game, Stanford had a promising upset win against No. 19 Louisville the previous week, ending a six-game losing streak. However, they could not maintain a two-score lead against their rivals in this crucial matchup. For California, the Bears’ victory came despite their star running back Jaydn Ott’s ongoing struggles and their failure to force turnovers, a significant aspect given they entered the game ranked third nationally in turnover margin.
Looking ahead, Stanford will visit San Jose State on Friday to conclude their season, while California will take on No. 13 SMU this coming Saturday.