Cal can’t rest after stunning Washington
The Cal Golden Bears have managed signature wins in each of coach Justin Wilcox’s first two seasons.
Cal flummoxed No. 15 Washington’s offense in a 12-10 upset win on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley. This came a year after the Golden Bears stunned No. 8 Washington State (also in Berkeley).
Cal (5-3, 2-3 Pac-12) allowed less than 250 yards of total offense and grabbed two interceptions against Washington senior quarterback Jake Browning and his backup Jake Haener.
While the Golden Bears suddenly have a much better shot at a bowl game — needing just one win in four tries to be eligible — it does not get easier.
No. 10 Washington State entertains Cal on Saturday in Pullman, Wash.
“I thought you saw a lot of toughness out there, just grit and determination,” Wilcox said. “We weren’t perfect, but we found a way to win the game. …
“I loved it. Obviously, you want to go out and score every time, but we knew against Washington’s defense, it was going to be tough. There were going to be times when 2 or 3 yards were good.”
Browning completed just 11 of 21 passes — a rough moment in a down senior year for a player who was considered a future Heisman Trophy candidate as an underclassman.
Now, the Golden Bears have to deal with red-hot Washington State — fresh off wins over ranked teams in Oregon and Stanford — and quarterback Gardner Minshew in coach Mike Leach’s offense.
The Golden Bears’ defense — which was anemic just two years ago under former coach Sonny Dykes — was superb against the Huskies. Cal earned its first win without an offensive touchdown since 1998, holding Washington to 159 passing yards and committing no turnovers on the other end.
Junior linebacker Evan Weaver, who has emerged as perhaps the team’s marquee NFL prospect (along with cornerback Camryn Bynum), nabbed a pick-six interception to clinch the win.
“If you know the type of guy Weaver is, you know when he has a chance to score, he’s going to do everything he can,” said Golden Bears senior tailback Patrick Laird, who had 22 carries for 83 yards. “… That was exactly what our team needed.”
Laird had six critical carries and a first-down reception from redshirt freshman quarterback Chase Garbers to seal the upset. Garbers’ running quarterback counterpart, Brandon McIlwain, did not see much time — completing one pass attempt (for negative yardage) and taking four carries for six yards.
