As unpleasant as this defeat was, it was about as California Golden Bears fans expected in a trip to play one of the best defenses in college football.
Without their starting running back, tight end, and top two wide receivers, Cal struggled to do anything with the football offensively. Cal had four first downs before the final garbage time drive. Cal averaged 1.8 yards per play and gave up another eight sacks.
This was as feckless an offensive performance as you’ve ever seen from the Bears. -40 rushing yards. The Cal defense prevented a shutout thanks to a fortuitous turnover, but man.