California defeated Virginia Tech 25‑20 on Saturday in Berkeley, California, snapping a two‑game losing streak and improving to 3‑3 overall and 2‑1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In his first start for the Golden Bears, quarterback Jackson Brousseau completed 29 of 43 passes for 321 yards and a touchdown, while also throwing a 3‑yard touchdown to Carson Perry‑Smith with 4:06 remaining in the fourth quarter. Brousseau earned the start after Jaron‑Keawe Sagapolutele left the game with concussion symptoms. Virginia Tech’s quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer finished 21 of 31 for 288 yards and a touchdown, but the Hokies fell short after a 73‑yard drive that ended with a 1‑yard quarterback sneak for a touchdown with 1:15 left, giving Virginia Tech a 20‑19 lead. The final score was decided when Cal’s Ashten Emory scored on a 2‑yard touchdown run with 18 seconds left, following a 31‑yard reception by Ian Strong and a 15‑yard penalty on Virginia Tech that set up the drive. The game began scoreless in the first quarter. Virginia Tech took the early lead when Grunkemeyer hit Ayden Greene for a 30‑yard touchdown. Cal answered with an 85‑yard drive that included a 42‑yard completion to Chase Hendricks and a 5‑yard run by Emory to tie the game at 7‑7. Virginia Tech regained the lead with Marcellous Hawkins’ 3‑yard run, but Cal cut the deficit with a 35‑yard field goal by Towns McGough in the final seconds of the half and a 22‑yard field goal in the third quarter to bring the score to 14‑13. Cal’s offense was hampered by the absence of top rusher Adam Mohammed, who was sidelined for a second straight week, and defensive back Kingston Lopa, who entered the game as the FBS leader in interceptions with five. Despite these injuries, the Golden Bears secured the win, improving their record and ending a two‑game skid.
Article source: Jamaican Times | Image credit: Jamaican Times