California coach Justin Wilcox spent the week off for the Golden Bears trying to fix a defense that has been one of the worst in the Pac-12. The Bears (3-4, 1-3 Pac-12) will get an immediate test on how well that went when they host reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and No. 24 Southern California (6-2, 4-1) on Saturday. “He’s a special talent and I know our guys are excited to get to play him again,” Wilcox said.
Though the Bears fell 34-14 to the Utes, quarterback Fernando Mendoza showed signs of success. However, it was not a perfect day for Mendoza on the gridiron.
Memorial Stadium hosted a homecoming matchup Saturday night between Cal and Oregon State. In the end, the Bears could not stop DJ Uiagalelei and the Beavers on a night full of offensive fireworks.
Cal will play No. 15 Oregon State for what could be the final time this weekend as it hopes to notch a win against one of the premier schools in the conference. It’s the first in a stretch of challenging opponents for the Bears this season.