Despite the Drawbacks, Cal Finally Won a Close Game

Bottom line: Cal won a close game, something it has seldom done in recent years but something that is necessary for success.

The elements the Bears (3-2) used to achieve its 24-21 victory over Arizona State were fraught with shortcomings:

---They had to hang on for dear life to win a home game against an Arizona State team that entered the contest 0-3 against FBS opponents, that ranked 124th of 130 FBS teams in scoring (16.8 points per game), and that ranked dead last in the nation in turnover margin, at -10.

---Cal was outgained by more than 100 yards by Arizona State, who amassed 430 yards to Cal's 326. That kind of disparity typically leads to a decisive loss.

---Cal quarterback play is still subpar. Sam Jackson V was just 12-for-29 for 130 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.  Those aren't the kind of numbers expected from the Air Raid offense put together by offensive coordinator Jake Spavital.  Justin Wilcox said Cal wanted to give redshirt freshman Fernando Mendoza some playing time on Saturday, but the proper situation never arose. 

"I didn't play too well," Jackson said, "but obviously we got the win."

Cal's quarterback situation remains unsettled, although it's presumed Jackson will be the starter next week against Oregon State.  The win over Arizona State was the first time this season that one Cal quarterback played the entire game.

---Cal running back Jaydn Ott rushed for 165 yards, but he was stopped short of the goal-line on a fourth-down play from the 1-foot line with 2:50 left when a touchdown would have given the Bears a 10-point lead and would have clinched the win. Missing that kind of opportunity to finish off an opponent often leads to disastrous results.

"I'm just upset," Ott said of Cal's performance. "That wasn't good enough."

---Cal was outgained by more than 100 yards by Arizona State, who amassed 430 yards to Cal's 326. That kind of disparity typically leads to a decisive loss.

--The Cal defense did a nice job of containing Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo, who was limited to 59 yards on 24 carries, an average of 2.5 yards per attempt. But the Bears gave up two pass plays of more than 50 yards to let Arizona State stay in the game.

---The Bears led 24-13 in the fourth quarter, but could not finish off the Sun Devils, who ultimately lost the game when quarterback Trenton Bourguet threw an incompletion on a fourth-and-4 play from the ASU 39-yard line.

"We just don't need to make it so dang hard," Justin Wilcox said.