Cal QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele earns second ACC Rookie of the Week honor
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw three touchdown passes for the second time in three games Saturday. Monday, he was rewarded with his second ACC Rookie of the Week honor in that same span. The freshman passed for 279 yards on 24 completions in Cal’s 27-14 win over Minnesota.
That is a new high mark for Sagapolutele who now has passed for 772 yards on the season. He last won the award just two weeks ago following the Bears’ win over Oregon State to open the season.
In that contest, the left-hander passed for three touchdowns and 234 yards in his debut. Saturday night, Sagapolutele was poised in some crucial moments helping the Bears to take down the previously unbeaten Gophers.
Minnesota came to Berkeley with what was the top-rated defense through the first two games. Before Saturday’s game, the Gophers had allowed an average of less than 100 yards this season.
The Bears finished the game with 340 total yards led by its quarterback’s standout showing.
“It’s such a joy being able to learn an offense such as this — a true pro-style,” Sagapolutele said Saturday. “Coach Harsin has really fit the game plan to my best suits. It’s really just trusting what we see on the sideline after a drive. Something that we missed and building off that just continuing to get better and just trusting in my guys.”
Sagapolutele continues to improve as a freshman
Sagapolutele became the first Cal player to win the ACC Rookie of the Week award with his performance in the win over Oregon State. Saturday’s game continued to show that the moment is not too big for him even with some early hurdles.
The Bears leaned on their passing attack in the win. Cal had just 61 yards rushing yards against the Gophers with running backs accounting for just 17 carries. That put plenty of emphasis on the quarterback play.
“We were throwing it a bunch and were having a lot of success,” head coach Justin Wilcox said after the win. “That involves everybody. That involves the O-line blocking and the tight ends doing their thing. The receivers made a bunch of plays early in the game especially. Those guys were making plays for us.
“But, none of it happens without the quarterback. Jaron just continues to impress. His demeanor out there, his understanding of the offense and what we’re asking him to do. Listen, he’s going to have some plays in there that he can learn a lot from, and he’ll get better from this game. Every series, every snap he’s out there, he’s getting better.”
