RECAP: Cal survives battle with Minnesota to move to 3-0
Cal went toe to toe with the top-rated defense Saturday night. The Bears did enough on offense to secure a 27-14 win over Minnesota to move to 3-0 on the season.
Cal struggled to run the ball throughout much of the game. However, Bryan Harsin‘s offense came up with just enough on the ground when it mattered most Saturday. Brandon High Jr. reeled off runs of 18 and 13 yards to set up the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter.
Prior to his two runs, the Bears has -13 yards on the ground. The end result was a 9-yard touchdown pass from Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele to tight end Mason Mini with 27 seconds to play in the third quarter.
It would be the drive that sealed Cal’s third victory of the season.
Sagapolutele finished the night with 279 yards passing and three touchdowns. His ability to work through the air helped keep the Bears afloat on offense until they took control late. He found Jordan King for a 2-yard touchdown with 6:55 to play to put the game out of reach for good.
While the offense will draw the headlines, it was Cal’s defense that again shined in Saturday’s victory. The Bears kept Minnesota (2-1) in check on offense for most of the night especially in the air.
Cornerback Hezekiah Masses came up with his third interception in as many games. It was part of a bigger performance for the Cal secondary that kept Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey from getting into a rhythm throughout the night.
Cal opened the scoring with a 3-yard touchdown from Sagpolutele to Jacob De Jesus with 2:54 to play in the first quarter. It gave the Bears enough momentum offensively to remain in control even when they went behind in the third quarter.
The Bears now will head to San Diego State to close out nonconference play next Saturday.
