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Cal's hiring of Ron Rivera as general manager in March signaled a potentially significant shift in how the program operated. Would a place that historically hasn't invested enough in football or set particularly high standards for on-field performance shift its approach under Rivera, a former Chicago Bears linebacker and NFL coach? The answer came Sunday with the firing of coach Justin Wilcox. Although Wilcox has guided Cal to a third consecutive bowl appearance, the program seemingly had plateaued at six wins under his leadership. An awful showing against archrival Stanford following an open week signaled to Rivera and the Cal brass that things wouldn't be getting better under Wilcox in Berkeley. He never had a winning record in conference play (Pac-12 or ACC) and eclipsed six wins just twice in nine seasons. Wilcox couldn't break the pattern, and Cal finally had enough.

Rivera now has control over Cal's future and will spearhead the search for Wilcox's successor. Cal has pledged to increase its overall investment in football and put together rosters that can compete in the wide-open ACC. Despite an uneven season, Cal has a rising star in freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who has said he wants to remain in Berkeley despite inevitable transfer interest. Hiring a coach who can keep JKS and other key players from the current roster will be important. Cal also has to sell itself as a serious football place. Stanford is stabilizing under GM Andrew Luck, and as the other West Coast member of the ACC, Cal must display similar commitment to attract coaches who can take the program further than Wilcox did. - ESPN College Football

(DS#6 QB) Fr/2029

QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California
News Source: ESPN College Football
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11/19/25 - Hezekiah Masses, Sr/2026, California, 6-0, 185 (DS#9 CB) + More +

WEEK 11 ACC DEFENSIVE BACK OF THE WEEK: Hezekiah Masses, Sr., CB, California (Deerfield Beach, Florida),...Tallied six tackles, a pass breakup and intercepted his fifth pass of the season to help lead Cal to the 29-26 overtime win over No. 15 Louisville...He is tied for the ACC lead with five interceptions on the season...The victory made Cal bowl-eligible for the third year in a row...It was the Bears' first victory over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 21 Oregon 21-17 on December 5, 2020, and their first win over a top-15 foe since a 20-19 triumph at No. 14 Washington on September 7, 2019. - ACC Football

(DS#9 CB) Sr/2026

CB Hezekiah Masses, California
News Source: ACC Football
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11/19/25 - Jacob De Jesus, rSr/2026, California, 5-07, 170 (DS#92 WR) + More +

WEEK 11 ACC RECEIVER OF THE WEEK: Jacob De Jesus, Sr., WR, California (Manteca, California),...Tied the Cal program record with 16 receptions for 158 yards and a touchdown in the Golden Bears' road win at No. 15 Louisville...Hauled in a 3-yard touchdown pass from Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele on fourth down during the first possession of overtime to give the Bears the upset win...The victory made Cal bowl-eligible for the third year in a row...It was the Bears' first victory over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 21 Oregon 21-17 on December 5, 2020, and their first win over a top-15 foe since a 20-19 triumph at No. 14 Washington on September 7, 2019. - ACC Football

(DS#92 WR) rSr/2026

WR Jacob De Jesus, California
News Source: ACC Football
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11/19/25 - Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Fr/2029, California, 6-3, 225 (DS#6 QB) + More +

WEEK 11 ACC QUARTERBACK & ROOKIE OF THE WEEK: Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Fr., QB, California (Ewa Beach, Hawaii),...Completed 30 of his 47 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns en route to leading Cal to its 29-26 upset victory over No. 15 Louisville...His completions, attempts and passing yards were all career highs...Threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jacob De Jesus on fourth down during the first possession of overtime as the Golden Bears defeated the Cardinals at L&N Stadium...The victory made Cal bowl-eligible for the third year in a row...It was the Bears' first victory over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 21 Oregon 21-17 on December 5, 2020, and their first win over a top-15 foe since a 20-19 triumph at No. 14 Washington on September 7, 2019...Earned his first ACC Quarterback of the Week honor and his third ACC Rookie of the Week accolade. - ACC Football

(DS#6 QB) Fr/2029

QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California
News Source: ACC Football
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11/19/25 - Cade Uluave, Jr/2027, California, 6-1, 235 (DS#13 ILB) + More +

WEEK 9 ACC LINEBACKER OF THE WEEK: Cade Uluave, Jr., LB, California (South Jordan, Utah),...Recorded a career-high 19 tackles in Cal's double-overtime contest at Virginia Tech...Became the first ACC student-athlete with 19 or more tackles in a game since Clemson's Baylon Spector in 2021...Added a career-high three tackles-for-loss and two sacks against the Hokies...His first tackle in the contest was the 200th of his career. - ACC Football

(DS#13 ILB) Jr/2027

ILB Cade Uluave, California
News Source: ACC Football
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11/08/25 - Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Fr/2029, California, 6-3, 225 (DS#6 QB) + More +

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jacob De Jesus in overtime and California beat No. 14 Louisville 29-26 on Saturday night for its first victory over a ranked team in its last 15 attempts. The Golden Bears (6-4, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) elected to go for the win on fourth down and succeeded as Sagapolutele rolled left and hit De Jesus just across the goal line to end a slugfest featuring four ties in regulation. Cal went on defense after winning the toss and held the Cardinals to Cooper Ranvier's 49-yard field goal. Sagapolutele completed 30 of 47 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns to help the Bears halt a two-game slide and become bowl eligible for the third consecutive season. They outgained Louisville 427-351, including 350-203 through the air, for their first win over a ranked opponent since beating Oregon on Dec. 5, 2020.

De Jesus, a UNLV transfer, had career highs of 16 receptions and 158 yards. Cal's defensive stand in OT was a continuation from regulation as it limited Louisville's high-octane attack through the air. Cornerback Hezekiah Masses recorded the game's only turnover with a third-quarter interception - his fifth this season - to set up Chase Meyer's 45-yard field goal for a 20-13 lead. "I mean a lot of guys (were) down," Cal coach Justin Wilcox said of an injury-riddled defense missing six starters from the beginning of the season. "I'm just proud of the guys that came in there and fought. The DBs made some key plays in the game. Those corners were getting competitive, making tackles, obviously they had the big pick. We were plus one in the turnover margin, which was big." Miller Moss was 20 of 38 for 203 yards and rushed for a touchdown for Louisville (7-2, 4-2, No. 15 CFP) which had won three straight since an overtime home loss to Virginia. Keyjaun Brown ran for 136 yards on 14 carries, and Duke Watson rushed for a score. Ranvier kicked two 49-yard field goals and made two others from 39 and 30 yards. The Cardinals missed a chance to gain an edge after entering the game as one of five one-loss ACC teams hoping to get to the conference championship. - Cal/AP College Football

(DS#6 QB) Fr/2029

QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California
News Source: Cal/AP College Football
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10/18/25 - Brent Austin, Sr/2026, California, 5-11, 180 (DS#91 CB) + More +

Brent Austin forced a fumble at the goal line and recovered it in the end zone to preserve the lead in the fourth quarter, giving California a 21-18 victory over Bill Belichick and North Carolina on Friday night. Belichick looked poised for his first win in four games against a power conference opponent since taking over the Tar Heels (2-4, 0-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) when North Carolina was driving for the go-ahead score. Gio Lopez hit Nathan Leacock on a short pass and Leacock was running toward the end zone when Austin knocked the ball out just before he crossed the goal line. Austin then dove on the loose ball in the end zone to give the Golden Bears (5-2, 2-1) the ball back with 3:48 to play. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele then completed two key passes for first downs on the ensuing drive and Cal burned all but fives seconds off to get the win. Sagapolutele also threw a TD pass and ran for another score for the Bears.

Belichick arrived at North Carolina with plenty of fanfare after winning six Super Bowls as a head coach in the NFL. But the results have been underwhelming as the Tar Heels have lost all four games against power conference opponents. After getting outscored by 87 points in the first three losses, the Tar Heels were far more competitive against Cal even if the end result was the same. The game started like the season has gone for North Carolina with Shanard Clower losing a fumble on the first play from scrimmage and Cal turning it into a touchdown when Sagapolutele scored four plays later. But the Tar Heels tied the game on Benjamin Hall's 18-yard run and trailing only 14-10 at the half for their closest first half in four games against power teams this season. Cal took the second-half kickoff and drive down for a touchdown to take a 21-10 lead on Kendrick Raphael's 2-yard run but couldn't pull away as North Carolina cut it to 21-18 on Davion Gause's TD run early in the fourth quarter. - California/AP College Football

(DS#91 CB) Sr/2026

CB Brent Austin, California
News Source: California/AP College Football
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09/27/25 - Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Fr/2029, California, 6-3, 225 (DS#6 QB) + More +

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele hit tight end Mason Mini on 51-yard TD with 1:30 to play and Luke Ferrelli picked off a pass in the end zone with 15 seconds left, sending California to a 28-24 victory over Boston College on Saturday. Sagapolutele completed 22-of-34 passes for 254 yards and a score for Cal (4-1, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference). Kendrick Raphael rushed for 113 yards and a TD. Dylan Lonergan, who entered the weekend leading the country in completions per game (30), was 21 of 37 with 197 yards but threw two interceptions for BC (1-3, 0-2 ACC). He did run for a 7-yard TD. Sagapolutele rolled around the left end and lofted a pass to Mini, who made a leaping grab behind a defender and raced in for the game-winner after Turbo Richard broke free for a go-ahead 71-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter that had pushed BC ahead.

Lonergan drove BC from its own 25 to the Golden Bears' 5 and appeared to have a go-ahead TD, but receiver Reed Harris dropped the ball when he hit the ground. On the next play, Ferrelli made the game-saving play. Richard carried for 171 yards on 15 attempts. On the first play from scrimmage after Cal took the lead, Richard burst through and outraced the secondary down the left sideline. Trailing by 3 after being stopped on a 4th-and-1 at BC's 3, Golden Bears corner Hezekiah Masses picked Lonergan off at the 24-yard line and returned it to the 2. Raphael scored on a run up-the-middle the next play, pushing Cal ahead 21-17. The Eagles went into halftime with a 17-14 edge after Luca Lombardo kicked a career-best 52-yard field goal. - Cal/AP College Football

(DS#6 QB) Fr/2029

QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California
News Source: Cal/AP College Football
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09/15/25 - Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Fr/2029, California, 6-3, 225 (DS#6 QB) + More +

WEEK 3 ACC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK: Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Fr., QB, California (Ewa Beach, Hawaii),...Threw for a career-high 279 yards and matched his career-best with three touchdown passes in a 27-14 victory over Minnesota...Completed 24-of-38 passes without an interception and finished with a 150.9 passer rating...Helped lead Cal to a 3-0 start for the second straight season...His 780 passing yards this season are the most among all freshmen...Marks his second ACC Rookie of the Week honor this season. - ACC Football

(DS#6 QB) Fr/2029

QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California
News Source: ACC Football
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09/14/25 - Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Fr/2029, California, 6-3, 225 (DS#6 QB) + More +

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw three touchdown passes and California beat Minnesota 27-14 on Saturday night for the Golden Bears' third straight win to open the season. "It was a big win for us," Sagapolutele said. "We knew coming into this that it was going to be a big game and a big test. Throughout the week we prepared right. Guys were fired up about this. We just came out swinging, way better than we did last week." Cal (3-0) got its stiffest test after easy wins to open the season and Sagapolutele delivered once again and showed unusual poise for a freshman quarterback. Sagapolutele finished 24 for 38 for 279 yards and the three short scoring passes to help the Bears earn the win against a power conference opponent.

The Golden Gophers (2-1) were in the game until special teams mishaps in the fourth quarter proved costly. Brady Denaburg missed a 51-yard field goal that could have tied the game with less than 10 minutes to play and Koi Perich muffed a punt at his own 8 the next Minnesota possession. Sagapolutele made Minnesota pay with a 2-yard TD pass to Jordan King that made it 24-14 with 6:55 to play. "None of it happens without the quarterback," coach Justin Wilcox said. "Jaron, he just continues to impress. His demeanor out there. Just his understanding of the offense and what we're asking him to do...You all see the accuracy and the way he can throw the ball. He threw some amazing passes again tonight. It's not all that surprising because we see it every day." Cal struck first when Sagapolutele threw a 3-yard TD pass to Jacob De Jesus in the first quarter and Minnesota answered with 43 seconds left in the half on Cam Davis' 1-yard run. But Sagapolutele managed to move the Bears 48 yards in the closing seconds to take a 10-7 halftime lead on Abram Murray's 45-yard field goal. - Cal/AP College Football

(DS#6 QB) Fr/2029

QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California
News Source: Cal/AP College Football
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09/06/25 - Kendrick Raphael, Jr/2027, California, 5-11, 200 (DS#14 RB) + More +

Kendrick Raphael ran for a career-high 131 yards and a touchdown, and California beat Texas Southern 35-3 on Saturday. A junior transfer from North Carolina State, Raphael repeatedly gouged the Tigers up the middle and averaged 7.3 yards per carry while topping 100 yards for the first time in his career. "That's what were looking for, that's what we're hoping for," California coach Justin Wilcox said. "I thought he took a step forward today. Had over 100 yards, made some good hard runs in there, had some great cuts. Really proud of him." Raphael's day was in stark contrast to his Cal debut when he came off the bench and ran for 37 yards on nine carries.

Against the Tigers, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound back repeatedly bulled his way through the heart of Texas Southern's defense. “I thought I was going to break one but just trusting the process and trusting my line,” Raphael said. "It felt great. Great way to start." Golden Bears true freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who threw three touchdowns in his college debut against Oregon State last week, passed for 259 yards with one interception, and scored on a 1-yard dive in the first half. L.J. Johnson Jr. had a 12-yard touchdown run while Abram Murray kicked a 44-yard field goal for the Bears (2-0). - California/AP College Football

(DS#14 RB) Jr/2027

RB Kendrick Raphael, California
News Source: California/AP College Football
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09/02/25 - Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Fr/2029, California, 6-3, 225 (DS#6 QB) + More +

WEEK 1 ACC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK: Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Fr., QB, California (Ewa Beach, Hawai'i),...Became only the second true freshman to start a season opener for the Golden Bears, joining Jared Goff in 2013...Also became the first true freshman quarterback to win a season-opener for Cal, knocking off Oregon State, 34-15...Completed 20-of-30 pass attempts for 234 yards and three touchdowns...Completed each of his first nine pass attempts against the Beavers...Added 30 rushing yards, including a 25-yard run. - Atlantic Coast Conference

(DS#6 QB) Fr/2029

QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California
News Source: Atlantic Coast Conference
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08/31/25 - Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Fr/2029, California, 6-3, 225 (DS#6 QB) + More +

Freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele debuted at quarterback for California and threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-15 victory over Oregon State on Saturday night. Sagapolutele, who originally enrolled at Oregon but transferred to Cal, completed 20 of 30 passes. The only other freshman to start in an opener for the Golden Bears was Jared Goff. Oregon State quarterback Maalik Murphy, a Duke transfer, threw for 244 yards with an interception. Trent Walker had nine catches for 136 yards. Mason Mini caught a 19-yard scoring pass from Sagapolutele on Cal's first possession. Sagapolutele found Trond Grizzell - who had a 35-yard reception on the opening drive - with a 32-yard touchdown pass. The teams used to be foes in the Pac-12, but Cal bolted for the ACC. The Beavers are playing as an independent this season before the revival of a new-look Pac-12 next season.

The new conference will launch with Washington State and Oregon State, the two teams that remained after league imploded in the summer of 2023. Joining them will be Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Texas State, Utah State and non-football member Gonzaga. Caleb Ojeda kicked a 53-yeard field goal to close the gap to 14-3 for the Beavers but Cal capped the first half with Abram Murray's 49-yard field goal. Sagapolutele opened the second half with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Landon Morris. Oregon State closed to within 24-9 on Anthony Hankerson's 2-yard run. After Hezekiah Masses intercepted Murphy in the fourth quarter, Brandon High Jr. ran for a 2-yard TD for Cal. Murphy scored on a 3-yard keeper but came up limping after the play. He returned on the Beavers' next drive. Chase Meyer kicked a 23-yard field goal for the Golden Bears to cap the scoring. - California/AP College Football

(DS#6 QB) Fr/2029

QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California
News Source: California/AP College Football
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09/10/24 - Nohl Williams, rSr/2025, California, 6-0, 199 (DS#10 CB) + More +

WEEK 2 ACC DEFENSIVE BACK OF THE WEEK: Nohl Williams, Cal, DB, Oxnard, California,...Williams picked off two passes that he returned for 14 yards in Cal's 21-14 road win over Auburn. The pair of interceptions gives Williams three on the season - tied for the most throughout FBS football. Williams' second pick of the day came with 2:15 left in the game while Auburn was looking for a potential game-tying drive. The Oxnard, California, native added two tackles in the victory. - ACC Football

(DS#10 CB) rSr/2025

CB Nohl Williams, California
News Source: ACC Football
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09/10/24 - Teddye Buchanan, rSr/2025, California, 6-2, 233 (DS#9 ILB) + More +

WEEK 2 ACC LINEBACKER OF THE WEEK: Teddye Buchanan, Cal, ILB, San Francisco, California,...Buchanan recorded a team-high 11 tackles - including three tackles-for-loss with two sacks - while also forcing a fumble in Cal's 21-14 road win at Auburn. Buchanan stripped running back Jarquez Hunter which led to a Golden Bear fumble recovery. The San Francisco, California, native also recorded two quarterback hurries in the win. - ACC Football

(DS#9 ILB) rSr/2025

ILB Teddye Buchanan, California
News Source: ACC Football
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