California Golden Bears Athletics
California
3-5 , 1-4
USC
7-2 , 5-1
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern California | 17 | 0 | 12 | 21 | 50 |
| California | 14 | 14 | 8 | 13 | 49 |
Bears Edged By No. 24 USC
10/28/2023 5:56 PM | Football
Trojans Hold On After Cal's Late Two-Point Conversion Attempt Fails
The Golden Bears (3-5, 1-4 Pac-12) led 43-29 early in the fourth quarter but the Trojans strung together three straight touchdowns to surge in front 50-43 with 3:33 to play. Cal answered with a 9-play, 79-yard drive of its own that culminated with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Fernando Mendoza to Jaivian Thomas. After a timeout, the Bears elected for a two-point try but Mendoza's pass fell incomplete, and USC was able to run out the clock.
"Late in the game we had some opportunities to make a play here or there to change the outcome and we just couldn't quite come up with it," Travers Family Head Football Coach Justin Wilcox said. "That's a very talented team we just competed with and (we) had a number of chances to win and we didn't do it."
Mendoza went 25-for-39 for 292 yards and two touchdowns while also notching his first two career rushing scores. Running back Jaydn Ott tied a career-high with three rushing touchdowns while amassing 153 yards on the ground.
After falling behind 17-7 late in the first quarter, Cal scored three unanswered touchdowns to establish a 28-17 advantage. Ott had TD runs of 43 and 61 yards and wide receiver Trond Grizzell caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Mendoza.
USC took a 29-28 lead midway through the third quarter before Mendoza had two short scoring runs to put the Bears up by two scores.
Wide receiver Jeremiah Hunter tied a career-high with eight catches while piling up 96 yards and Grizzell had career-best of six receptions for 91 yards. Tight end Jack Endries also had a career-high seven catches.
Defensive backs Craig Woodson (12) and Jeremiah Earby (8) each had a career-high in tackles.
The Bears will go back on the road next Saturday to take on No. 8 Oregon. The game will air on the Pac-12 Network at 2:30 p.m. PT.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
USC 3, Cal 0
USC - Lynch,Denis 23 yd field goal 14 plays, 69 yards, TOP 06:36
USC 10, Cal 0
USC - Lloyd,MarShawn 2 yd run (Lynch,Denis kick), 5 plays, 42 yards, TOP 02:37
USC 10, Cal 7
Cal - Ott,Jaydn 43 yd run (Bhaghani,Mateen kick), 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:28
USC 17, Cal 7
USC - Jones,Austin 6 yd pass from Williams,Caleb (Lynch,Denis kick) 6 plays, 80 yards, TOP 02:48
USC 17, Cal 14
Cal - Ott,Jaydn 61 yd run (Bhaghani,Mateen kick), 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:50
USC 17, Cal 21
Cal - Ott,Jaydn 4 yd run (Bhaghani,Mateen kick), 8 plays, 66 yards, TOP 02:26
USC 17, Cal 28
Cal - Grizzell,Trond 17 yd pass from Mendoza,Fernando (Bhaghani,Mateen kick) 3 plays, 50 yards, TOP 01:06
USC 23, Cal 28
USC - Williams,Caleb 6 yd run (), 4 plays, 45 yards, TOP 01:10
USC 29, Cal 28
USC - Rice,Brenden 22 yd pass from Williams,Caleb () 1 plays, 22 yards, TOP 00:08
USC 29, Cal 36
Cal - Mendoza,Fernando 2 yd run (Grizzell,Trond pass), 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:30
USC 29, Cal 43
Cal - Mendoza,Fernando 1 yd run (Bhaghani,Mateen kick), 5 plays, 54 yards, TOP 01:20
USC 36, Cal 43
USC - Williams,Caleb 1 yd run (Lynch,Denis kick), 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:50
USC 43, Cal 43
USC - Lloyd,MarShawn 9 yd run (Lynch,Denis kick), 3 plays, 18 yards, TOP 01:19
USC 50, Cal 43
USC - Jones,Austin 7 yd run (Lynch,Denis kick), 2 plays, 63 yards, TOP 00:52
USC 50, Cal 49
Cal - Thomas,Jaivian 13 yd pass from Mendoza,Fernando () 9 plays, 79 yards, TOP 02:30
