The California football team travels to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on Friday for a 5 p.m. PT kickoff against Wake Forest. The Golden Bears (4-4,0-4 ACC) and Demon Deacons (4-4, 2-2 ACC) will meet for the first time in history on the football field.
FRIDAY LINEUP
Venue: Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium (Winston-Salem, North Carolina)
Time: 5 p.m. PT
Television (ACCN): Jorge Sedano (play-by-play), Orlando Franklin (analyst), Morgan Uber (sideline)
Cal Bears Sports Network Powered By Northern California Toyota Dealers: 810 AM
Justin Allegri (play-by-play), Mike Pawlawski (analyst); SiriusXM Ch. 371 SXM App 371, The Varsity App
CAL...
– Is playing Wake Forest for the first time in history and traveling for its third road game in the Eastern time zone this season.
– Has outscored opponents 212-138 with its four wins by an average of 20.75 points per game and its four losses by an average of 2.25 points per contest.
– Is playing its first November game of the season after winning the final three games of the 2023 regular season during the month.
– Is among the nation's top 16 in six team statistical categories related to turnovers, including second in turnover margin (+1.63 per game), tied for third in interceptions (14), tied for fourth in fewest passes intercepted (3), tied for fifth in turnovers lost (5), tied for sixth in turnovers gained (18) and tied for 16th in fumbles lost (2).
– Has only five giveaways in 2024 after committing 28 in 2023 that were the fourth-most nationally.
– Has won the turnover battle this season in six games (UC Davis, at Auburn, San Diego State, at Pitt, NC State, Oregon State) and tied in the other two (at Florida State, Miami).
– Has at least one takeaway in 43 of its last 46 games and 10 straight.
– Has capitalized on its turnover success with a 47-13 points off turnovers advantage.
– Is ranked in the top 30 nationally in a total of 17 other team categories, including rushing defense (9th, 99.0 ypg), team passing efficiency defense (12th, 109.47), scoring defense (13th, 17.3 ppg), first downs defense (T16th, 140), punt return defense (18th, 3.64 ypr), kickoff returns (21st, 24.71), net punting (22nd, 41.89 avg), completion percentage (22nd, 67.2), sacks (T26th, 2.63 spg), red zone defense (T29th, 77.8%) and passing offense (30th, 266.0 ypg).
– Leads the ACC in first down defense, passes intercepted, scoring defense, team scoring efficiency defense and turnover margin, while tying for the conference lead in fewest passes intercepted.
– Has a defense that is allowing just over half of the points per game it allowed in 2023 by cutting the 32.8 ppg allowed a season ago to its current 17.3 ppg.
– Has held its last two opponents to a combined total of 89 yards rushing (29 vs. NC State, 60 vs. Oregon State)
– Has not allowed more than 144 yards rushing in a game this season
– Has outscored opponents 61-8 in the third quarter.
– Has scored a TD on its opening drive in each of its last three games (at Pitt, NC State, Oregon State).
– Is coming off team season highs of 44 points, 37-point margin of victory, 364 passing yards and 478 yards of total offense in its most recent game against Oregon State, while allowing a season-low 200 yards of total offense to the Beavers.
NATIONALLY NOTABLE
– DB
Nohl Williams leads the nation with six interceptions and is tied for second with one interception return touchdown and one kickoff return touchdown. Williams is also tied for 13th with 10 passes defended.
– DB
Cam Sidney is tied for fifth with two fumble recoveries.
– ILB
Teddye Buchanan is tied for ninth in tackles per game (9.6) and tied for 18th in total tackles (77).
– P
Lachlan Wilson is 11th in punting average (45.8 ypp).
– OLB
Xavier Carlton is tied 13th in sacks per game (0.88) and tied for 13th in total sacks (7.0).
– QB
Fernando Mendoza is 16th in completion percentage (68.5%), 20th in completions per game (22.25) and passing yards per game (261.9), and 29th in passing yards (2,095).
– ILB
Cade Uluave is 21st in tackles per game (9.1).
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