Bears Fall Just Short To Florida State, 14-9

Saturday, September 21

Tallahassee, FL

4 PM PT

California

3-1 , 0-1

Florida State

1-3 , 1-2

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
California	0	6	3	0	9
Florida St.	7	0	0	7	14

Corey Dyches hauls in a 28-yard pass from quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Photo by: Roderick Brower

9/21/2024 8:22 PM | Football

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Final Drive Stalls Deep In Seminoles Territory

By: Cal Athletics

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The California football team drove to the Florida State 12-yard line with under two minutes remaining but was ultimately turned back in a 14-9 loss to the Seminoles in its first Atlantic Coast Conference game ever at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday night.

The Golden Bears (3-1, 0-1) converted a long third down and sizable fourth down on their final possession, but the drive ultimately stalled at the FSU 23 with just under a minute to play.

"This stings, but this can make us a better team," Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza said. "We have the opportunity to respond. Every guy on the team has a great mindset, and we are all going to respond accordingly."

Cal extended its national lead to 10 interceptions when Miles Williams picked off Seminoles quarterback DJ Uiagalelei in the first quarter.

Linebacker Cade Uluave had 11 tackles to lead a defensive effort that limited Florida State to 284 yards of offense. The Bears recorded three sacks and seven tackles for loss.

Mendoza went 22-for-36 for a career-high 303 yards and added a 26-yard run on 3^rd-and-14 during the Bears' final possession. Jaydn Ott returned from a one-game absence due to injury and amassed 73 yards rushing on 16 carries. Mason Starling registered career-highs of five catches and 68 yards.

"We can't dwell on this," Uluave said. "We just have to put our head down and keep going."

Florida St. took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter but Cal chipped away on a pair of field goals by Ryan Coe to trim the advantage to 7-6 at the half. A third Coe field goal gave the Bears a 9-7 lead with 1:30 remaining in the third quarter.

But the Seminoles went back in front on a 3^rd-and-7 from the Cal 36 on a touchdown pass from Uiagalelei to Ja'Khi Douglas with 11:08 to play.

The Bears' final drive began at their 36-yard line with 4:38 to play. Along with his 26-yard scramble for a first down, Mendoza also converted a 4^th-and-13 on a pass to tight end Jack Endries to move the ball to the FSU 32 with 1:49 remaining.

"We have to identify the things that make the difference in the game," Travers Family Head Football Coach Justin Wilcox said. "When you play a team like Florida State with that much talent, you can't make mistakes and expect to win. We had plenty of opportunities and couldn't capitalize on it. They did, so they deserve credit for that."

Not only did Saturday mark the first-ever ACC game for the Bears, it was also the first time Cal and Florida State have ever met on the football field.

The Bears have a bye week next weekend then return to California Memorial Stadium to host No. 8 Miami on Oct. 5 for their first home ACC football game.

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