BERKELEY – Brent Austin forced a fumble while North Carolina was on the doorstep of a go-ahead touchdown and Jacob De Jesus caught the most passes by a Cal receiver in nine years as the California football team held on for a 21-18 victory over the Tar Heels on Friday night at California Memorial Stadium.

North Carolina appeared to be on the verge of going in front with 3:48 remaining after Nathan Leacock caught a short pass and took it toward the goal line. But Austin stripped the ball out of Leacock's hands at the 1-yard line and recovered it in the end zone for a touchback to preserve the lead.

"That's as good an individual play as we've had this season," Travers Family Head Football Coach Justin Wilcox said. "It was an unbelievable play."

The Bears took over on offense and were able to hold the ball until six seconds remained to secure the win.

De Jesus caught a career-high 13 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown – the most receptions in a game by a Golden Bear pass-catcher since Chad Hansen had 14 grabs at San Diego State on Sept. 10, 2016. It also tied for No. 6 on Cal's all-time list for single-game receptions.

"I feel like I'm getting a little more targets on offense," De Jesus said. "I'm just grateful for our coaches and staff for believing in me and trusting me, and putting me in places to make a play."

Running back Kendrick Raphael rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown.

The game got off to an auspicious start for the Bears (5-2, 2-1 ACC) after the Tar Heels' Shanard Clower caught a short pass but then fumbled on the game's first play from scrimmage. Cal's Cam Sidney forced and recovered the fumble, and Cal scored four plays later on a 3-yard rush by quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele.

The Bears never trailed in the game and took a 21-10 lead on Raphael's 2-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter.

Cal returns to the road next week for another ACC showdown at Virginia Tech on Friday. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PT on ESPN.