California rugby returns home after four consecutive road games this weekend, hosting BYU Saturday at 1 p.m. PT. The game will be live streamed on ESPN+, and tickets can be purchased here.
 
Last weekend, the Bears put together a successful road trip defeating Arizona 57-51, and Grand Canyon 76-14, improving to 9-0 in the XV's season. Against the Wildcats, the Bears were heavily penalized and struggled with a sloppy performance. Cal had a better performance against the Antelopes. With key players Brice Muller, Oliver Teague, Solomon Williams, Filip Edstrom and Emmett Cook given the day off, the team stepped up.
 
Cal last played BYU last season on March 8, a 48-17 victory. Returner Emmett Cook led the Bears with a hat trick. Holding onto a 19-17 lead at the half, the Bears broke away in the second half, shutting out the Cougars en route to victory. The Bears are 15-5 all time against the Cougars and have split the last two contests. The Cougars last made the trip to Strawberry Canyon on February 10, 2024, a game which BYU won 53-26. in 2023 the Cougars visited Cal twice, the first time in a March regular season victory and the second visit during the April postseason where the Bears claimed a 55-31 national semifinal victory to advance to the 2023 national championship match.
 
BYU is also undefeated in XV's action this season, putting together an 8-0 record. The Cougars posted blowout victories over Utah Valley (115-0), Weber State (76-0), Colorado State (69-5), Utah State (57-21), and Utah (74-14). They narrowly defeated Cal Poly (21-12), GCU (29-26), and most recently defeated UCLA last weekend 47-24.
 
The Bears' lineup will likely continue to lean on standout senior Cade Crist and sophomore Oliver Kirk in the front row. After a dominating performance against GCU, Byron Finley is expected to feature in the second row. The talented halfback pairing of Rand Santos and Solomon Williams should remain, with last season's national championship game MVP Filip Edstrom joining them from the centers. The Bears could select from a talented group of wings in the back three, to pair with reliable fullback Oliver Newall, who is expected to get the nod again.
 
STAY POSTED 
For complete coverage of Cal rugby, please follow the Bears on X/Twitter (@CalVarsityRugby), Instagram (@CalVarsityRugby) and Facebook (/CalVarsityRugby).