All-American candidate Jaydn Ott scored two touchdowns before suffering an ankle injury, California’s defense dominated the second half and the Golden Bears won their first game as an Atlantic Coast Conference school, outlasting visiting U.C. Davis 31–13 on Saturday afternoon in Berkeley, Calif.
Ott scored his second touchdown on a 6-yard run, quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw a 3-yard TD pass to Nyziah Hunter, and Marcus Harris, Cade Uluave and Nohl Williams recorded interceptions in the second half for Cal, during which the Golden Bears outscored U.C. Davis 17–0.
Ott suffered the injury to his right ankle in the third quarter after he had been held to 49 yards on 14 carries. He was able to limp to the sidelines and was later seen walking behind the Cal bench, but did not return to the game.
Mendoza finished 15-for-22 for 158 yards without an interception for the Golden Bears, who were outgained 304–281 despite holding the Aggies to just 70 total yards after halftime. Ott, Hunter and Mavin Anderson all caught four passes for the hosts.
Lan Larison was the game’s leading rusher with 17 carries for 62 yards for U.C. Davis, which brought a No. 18 FCS ranking into the season.
Quarterback Miles Hastings threw for 221 yards on 24-for-48 passing but was intercepted three times. CJ Hutton was the game’s leading receiver with seven receptions for 68 yards for the Aggies.
Seeking a first win in 12 all-time meetings, U.C. Davis dominated the first half everywhere but on the scoreboard, which showed Cal with a 14–13 lead.
The Aggies had a 234–109 advantage in yards gained in the half, but gave up a kick-return touchdown, failed twice on fourth down in Cal territory and missed a field goal and extra point.
Ott, who had just six carries for 11 yards in the opening half, and Larison each scored on a 1-yard run in the first 30 minutes.
The game’s other two touchdowns before the intermission came on a 4-yard scoop-and-score by the Aggies’ Porter Connors and an 80-yard kickoff return by the Golden Bears’ Williams.
