BERKELEY — Cal’s first win of the season, a 42-30 victory over FCS opponent Sacramento State in front of 31,982 fans at Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon, showed more encouraging signs on offense and growing concerns on defense.
The Bears (1-2) posted their highest scoring total since a 49-7 win over Oregon State in 2018. But Sac State (1-2), coached by former Cal quarterback Troy Taylor, riddled the Cal defense for 408 passing yards and drew four pass interference penalties.
Coach Justin Wilcox was far more expansive on all that in his postgame press conference than he was on the surgery he underwent Tuesday to repair an old injury that recently became aggravated.
“I’m fine,” he said after navigating the sidelines on crutches with a heavy wrap on his right foot. “Had an old injury. Had to get it fixed real quick. Missed half a day on Tuesday. It will not impact the team in any way moving forward.”
The Bears begin Pac-12 play next Saturday at Washington and Wilcox has greater concerns than whatever procedure he underwent that caused him to lose half a step.
Here are takeaways from the Bears’ victory:
Fast out the gates
The offense started fast again. The Bears got 4-yard touchdown runs from Damien Moore on their first two possessions and have now posted 34 first-quarter points in three games.
Chase Garbers completed his first 11 passes, was never sacked and wound up 22 for 34 for 288 yards with touchdowns of 45 yards to Jeremiah Hunter and 12 yards to Trevon Clark. Garbers also ran for 68 yards and a score.
“I think he can even take the next step to play even better. Really encouraged,” Wilcox said of his senior quarterback.
“Each and every week we’ve gotten better,” Garbers said after the Bears totaled 534 yards. “From this week to next we’re even going to take a bigger step as an offense and a team, and we’re really excited for it.”
Pass coverage concerning
There was far less excitement about the performance of the defensive secondary, which has been a strength the past three seasons. But three players from that unit have moved on to the NFL, and the Bears labored against two Hornets quarterbacks.
Jake Dunniway passed for 370 yards and two TDs and Asher O’Hara added 49 rushing yards and two scores. Sac State’s offense reached at least the Cal 25-yard line on eight occasions.
Asked about the team’s man-to-man coverage, Wilcox said, “It’s not good. We have to be able to play man-to-man in order to get off the field. We’re not making many plays there.”
Senior safety Daniel Scott, who had an interception in the end zone to thwart a Sac State drive and did not pick up an interference flag, said the players are aware they must perform better.
“Can’t keep making the same mistakes,” he said. “We’re learning but time is a-ticking.”
A special spark
Cal’s special teams were improved. Senior Nikko Remigio returned the second-half kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and the kicking team converted 6-for-6 on PATs a week after botching one.
Wilcox was pleased, but looks forward to the day when kicking the point after is automatic again.
Remigio, who had a kick return for a touchdown wiped out by a penalty last year against Oregon State, said this is the first one he’s had that counts since his Pop Warner days.
“I was 12 or 13,” he said. Asked why it’s taken so long, he laughed and said, “I ask myself the same thing.”
Taking care of business
— Cal stayed unbeaten in 13 tries against FCS opponents since 2005, but the competition level takes a jump with the start of Pac-12 play.
“You never minimize a win. It’s hard winning in college football, regardless of who you’re playing,” Wilcox said. “Sac State has got some good skill on offense, they’re as well-coached as anybody we’ll play.
“But we all know we need to be much, much better.”
NEXT WEEK: The Bears will try to beat Washington for the third straight time when they visit Husky Stadium for a 6:30 p.m kickoff next Saturday. The Huskies, who lost to Montana and Michigan State to open the season, crushed visiting Arkansas State 52-3 on Saturday.
