Cal gets back to .500 with dramatic win against Virginia Tech: Winners and losers

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

A shorthanded Cal football team found a way at home Saturday, defeating Virginia Tech 25-20 on a late fourth quarter touchdown that gives the Golden Bears momentum after back-to-back losses.

Cal was without many of its starters due to injury. The Golden Bears were missing quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, defensive back Kingston Lopa and running backs Adam Mohammed and Carter Vargas. But they still managed a win.

Backup quarterback Jackson Brousseau stepped in place of Sagapolutele with poise and led Cal in a final drive that ended with a 2-yard score by sophomore running back Ashten Emory, who had 19 carries for 46 yards and two touchdowns on the day. Brousseau threw for 321 yards and a touchdown. He completed 29 of 43 passes.

"Just a perfect extension of us, our culture, his preparation, and the belief in him, right? And our offense to get it rolling," head coach Tosh Lupoi said in a postgame interview when asked about Brousseau. "Just proud of these guys, man. Really preparing all week, and that's a really good team that they just beat. There is a lot of NFL players on that team, and our staff, our team, just sticking together, and doing what it takes to go get a dub."

The Cal defense came up huge. The Golden Bears were already without Lopa, starting inside linebacker Kamar Mothudi and defensive lineman Nate Burrell. Linebacker AJ Tuitele was ejected with 14:11 in the fourth quarter for targeting.

When it mattered most, though, the Golden Bears defense got the biggest stop of the game with everything on the line. Virginia Tech junior quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer attempted to squeeze a pass to tight end Luke Reynolds and defensive back Cam Sidney delivered a game-sealing pass breakup in the back of the end zone.

"This capability is no question, right? The drama that these guys have gone through, as far as next man up opportunities, I couldn't be more proud of these guys executing to the standard when it matters most," Lupoi said. "We've been in five games.
Four of those games were tied, four winning, one game, we're down by one score, and it's time to finish. That's exactly what we did today."

Cal was coming off of losses to UNLV and Clemson, both winnable games. Then a big change happened. Lupoi relieved offensive coordinator Jordan Somerville of his play calling duties during the loss to UNLV. Offensive pass game coach Pat McCann would assume the duties … and it's been close to a complete turnaround for Cal's offense.

It seemed evident against the Rebels when the switch was made, and further proven against Virginia Tech. Cal had 403 yards and was efficiently getting first downs when needed. They were 50% on third down conversions (8-of-16) and converted their only attempt on fourth down.

The Golden Bears' offense looked more fluid. It was more up-tempo and wide open. McCann utilized the entirety of the field, drawing up plays down the middle, to the sideline, and downfield in a mix of short, mid and deep passes.

There's a newfound momentum rolling in Berkeley. The Golden Bears are feeling good about themselves as they get back some of their injured players.

There's a confidence that the Golden Bears can still be as good as predicted going into the season. Cal advances back to .500 at 3-3, but big things are still possible with a 2-1 record in ACC games. Other schools with 2-1 ACC records include Pittsburgh, SMU and Clemson, which beat Cal on Sept. 25.

"We're 2-1 in the ACC and we got an awesome opportunity," Lupoi said. "So we can enjoy this here. And as our health gets restored, you know, we had our two best productive players out on defense. Obviously, our quarterback, both running backs out, and so what? Now, what?"

WINNERS & LOSERS

Here are winners and losers from Cal vs. Virginia Tech:

Winner: Pat McCann

McCann took over play-calling duties mid-game last game, primarily in the second half after Cal trailed 24-7. The Golden Bears lost 39-31 but we saw glimpses of what the Cal offense could look like under his direction. Virginia Tech was the ultimate test and McCann passed. He was dealt a backup quarterback in Brousseau since Sagapolutele was hurt. It didn't matter. They took more chances; McCann's playbook looked like he wasn't afraid to try something different.

Still, credit Brousseau, he came in prepared and did not look like a backup. He reminded folks that he did start eight games last year for Colorado State.

Loser: Virginia Tech

The Hokies drop consecutive games after starting 4-0, with both losses coming down to the final seconds. Last week, they lost to a then-No. 25-ranked Pittsburgh (the Panthers lost this week to North Carolina, 21-17) after Virginia Tech kicker John Love missed (controversially) a 36-yard field goal as time expired. Virginia Tech dropped another close one, this time to a battered Cal football team that scored a touchdown with 18 seconds left to go ahead.

It has got to call for a refocus as the Hokies fall to 1-2 in the ACC.

Highlights: Cal vs Virginia Tech

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cal gets back to .500 with dramatic win against Virginia Tech: Winners and losers

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos