Cal's season opens with some thrills, but ultimately a loss to UCLA

The Tosh Lupoi Era for the Cal football team kicked off in Berkeley on Saturday night with a packed Memorial Stadium and a series of thrilling moments. However, despite the excitement, the Bears ultimately fell short, as UCLA emerged victorious with a final score of 45-24. The game's conclusion saw many Cal fans leaving their seats before the final whistle.

A notable moment came near the end of the first half when sophomore Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele completed three consecutive passes, driving Cal 87 yards downfield in just 38 seconds. This effort trimmed the Bears' deficit to 21-17, and for a brief moment, it appeared as though the team's hyped season might be coming to fruition. However, their Cinderella run ultimately came to an end.

Cal's defensive struggles were evident throughout the game, particularly in the trenches. UCLA's running backs Wayne Knight and Jaivian Thomas broke free from Cal's tackles and made significant gains. Additionally, Sagapolutele's performance was hindered by a mishandled snap on a crucial fourth-down play and two interceptions, one of which was directly to UCLA's defense.

The Bruins' offensive prowess was on full display, as they amassed 277 total yards on the ground and secured six rushing touchdowns. Their ability to outmuscle Cal's defense and capitalize on key mistakes proved to be the deciding factor in the outcome of the game. It appeared as though the Bears' defense would need significant improvement if they were to overcome such obstacles in future matchups.