Bryant Wesco's punt return TD leads Clemson to a 24-10 win over Cal

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — In a game where both offenses faltered, Clemson's Bryant Wesco Jr. scored the first punt return touchdown in eight years to break a tie late in the third quarter. The Tigers powered to a 24-10 victory over California in their first matchup since the Golden Bears joined the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2024.

Clemson and California combined for a single offensive touchdown throughout the contest. Gideon Davidson secured the win with a 75-yard run, adding two more touchdowns during the game. Cal managed to tie the game on their opening drive of the second half with a field goal, but Clemson regained the lead after the bears punted on their next possession.

Agnus Davies executed a low 39-yard punt down the middle, which Wesco snatched on the run. Evasion of two tacklers followed, leading to the 65-yard score. This marked the first punt return touchdown for the Tigers since their 2018 national championship season, when Amari Rodgers accomplished a similar feat during a win against Boston College.

The Tigers' defense secured the lead, preventing Cal from getting close to the end zone again. Quarterbacks Tait Reynolds and Gideon Davidson had subpar performances, with Reynolds completing 16 of 29 passes for 119 yards and two interceptions, and Davidson throwing for 108 yards and two turnovers in his second start. Both teams traded interceptions on their opening drives, setting the tone for a defense-dominated first half.

Cal opened the scoring with a 35-yard fumble return touchdown by Kamar Mothudi. Clemson answered with a field goal and took the lead on Davidson's 1-yard run, which followed a 17-play drive that culminated after Niles Davis made an offside call on a fourth-and-4 pooch punt out of field-goal formation. The takeaway for Clemson: The Tigers played their fourth game in California, returning to the field after their 2019 College Football Playoff championship win.

Cal's offense, expected to be a strength for the team in Sagapolutele's second season, struggled to move the ball consistently. Cal hadn't scored an offensive touchdown at home since a 12-10 victory over Washington in 2018, and the last time that occurred was in a 21-3 loss to Stanford during the 2012 Big Game. Upcoming matchups: Clemson will host No. 6 Miami on October 3, while Cal will host UNLV on the same day.