Seems the Cal offense hasn’t been fixed after all.
One week after scoring 49 points in a win over Arizona, the Bears managed just one touchdown against nine punts in a 28-9 loss to Washington State on Saturday at Gesa Field in Pullman, Washington.
And things could be tougher still if quarterback Jack Plummer is seriously injured. The senior transfer from Purdue, who had played every snap all season, left the field with just 5 minutes left apparently injuring his right knee.
Plummer remained in the game to begin the next drive but was back on the sideline with 3 minutes left, giving way to redshirt freshman Kai Millner in his first collegiate appearance.
The Bears have a bye next week before visiting Colorado on Oct. 15. Cal (3-2, 1-1) still hasn’t started the Pac-12 with a 2-0 record since 2015.
Freshman running back Jaydn Ott, after erupting for 274 rushing yards against Arizona, was held largely in check, limited to 69 rushing yards and 41 more on seven catches.
Setting aside its scoring outburst against Arizona, the Bears are averaging just 15.3 points in their other three games against FBS opponents.
The Cougars (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12), coming off a 44-41 loss to Oregon, used a big day by quarterback Cameron Ward, who overcame two interceptions by passing for 343 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bears trailed just 7-3 at halftime, but Ward orchestrated a more potent WSU offensive attack in the second half. He fired a 37-yard strike to Renard Bell for a 21-9 lead with 12 minutes left, then flipped a 1-yard touchdown pass to Billy Reviere on a fourth-and-goal play with 6:19 left, pushing the lead to 28-9 to virtually clinch the victory.
Cal’s only touchdown of the game was a 2-yard run by Ott with 13:28 to play, following completions of 30 and 49 yards from Plummer to Jeremiah Hunter.
Plummer finished 23 for 33 for 273 yards.
Cal played turnover-free football but negotiated just 13 first downs and netted 31 rushing yards, thanks to seven WSU tackles for loss, including four sacks. The Bears were 5 for 16 on third downs.
A week after Cal (49) and WSU (41) combined for 90 points, they total 10 in the first half.
The Cougars got on the board first when freshman Jaylen Jenkins scored on a 2-yard run with 13:18 to play in the second quarter, capping a four-play, 20-yard drive. The TD was set up by Robert Farrell’s 34-yard punt return and a personal foul against Cal’s Elijah Mojarro, who was flagged for making a block after his helmet had come off.
Cal responded on its next possession, going 51 yards in eight plays, including a 33-yard completion to J.Michael Sturdivant to the WSU 37. Ott ran 13 yards on the next play, but the Bears settled for a season-long 42-yard field goal from Dario Longhetto with 9:10 to go in the half.
Cal had 121 yards to 103 for the Cougars, who had zero rushing yards at the intermission. Plummer was 12 for 16 for 111 yards passing, but was sacked three times. Ott, coming off his monster performance against Arizona, was limited to 29 rushing yards on nine attempts and 11 more on three catches.
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
