BERKELEY, Calif. - Kyle Boller threw for 209 yards and a touchdown as California held off Utah for a 24-21 season-opening victory Saturday.

Boller hit James Smith with a 12-yard pass, Saleem Muhammad scored on a 1-yard run, and Joe Igber had a 13-yard touchdown dash for Cal. Mark-Christian Jensen added a 27-yard field goal.

Boller, who had shoulder surgery in November, completed 18 of 28 passes, but threw an interception that was returned for a Utah touchdown.

The Utes, who lost their opener last week to Arizona, scored on the interception return and Nick Morgan's 18-yard run in the final quarter.

Steve Smith added to Utah's final margin with a 26-yard punt return for a touchdown with 5:07 left in the game. Golden Whetman attempted a 55-yard field goal as time ran out that fell well short.

Cal went up 7-0 with 3:50 in the first quarter on Muhammad's short scoring dash.

The Utes, facing the second of three straight Pacific-10 Conference opponents, came out stale. Starter T.D. Croshaw passed for just 12 yards before he was replaced by Darnell Arceneaux with two seconds left in the first quarter.

Utah tied it at 7 in the second quarter when Lauvale Sape knocked Boller's arm and the errant throw was intercepted by Andre Dyson, who ran untouched for 58-yard touchdown.

Utah came close late in the first half, when Arceneaux's 4-yard pass to Steve Smith was ruled incomplete - although one official indicated it was a touchdown.

After a false start penalty by the Utes, Cal cornerback Jameel Powell intercepted Arceneaux with a leaping catch in the end zone over intended receiver Dennis Smith.

Cal allowed the clock to run out and the game remained tied at halftime.

Utah fumbled on the opening series of the third quarter and Cal brought the ball back 44 yards in five plays - concluding with Boller's 12-yarder to Smith.

Steve Smith's 85-yard punt return with 5:21 to go in the quarter was called back by an illegal block in the back.

Igber's 13-yard dash came with 1:19 left in the quarter. Igber finished with 26 carries for 84 yards.

Cal Center Reed Diehl went down before the half with a sprained left knee. He was helped off the field by trainers, and later carted out of Memorial Stadium.

Jensen missed a 45-yard field goal on Cal's first series of the game, but he hit the 27-yarder with nine seconds left in the third quarter. Cal had just five field goals last season.

By ANNE M. PETERSON
AP Sports Writer