PULLMAN, Wash. – No. 10 Washington State scored the winning touchdown with 32 seconds remaining to deny Cal its first bowl berth since 2015 in a 19-13 victory over the Bears at Martin Stadium on Saturday night.

Cal's defense turned in another memorable performance, slowing the Cougars' high-octane offense for much of the evening. Washington State entered the game leading the Pac-12 and ranked 16^th nationally in scoring average at 40.8 points per game. Cougars quarterback Gardner Minshew, a Heisman Trophy candidate, ended up with good numbers at 35-for-51 for 334 yards and a touchdown but failed to dominate like he has for much of the season.

Minshew began the week leading the country in passing yards (397.9 yards per game) and fifth in touchdown passes with 26. His only touchdown toss Saturday was the game-winner, a 10-yard strike to Easop Winston.

The win was the fifth in a row for the Cougars, who have been gaining traction in recent weeks as legitimate contenders for the College Football Playoff. But the Bears (5-4, 2-4 Pac-12) went toe-to-toe with WSU from the outset and were in position to take the lead midway through the fourth quarter before the Cougars ultimately pulled it out.

"I think our guys are competing really hard," Cal head coach Justin Wilcox said. "We are competing and doing some good things on defense, but we have to find a way to make one more play."

After Washington St. took a 3-0 lead early in the game, Cal went in front on a 2-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chase Garbers to fullback Malik McMorris with 11:00 remaining in the first half. The scoring drive was set up by an interception by linebacker Evan Weaver.

After the Cougars answered with a touchdown, Cal kicker Greg Thomas tied it at 10-10 on a 42-yard field goal with 36 seconds to go before the break. Washington St. was able to sneak in a quick-strike field goal of its own with a second left in the second quarter to lead 13-10.

Thomas' 46-yard field goal tied the score once again at 13-13 late in the third quarter.

Garbers, who was 15-for-26 for 127 yards and a touchdown, helped his own cause midway through the third quarter when he forced a fumble by the Cougars' Willie Taylor as he was returning an interception for an apparent touchdown. Taylor returned the Garbers interception 37 yards before Garbers tackled him and jarred the ball loose. It went through the end zone for a touchback and Cal got the ball back on offense.

"We had chances. We have to finish better," Wilcox said. "We just didn't have one or two more plays to finish the game, and that's why it's frustrating. We had our chances to win the game. We have to find a way to win the game."

Weaver and fellow linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk led Cal with nine tackles each, and Kunaszyk recorded the Bears' only sack.

The loss means Cal still is looking for one more victory to become bowl-eligible. The Bears travel to USC next Saturday.