The California football team returns to Berkeley on Saturday for a noon PT kickoff against Syracuse. The Golden Bears (5-4,1-4 ACC) and Orange (6-3, 3-3 ACC) will meet for the third time in history.
SATURDAY LINEUP
Venue: California Memorial Stadium (Berkeley, California)
Time: Noon PT
Television (The CW): Thom Brennaman (play-by-play), Max Browne (analyst), Treavor Scales (sideline)
Cal Bears Sports Network Powered By Northern California Toyota Dealers: 810 AM
Justin Allegri (play-by-play), Mike Pawlawski (analyst), Kevin Danna (sideline); SiriusXM Ch. 389 SXM App 979, The Varsity App
CAL...
– Is coming off its first-ever ACC win last Friday at Wake Forest.
– Has outscored opponents, 258-174, with its four wins coming by an average of 18.60 points per game and its four losses an average of 2.25 points per contest.
– Has won its last four November games dating back to the final three of 2023.
– Leads the nation with 17 interceptions and is among the country's top 10 in a total of six team categories related to turnovers, including turnover margin (2nd, +1.78 per game), turnovers gained (T3rd, 9), turnovers lost (T5th, 6), fewest passes had intercepted (T10th, 4) and fumbles lost (T10th, 2).
– Has only six giveaways in 2024 after committing 28 in 2023 that were the fourth most nationally.
– Has not lost the turnover battle in 2024, winning in seven games (UC Davis, at Auburn, San Diego State, at Pitt, NC State, Oregon State, at Wake Forest) and holding even in two (at Florida State, Miami).
– Has at least one takeaway in 44 of its last 47 games and in 11 straight.
– Has capitalized on its turnover success with a 54-20 points off turnovers advantage.
– Is ranked in the top 30 nationally in a total of 18 team categories including rushing defense (11th, 100.4 ypg), team sacks (T11th, 3.11 spg), team passing efficiency defense (16th, 110.49), completion percentage (14th, 67.9), defensive touchdowns (T15th, 2), blocked kicks (18th, 2), passing offense (20th, 279.2 ypg), scoring defense (23rd, 19.3 ppg), kickoff returns (24th, 23.88), punt return defense (25th, 4.46 ypr), net punting (T25th, 41.48 avg) and red zone defense (30th, 77.3%).
– Leads the ACC in five team categories (completion percentage, passes intercepted, scoring defense, team passing efficiency defense, turnover margin), while tying for the conference lead in two others (blocked kicks allowed, fewest passes intercepted).
– Has a defense that is allowing just over half of the points per game it allowed in 2023 by cutting the 32.8 ppg allowed a season ago to its current 19.3 ppg.
– Has not allowed more than 144 yards rushing in a game this season (at Pitt).
– Has outscored opponents in the middle two periods by a combined 147-49 (79-34 in the second period, 68-15 in the third period).
– Has scored on its opening drive in each of its last four games, getting touchdowns at Pitt, NC State, and Oregon State, before settling for a field goal at Wake Forest.
– Set team season highs in each of its last two games in points, passing yards and total yards, eclipsing the previous marks set against Oregon State (44, 364, 478) and at Wake Forest with 46 points, 385 passing yards and 500 total offense yards.
NATIONALLY NOTABLE
– DB
Nohl Williams leads the nation with seven interceptions, is tied for third with one kickoff return touchdown, tied for fourth with one interception return TD and tied for fifth with 12 passes defended.
– DB
Cam Sidney is tied for eighth with two fumble recoveries.
– OLB
Xavier Carlton is tied for seventh in sacks per game (1.00) and tied for ninth in total sacks (7.0).
– P
Lachlan Wilson is ninth in punting average (45.9 ypp).
– QB
Fernando Mendoza is 10th in completions per game (24.22), 12th in completion percentage (69.0%), 15th in passing yards per game (275.6), 18th in passing yards (2,480) and 20th in total offense (283.4 ypg).
– ILB
Teddye Buchanan is tied for 18th in tackles per game (9.2) and tied for 21st in total tackles (84).
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