AUBURN, Ala. – There is only one thing sacred in the California football program, and it has nothing to do with any player or coach.

It's the football itself.

Two games into the 2024 season, the Golden Bears are once again demonstrating the importance of getting the football in their hands. Saturday, it resulted in one of the most pivotal nonconference wins in Travers Family Head Football Coach Justin Wilcox's eight seasons at Cal.

The Bears forced Auburn into five turnovers without committing one themselves, and Cal held on for a 21-14 victory over Auburn in front of a sellout crowd of 88,043 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

"We talked about it going into today, that we wanted to be plus-2 or plus-3 (in turnover margin)," Wilcox said. "It was about protecting the football and not giving it to them. That's the only sacred thing – not a coach or player. It's the football, and we took care of it today."

The Bears (2-0) ranked third in the country last season in turnovers gained and already have eight this season. Defensive back Nohl Williams had two interceptions against the Tigers to give him three for the season, while Ja'ir Smith and Lu-Magia Hearns III also picked off Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne. Cal also took it away when linebacker Teddye Buchanan stripped running back Jarquez Hunter and the ball was recovered by safety Craig Woodson.

"All the work we've put in is coming together – we just have to keep it going," Williams said. "Our defense did a good job of getting so many turnovers and getting the ball back to the offense."

It looked as though the Bears may have had a turnover for points on the second play of the game when linebacker Cade Uluave initially appeared to intercept a Thorne pass and return it for a touchdown. But video review revealed the ball hit the turf before Uluave could possess the ball, and the Tigers ended up scoring a touchdown on their first possession to lead 7-0 less than four minutes into the game.

But Cal answered immediately, led by a breathtaking opening possession by quarterback Fernando Mendoza. He led the offense on an eight-play, 75-yard drive – going 6-for-6 for 57 yards, culminating in a 19-yard touchdown throw to freshman Nyziah Hunter.

Mendoza completed his first eight passes of the game before throwing an incompletion on an intentional pass out of bounds, and then connected on seven more attempts in a row. One of those went for another touchdown to Hunter to give Cal a 14-7 lead in the second quarter.

Hunter, who began training camp as a third-string wide receiver but has received a chance to play because of injuries to others at his position, now has three scoring catches in his first two games.

"I didn't really expect to play this season," Hunter said. "I just came out prepared and ready to play. It was a tough game. I felt like I was part of the team and can make plays as well."

When Cal's defense wasn't forcing turnovers, it was for the most part also silencing Auburn's offense. The Bears held the Tigers to just 286 yards of total offense, led by linebacker Teddye Buchanan's stat-stuffing performance. Buchanan, a graduate transfer from UC Davis, recorded 11 tackles – including two sacks – while also forcing a fumble.

"He's a really good football player – but his approach is as important as anything," Wilcox said. "Around the building, how he approaches meetings and walk-throughs – he's a total professional. There's not much he isn't prepared for. That doesn't mean he's perfect, but if someone makes a play on him, you'll have to earn it."

Cal extended the lead to 21-7 on a 32-yard touchdown run by Jaivian Thomas with 11:27 left to play, but the Tigers answered to cut the deficit to 21-14 with just over six minutes left. Auburn's final two possessions ended on Cal interceptions.

"The leaders of this team came together with the other guys and talked about this being Cal vs. the world," Mendoza said. "We knew if we executed play by play, we would have a great result. Great teams finish out close games, and that was a big emphasis this offseason. We finished this game on the national stage, and I'm proud of all of my guys."

The Bears return home to California Memorial Stadium next Saturday to host San Diego State at 7:30 p.m. The game will air on ESPN.

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