Sep 123 min read

Surging Golden Bears Host Aztecs in the Bay Area

Cal Golden Bears Celebrating Win Over Auburn — © John Reed-Imagn Images

After their impressive victory over the Auburn Tigers (1-1) in Week 2, the Cal Golden Bears (2-0) host the San Diego State Aztecs (1-1) at 10:30 p.m. EST on Sept. 14 at the historic California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif.

The Aztecs are coming off a 21-0 loss to the Oregon State Beavers (2-0). Cal, which received votes in the most recent AP Top 25 poll, but remains unranked, is favored by 17.5 points in this West Coast matchup.

High Stakes

This game is Cal's last nonconference matchup before commencing play against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference. After this skirmish with the Aztecs, the Golden Bears travel to Tallahassee, Fla. to meet the Florida State Seminoles (0-2), then return home to host the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes (2-0). Before facing these Floridian blueblood ACC stalwarts, the Golden Bears will strive to remain undefeated.

After falling to the Beavers in Week 2, the Aztecs look to rebound against Oregon State's former Pac-12 Conference rival. SDSU will play one more nonconference game following this tilt, before commencing its Mountain West Conference schedule.

Exceptional Aztecs

Senior SDSU running back Marquez Cooper is one of 87 running backs in the country named to the 2024 Doak Walker Award Watch List. He has accumulated 276 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 40 carries in the Aztecs' first two games.

Sophomore linebacker Tano Letuli is an Aztecs' team captain and is the team's leading tackler this season, with 15.

To hang with the talented 2024 Golden Bears squad, the Aztecs will need top-level performances from both Cooper and Letuli.

Gifted Golden Bears

Cal and its fans are on cloud nine after the Golden Bears' terrific upset victory over Auburn 'on the plains' in Alabama. Their defense was stout, led by senior linebacker Teddye Buchanan, who made 11 tackles, forced a fumble and had 2 quarterback hurries. Additionally, defensive back Nohl Williams intercepted 2 passes by Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne.

Look for the talented Golden Bears' defense to keep flexing its muscle against the Aztecs in Berkeley.

Cal QB Fernando Mendoza completed 16 of his first 17 passes against Auburn, performing steadily throughout the game. And, the rushing attack was led by talented freshman running back Jaivian Thomas, who stepped up to fill in admirably for star RB Jadyn Ott who was hobbled by an ankle injury suffered in Week 1.

The Golden Bears will look to redeploy their balanced offensive attack against San Diego State.

Cal Golden Bears — © Jake Crandall/Advertiser/USA TODAY NETWORK

Stuffing the 'Mouth of the South'

Before the Auburn game, ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum proclaimed, "There is no chance Auburn loses to Cal. None. Book it."

When questioned about Cal's triumph afterward, Finebaum unloaded on Auburn coach Hugh Freeze: "There's no one else to blame but Hugh Freeze," he said. "If you want to pile on [quarterback] Payton Thorne, go right ahead. He's the one Hugh Freeze chose. Hugh Freeze is the offensive wizard. Hugh Freeze is the head coach. This is someone Hugh Freeze banked the entire season on." Finebaum continued, stating, "This is a trend. This is not an aberration. This is not a one-off. This is where this program is right now under Hugh Freeze."

Finebaum did not credit Cal. Rather, he focused solely on blaming Freeze. Perhaps the "Mouth of the South" ought to contritely acknowledge the Golden Bears' dominant defensive performance, delivered after he claimed they had zero chance to win the game.

Against San Diego State, Cal will seek to continue proving Finebaum wrong.