Berkeley, CA – High on the hill inside California Memorial Stadium on Saturday, September 16, 2023, the University of California Golden Bears football team displayed determination and resilience as they overcame a 17-point deficit to secure a 31-17 victory over the University of Idaho Vandals. The game marked the first meeting between the two schools in nearly 90 years, and the Bears continued their undefeated streak, now standing at 5-0 against the Vandals.
The Bears entered this contest seeking redemption following a disappointing 14-10 loss at home to Auburn just one week earlier. The memory of that mistake-filled defeat seemed to linger in the air as they took the field once again. Compounding their challenges, they were without their star running back, Jaydn Ott, who remained sidelined due to an injury sustained in the game against Auburn.
Early on, it appeared that California might be in for another frustrating outing. The Vandals surged to a 17-0 lead in the first 18 minutes of play, and at one point, they held a 200-47 advantage in total yards. However, the Bears refused to back down, showcasing their character and resilience.
One of the standout performances of the game came from running back Isaiah Ifanse. The Montana State transfer carried the ball 22 times for an impressive 137 yards and contributed a crucial touchdown. It marked Ifanse’s first career 100-yard game at Cal and the 18th of his college career. Ashton Stredick also played a pivotal role in anchoring the Bears’ ground game, accumulating 77 yards on 11 carries and helping the team average an impressive 6.0 yards per carry while outgaining the Vandals on the ground by a margin of 256-108.
Quarterback Sam Jackson V was another key contributor, both through the air and on the ground. Jackson passed for 108 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing his ability to lead the Bears’ offense effectively. He also rushed for 41 yards and added another touchdown, despite being forced out of the game following a hard hit. Jackson’s performance played a crucial role in the Bears’ comeback.
The turning point of the game came in the second half when the Bears staged an incredible comeback, scoring 31 unanswered points, with 17 of those points coming in the second half alone. This remarkable resurgence not only showcased the team’s physical prowess but also their mental toughness and ability to adapt to challenging situations.
The Bears’ defense continued to be a bright spot, forcing three more turnovers during the game, bringing their season total to 10 turnovers forced. Cal entered the day leading the Pac-12 in turnovers forced, demonstrating their ability to disrupt opposing offenses.
Cal coach Justin Wilcox acknowledged that while he expected a better start from his team, he was proud of their ability to rally and secure the victory. With this hard-fought win, the Golden Bears are looking ahead to their final season in the Pac-12, and they will face a tough test next Saturday night on the road in Seattle against No. 8 Washington. The lessons learned from their comeback victory over Idaho will undoubtedly serve them well as they prepare for the upcoming challenge. Whether the experience versus Idaho was the wakeup call remains to be seen. Cal plays Washington at 7:30 PM on Saturday, September 23. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, and has been covering NCAA football, including various Pacific-12 Conference member institutions, since 2007. All images taken by Jason Reed for American Presswire and ©2023 Jason Reed for American Presswire subject to unlimited use under license unless otherwise noted. Ahsan Awan can be found on X as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi. Jason Reed can be found on X as @FieldofDD and on Instagram as @fieldofdaydreams.