# 2024 California Golden Bears football team

The 2024 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Golden Bears were led by Justin Wilcox in his eighth year as the head coach. The Golden Bears played their home games at California Memorial Stadium located in Berkeley, California.
The 2024 season was California's first in the ACC since moving from the Pac-12 Conference.
On October 5, before playing against the Miami Hurricanes, California hosted their first College GameDay in school history.

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| August 31 | 2:00 p.m. | No. 18 (FCS) UC Davis* | California Memorial StadiumBerkeley, CA | ACCNX/ESPN+ | W 31–13 | 32,275 |
| September 7 | 12:30 p.m. | at Auburn* | Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, AL | ESPN2 | W 21–14 | 88,043 |
| September 14 | 7:30 p.m. | San Diego State* | California Memorial StadiumBerkeley, CA | ESPN | W 31–10 | 35,197 |
| September 21 | 4:00 p.m. | at Florida State | Doak Campbell StadiumTallahassee, FL | ESPN2 | L 9–14 | 55,107 |
| October 5 | 7:30 p.m. | No. 8 Miami (FL) | California Memorial StadiumBerkeley, CA (College GameDay) | ESPN | L 38–39 | 52,428 |
| October 12 | 12:30 p.m. | at No. 22 Pittsburgh | Acrisure StadiumPittsburgh, PA | ESPN | L 15–17 | 49,773 |
| October 19 | 12:30 p.m. | NC State | California Memorial StadiumBerkeley, CA | ACCN | L 23–24 | 35,303 |
| October 26 | 1:00 p.m. | Oregon State* | California Memorial StadiumBerkeley, CA | ESPN2 | W 44–7 | 33,090 |
| November 8 | 5:00 p.m. | at Wake Forest | Allegacy Federal Credit Union StadiumWinston-Salem, NC | ACCN | W 46–36 | 28,455 |
| November 16 | 12:00 p.m. | Syracuse | California Memorial StadiumBerkeley, CA | The CW | L 25–33 | 33,493 |
| November 23 | 12:30 p.m. | Stanford | California Memorial StadiumBerkeley, CA (Big Game) | ACCN | W 24–21 | 52,428 |
| November 30 | 12:30 p.m. | at No. 9 SMU | Gerald J. Ford StadiumUniversity Park, TX | ESPN2 | L 6–38 | 33,178 |
| December 18 | 6:00 p.m. | vs. No. 24 UNLV* | SoFi StadiumInglewood, CA (LA Bowl) | ESPN | L 13–24 | 24,420 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from AP Poll - Released prior to gameAll times are in Pacific time |||||||

## Game summaries
### vs. No. 18 (FCS) UC Davis

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 18 (FCS) Aggies | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Golden Bears | 7 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 31 |
at California Memorial Stadium • Berkeley, California
* Date: Saturday August 31, 2024
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Temperature: 69 °F (21 °C) • Wind: SW at 9 miles per hour (14 km/h) • Weather: Sunny
* Game attendance: 32,275
* Referee: Justin Elliott
* TV announcers (ACCNX/ESPN+): Roxy Bernstein (play-by-play), Craig Haubert (analyst), and Sherree Burruss (sideline reporter)
| Statistics | UCD | CAL |
| First downs | 20 | 16 |
| Total yards | 304 | 281 |
| Rushing yards | 83 | 102 |
| Passing yards | 221 | 179 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 24–48–3 | 18–28–0 |
| Time of possession | 30:16 | 29:44 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| UC Davis | Passing | Miles Hastings | 24/48, 221 yards, 3 INT |
| UC Davis | Rushing | Lan Larison | 17 carries, 62 yards, TD |
| UC Davis | Receiving | C. J. Hutton | 7 receptions, 68 yards |
| California | Passing | Fernando Mendoza | 15/22, 158 yards, TD |
| California | Rushing | Jaydn Ott | 14 carries, 49 yards, 2 TD |
| California | Receiving | Nyziah Hunter | 4 receptions, 47 yards, TD |

### at Auburn

| Pregame line | Over/under |
| Auburn –11.5 | 52.5 |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Golden Bears | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
| Tigers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Jordan-Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama
* Date: September 7th
* Game time: 12:30 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 85 °F (29 °C) • Wind: NW 4 mph
* Game attendance: 88,043
* Referee: Riley Johnson
* TV announcers (ESPN2): Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst), Stormy Buonantony (sideline reporter)
| Statistics | CAL | AUB |
| First downs | 18 | 15 |
| Total yards | 70–332 | 57–286 |
| Rushing yards | 34–99 | 30–121 |
| Passing yards | 233 | 165 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 25–36–0 | 14–27–4 |
| Time of possession | 35:16 | 24:44 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| California | Passing | Fernando Mendoza | 25/36, 233 yds, 2 TD |
| California | Rushing | Jaivian Thomas | 8 rushes, 53 yds, TD |
| California | Receiving | Jonathan Brady | 4 receptions, 63 yds |
| Auburn | Passing | Payton Thorne | 14/27, 165 yds, TD, 4 INT |
| Auburn | Rushing | Jarquez Hunter | 12 rushes, 68 yds |
| Auburn | Receiving | Jarquez Hunter | 3 receptions, 11 yds |

### vs San Diego State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Aztecs | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| Golden Bears | 7 | 0 | 14 | 10 | 31 |
at California Memorial Stadium • Berkeley, California
* Date: September 14th
* Game time: 7:30 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Temperature: 60 °F (16 °C) • Wind: SW at 8 miles per hour (13 km/h) • Weather: Sunny
* Game attendance: 35,197
* Referee: Patrick Foy
* TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst), and Stormy Buonantony (sideline reporter)
| Statistics | SDSU | CAL |
| First downs | 16 | 21 |
| Total yards | 65–276 | 71–473 |
| Rushing yards | 35–110 | 42–275 |
| Passing yards | 166 | 198 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 14–30–2 | 21–29–1 |
| Time of possession | 27:15 | 32:45 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| San Diego State | Passing | Javance Tupou'ata-Johnson | 13/29, 156 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT |
| San Diego State | Rushing | Marquez Cooper | 22 carries, 87 yards |
| San Diego State | Receiving | Jordan Napier | 2 receptions, 53 yards, 1 TD |
| California | Passing | Fernando Mendoza | 21/29, 198 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT |
| California | Rushing | Jaivian Thomas | 17 carries, 169 yards |
| California | Receiving | Nyziah Hunter | 4 receptions, 52 yards, 1 TD |

### at Florida State

| Pregame line | Over/under |
| Florida State –2.5 | 44.5 |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Golden Bears | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| Seminoles | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, FL
* Date: September 21, 2024
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. PST
* Game attendance: 55,107
* Referee: Stuart Mullins
* TV announcers (ESPN2): Roy Philpott (play-by-play), Sam Acho (analyst), and Taylor Davis (sideline reporter)
| Statistics | CAL | FSU |
| First downs | 23 | 17 |
| Total yards | 410 | 284 |
| Rushing yards | 107 | 107 |
| Passing yards | 303 | 177 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 22-37-1 | 16-27-1 |
| Time of possession | 29:19 | 30:41 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| California | Passing | Fernando Mendoza | 22/36, 303 yards, 1 INT |
| California | Rushing | Jaydn Ott | 16 carries, 73 yards |
| California | Receiving | Mason Starling | 5 receptions, 68 yards |
| Florida State | Passing | DJ Uiagalelei | 16/27, 177 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Florida State | Rushing | Lawrance Toafili | 17 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD |
| Florida State | Receiving | Ja'Khi Douglas | 4 receptions, 86 yards, 1 TD |

### vs No. 8 Miami (FL)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 8 Hurricanes | 7 | 3 | 8 | 21 | 39 |
| Golden Bears | 7 | 14 | 14 | 3 | 38 |
at California Memorial Stadium • Berkeley, California
* Date: October 5th
* Game time: 7:30 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Temperature: 82 °F (28 °C) • Wind: N at 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h) • Weather: Clear
* Game attendance: 52,428
* Referee: Nate Black
* TV announcers (ESPN): Rece Davis (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst), and Sherree Burruss (sideline reporter)
| Statistics | MIA | CAL |
| First downs | 29 | 12 |
| Total yards | 86–575 | 49–370 |
| Rushing yards | 33–138 | 25–73 |
| Passing yards | 437 | 297 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 35–53–1 | 12–24–1 |
| Time of possession | 37:14 | 22:41 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Miami (FL) | Passing | Cam Ward | 35/53, 437 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Miami (FL) | Rushing | Mark Fletcher Jr. | 11 carries, 81 yards, TD |
| Miami (FL) | Receiving | Xavier Restrepo | 7 receptions, 163 yards |
| California | Passing | Fernando Mendoza | 11/22, 285 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| California | Rushing | Jonathan Brady | 1 carry, 20 yards |
| California | Receiving | Jack Endries | 3 receptions, 78 yards, TD |

### at No. 22 Pittsburgh

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Golden Bears | 6 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 15 |
| No. 22 Panthers | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
at Acrisure Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
* Date: October 12th
* Game time: 12:30 p.m. PST
* Game attendance: 49,773
* TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst), and Stormy Buonantony (sideline reporter)
| Statistics | CAL | PITT |
| First downs | 23 | 14 |
| Total yards | 335 | 277 |
| Rushing yards | 63 | 144 |
| Passing yards | 272 | 133 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 27–37–0 | 14–28–2 |
| Time of possession | 38:30 | 21:30 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| California | Passing | Fernando Mendoza | 27/37, 272 yards, TD |
| California | Rushing | Jaivian Thomas | 17 carries, 72 yards, TD |
| California | Receiving | Jack Endries | 8 receptions, 119 yards, TD |
| Pittsburgh | Passing | Eli Holstein | 14/28, 133 yards, 2 INT |
| Pittsburgh | Rushing | Desmond Reid | 16 carries, 120 yards, 2 TD |
| Pittsburgh | Receiving | Konata Mumpfield | 3 receptions, 37 yards |

### vs NC State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Wolfpack | 3 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 24 |
| Golden Bears | 7 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 23 |
at California Memorial Stadium • Berkeley, California
* Date: October 19th
* Game time: 12:30 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Sunny, 76 °F (24 °C)
* Game attendance: 35,303
* Referee: Jerry Magallanes
* TV announcers (ACCN): Jorge Sedano (play-by-play), Orlando Franklin (analyst), and Morgan Uber (sideline reporter)
| Statistics | NCST | CAL |
| First downs | 15 | 23 |
| Total yards | 363 | 399 |
| Rushing yards | 29 | 117 |
| Passing yards | 334 | 282 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 26-37-0 | 30-43-0 |
| Time of possession | 32:37 | 27:23 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| NC State | Passing | CJ Bailey | 25/36, 306 yards, 2 TD |
| NC State | Rushing | Hollywood Smothers | 7 carries, 25 yards |
| NC State | Receiving | Justin Joly | 4 receptions, 95 yards |
| CAL | Passing | Fernando Mendoza | 30/42, 282 yards, 2 TD |
| CAL | Rushing | Jaivian Thomas | 9 carries, 78 yards, 2 TD |
| CAL | Receiving | Jack Endries | 9 receptions, 101 yards |

### vs Oregon State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Beavers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Golden Bears | 14 | 17 | 10 | 3 | 44 |
at California Memorial Stadium • Berkeley, California
* Date: October 26th
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
* Game attendance: 33,090
* TV announcers (ESPN2): Mike Monaco (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst) and Dawn Davenport (sideline)
| Statistics | ORST | CAL |
| First downs | 12 | 28 |
| Total yards | 200 | 478 |
| Rushing yards | 60 | 114 |
| Passing yards | 140 | 364 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 14–28–1 | 27–37–0 |
| Time of possession | 27:39 | 32:21 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Oregon State | Passing | Ben Gulbranson | 11/20, 131 yards, TD |
| Oregon State | Rushing | Anthony Hankerson | 16 carries, 49 yards |
| Oregon State | Receiving | Trent Walker | 5 receptions, 58 yards, TD |
| California | Passing | Fernando Mendoza | 27/36, 364 yards, 2 TD |
| California | Rushing | Jaivian Thomas | 7 carries, 33 yards, TD |
| California | Receiving | Trond Grizzell | 5 receptions, 95 yards |

### at Wake Forest

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Golden Bears | 10 | 19 | 7 | 10 | 46 |
| Demon Deacons | 7 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 36 |
at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium • Winston-Salem, North Carolina
* Date: November 8th
* Game time: 5:00 p.m. PST
* Game attendance: 28,455
* TV announcers (ACCN): Jorge Sedano (play-by-play), Orlando Franklin (analyst) and Morgan Uber (sideline)
| Statistics | CAL | WAKE |
| First downs | 31 | 26 |
| Total yards | 500 | 386 |
| Rushing yards | 115 | 112 |
| Passing yards | 385 | 274 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 40–56–1 | 19–36–3 |
| Time of possession | 34:30 | 25:30 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| California | Passing | Fernando Mendoza | 40/56, 385 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| California | Rushing | Fernando Mendoza | 10 carries, 51 yards, TD |
| California | Receiving | Mikey Matthews | 8 receptions, 83 yards, TD |
| Wake Forest | Passing | Hank Bachmeier | 19/36, 274 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT |
| Wake Forest | Rushing | Demond Claiborne | 23 carries, 113 yards, TD |
| Wake Forest | Receiving | Taylor Morin | 9 receptions, 110 yards |

### vs Syracuse

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Orange | 6 | 21 | 3 | 3 | 33 |
| Golden Bears | 0 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 25 |
at California Memorial Stadium • Berkeley, California
* Date: November 16th
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. PST
* Game attendance: 33,493
* TV announcers (The CW): Thom Brennaman (play-by-play), Max Browne (analyst) and Treavor Scales (sideline)
| Statistics | SYR | CAL |
| First downs | 26 | 19 |
| Total yards | 471 | 391 |
| Rushing yards | 148 | 166 |
| Passing yards | 323 | 225 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 29-46-0 | 22-34-2 |
| Time of possession | 38:41 | 21:19 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Syracuse | Passing | Kyle McCord | 29-46 323 Yards 1 TD |
| Syracuse | Rushing | LeQuint Allen | 23 Carries 109 Yards 2 TD |
| Syracuse | Receiving | Oronde Gadsden II | 8 Receptions 109 Yards |
| California | Passing | Fernando Mendoza | 22-34 225 Yards 1 TD 2 INT |
| California | Rushing | Jaivian Thomas | 3 Carries 80 Yards 1 TD |
| California | Receiving | Jonathan Brady | 6 Receptions 54 Yards 1 TD |

### vs Stanford (Big Game)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinal | 14 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| Golden Bears | 0 | 7 | 3 | 14 | 24 |
at California Memorial Stadium • Berkeley, California
* Date: November 23rd
* Game time: 12:30 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 55 °F (13 °C) • Wind: SW at 8 miles per hour (13 km/h)
* Game attendance: 52,428
* Referee: Marcus Reed
* TV announcers (ACCN): Jorge Sedano (play-by-play), Orlando Franklin (analyst) and Morgan Uber (sideline)
| Statistics | STAN | CAL |
| First downs | 14 | 20 |
| Total yards | 259 | 371 |
| Rushing yards | 118 | 72 |
| Passing yards | 141 | 299 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 15–29–0 | 25–38–0 |
| Time of possession | 33:01 | 26:59 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Stanford | Passing | Ashton Daniels | 14/26, 139 yards |
| Stanford | Rushing | Ashton Daniels | 21 carries, 63 yards |
| Stanford | Receiving | Emmett Mosley V | 6 receptions, 63 yards, TD |
| California | Passing | Fernando Mendoza | 25/36, 299 yards, 3 TD |
| California | Rushing | Fernando Mendoza | 11 carries, 35 yards |
| California | Receiving | Trond Grizzell | 4 receptions, 70 yards, TD |

### at No. 9 SMU

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Golden Bears | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| No. 9 Mustangs | 14 | 7 | 0 | 17 | 38 |
at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, University Park, Texas
* Date: Saturday November 30, 2024
* Game time: 12:30 PM PST
* Game weather: Sunny, 60 °F (16 °C)
* Game attendance: 33,178
* Referee: Tim Hedgepeth
* TV announcers (ESPN2): Brian Custer (play-by-play), Rod Gilmore (analyst), and Lauren Sisler (sideline)
| Statistics | CAL | SMU |
| First downs | 16 | 20 |
| Total yards | 254 | 415 |
| Rushing yards | 95 | 115 |
| Passing yards | 159 | 300 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 14–26–1 | 24–34–0 |
| Time of possession | 31:17 | 28:43 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| California | Passing | Chandler Rogers | 8/15, 84 yards |
| California | Rushing | Jaydn Ott | 13 carries, 37 yards |
| California | Receiving | Nyziah Hunter | 5 receptions, 85 yards |
| SMU | Passing | Kevin Jennings | 20/30, 225 yards, 2 TD |
| SMU | Rushing | Brashard Smith | 16 carries, 68 yards, TD |
| SMU | Receiving | Brashard Smith | 3 receptions, 66 yards, TD |

### No. 24 UNLV (LA Bowl)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Golden Bears | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| No. 24 Rebels | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
at SoFi Stadium • Inglewood, California
* Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2024
* Game time: 6:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 73 °F (23 °C) • Wind: W at 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h) (fixed roof)
* Game attendance: 24,420
* Referee: Ted Pitts
* TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Louis Riddick (analyst) and Kris Budden (sideline)
Game information :
First quarter
(7:45) CAL – Derek Morris 43 yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 52 yards, 2:13; California 3–0)
(5:04) UNLV – Kayden McGee 49 yard pass from Hajj-Malik Williams, Caden Chittenden kick (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 2:41; UNLV 7–3)
(0:19) CAL – Josiah Martin 29 yard run, Derek Morris kick (Drive: 9 plays, 89 yards, 4:45; California 10–7)
Second quarter
(13:17) UNLV – Jacob De Jesus 9 yard pass from Hajj-Malik Williams, Caden Chittenden kick (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:02; UNLV 14–10)
(1:50) CAL – Ryan Coe 30 yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 32 yards, 5:40; UNLV 14–13)
Third quarter
(2:13) UNLV – Kylin James 23 yard run, Caden Chittenden kick (Drive: 1 plays, 23 yards, 0:06; UNLV 21–13)
Fourth quarter
(6:01) UNLV – Caden Chittenden 48 yard field goal (Drive: 4 play, -5 yards, 2:08; UNLV 24–13)
Win Probability
Line
Over/Under :
| Statistics | CAL | UNLV |
| First downs | 21 | 12 |
| Total yards | 348 | 291 |
| Rushing yards | 182 | 143 |
| Passing yards | 166 | 148 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 19–39–0 | 6–19–0 |
| Time of possession | 35:50 | 24:10 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| California | Passing | C. J. Harris | 13/20, 109 yards |
| California | Rushing | Jaydn Ott | 11 carries, 109 yards |
| California | Receiving | Jack Endries | 7 receptions, 61 yards |
| UNLV | Passing | Hajj-Malik Williams | 5/18, 96 yards, 2 TD |
| UNLV | Rushing | Jai'Den Thomas | 18 carries, 72 yards |
| UNLV | Receiving | Cameron Oliver | 1 reception, 52 yards |