Bryant Wesco Jr. broke an eight-year drought for Clemson with a 65-yard punt return touchdown late in the third quarter, helping the Tigers secure a 24-10 victory over California on Friday night in Berkeley, California. The punt return came after Cal tied the game early in the second half, and it gave Clemson the lead they would not relinquish.
Both teams struggled offensively in what was their first meeting since Cal joined the Atlantic Coast Conference this year. The game featured just two offensive touchdowns combined. Clemson’s Gideon Davidson provided the finishing touch with a 75-yard touchdown run with under three minutes remaining, capping off his 159-yard, two-touchdown performance on the ground.
Cal opened the second half with a field goal to tie the contest at 10-10, but Clemson responded quickly after the Bears punted on their next drive. Agnus Davies sent a low 39-yard punt down the middle of the field, which Wesco fielded while running. He evaded two defenders and turned toward the Clemson sideline before sprinting into the end zone. This touchdown marked Clemson’s first punt return score since Amari Rodgers’ 58-yard return against Boston College during their 2018 national championship season.
Clemson’s defense held firm after the punt return, preventing Cal from reaching the end zone again. Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele completed 16 of 29 passes for 119 yards but threw two interceptions, equaling his fewest yards in 17 career starts. Clemson’s quarterback Tait Reynolds threw for 108 yards but also turned the ball over twice in his second start.
The game's opening drives set the tone defensively, with both teams exchanging interceptions. Cal struck first on defense with a 35-yard fumble return touchdown by Kamar Mothudi. Clemson responded with a field goal and later took the lead on a one-yard touchdown run by Davidson, following a 17-play drive extended by a Cal offside penalty on a fourth-and-4 pooch punt.
This was Clemson’s fourth game ever played in California and their first since their win over Alabama in the College Football Playoff title game on January 7, 2019. The current Tigers team looked different from the undefeated squad led by Trevor Lawrence that earned Clemson its third national title.
Cal’s offense, expected to be a strong point this season, struggled to find consistency throughout the night. The Bears failed to score an offensive touchdown at home for the first time since a 12-10 victory over Washington in 2018, and their last such shutout at home was in a 21-3 loss to Stanford in the 2012 Big Game.
Clemson will host No. 6 Miami on October 3, while Cal will travel to face UNLV on the same date.
According to Yahoo Sports.
