By Shaniece Nicole (@ShanieceNicole)
The California Golden Bears have struggled to compete with the talent in their Pac-12 conference this season. They’re 3-6 following a second-quarter collapse against the USC Trojans (8-1) on Homecoming night. To put it simply, this game was USC’s to lose in every way. The top-ranked football team came into last night’s game with only one loss this season to the Utah Utes. Their opponent Cal Berkeley hadn’t won a game since September 10th. However, there was one aspect of last night’s game that USC should remember: be wary of those who have nothing to lose. Cal entered the game with unusual confidence and calm for a team that has struggled this season.
It’s only natural that the Golden Bears serve as the official school and athletic team mascot for a university that places a premium on academics and outwitting its competitors. However, their burly appearance makes tracking down their prey difficult. They overheat during chases and have poor turning ability due to their stock, insulated body. They can’t keep up with specialized predators and potential prey. The struggling Bears came out strong, scoring the game’s first touchdown, but the Trojans were able to retake the lead with a 20-7 halftime lead.
Cal found its way back on the board from a two-yard touchdown pass from Jack Plummer to Monroe Young, but USC still held the lead 27-14. As the night progressed and the homecoming crowd became more inebriated, Tahj Washington and Michael Jackson III teamed up for a touchdown party.
Washington was on the receiving end of a Caleb Williams 8-yard pass, and Michael Jackson III scored his second touchdown in the third quarter. That didn’t stop Cal from clapping back with a 47-yard touchdown with 12:52 remaining in the fourth quarter. The final score ended up being 41-35 and may have given the impression that the game was much closer than it was. What appeared to be a blow-for-blow matchup was actually Cal Berkeley’s inability to keep up with their prey and USC’s lack of defense.
“In my experience, you get to these things and nobody remembers how. You either find a way to win them or you don’t,” stated USC coach Lincoln Riley.
