Five Forced Turnovers Lead Bears to Upset Win at Auburn

AUBURN, ALABAMA - The Bears took advantage of a 5-turnover advantage to come away with a big road win in the heart of SEC territory over 14-point favorite Auburn (1-1), 21-14. 

The defense led the way in the upset win and MLB Teddye Buchanan‍ (11 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks and one forced fumble) and cornerback Nohl Williams who had 2 key interceptions along with a third that was called back on penalty that could’ve iced the game.

On offense, QB Fernando Mendoza was stellar, going 25-for-36 with 2 TDs and no interceptions or turnovers. He also had 22 yards in 4 carries on the ground.

“It creates confidence and validates all the work you put in, all the work in the offseason and fall camp,” Cal head coach Justin Wilcox said after the game.

The game looked to get off to an auspicious start for the Bears when MLB Cade Uluave grabbed what initially looked like a fumbled shuttle pass to Auburn to Auburn star RB Jarquez Hunter on the second play of the game for what looked like a Cal scoop and score TD but the pass was ruled incomplete before Uluave secured the ball, with the Tigers retaining the ball.

Auburn took advantage of their new life on the drive as QB Payton Thorne drove the Tigers 75 yards in 8 plays to strike first, hitting big completions to frosh WR sensation Cam Coleman for 45 yards and a controversial 15-yard TD pass to receiver KeAndre Smith, who was initially ruled but was overruled but another official and credited by reestablishing position inbounds after being forced out by the defender. After the Towns McGough extra point, Auburn led 7-0 three minutes into the game.

The Bears quickly countered, with QB Fernando Mendoza leading the Bears on their own 75-yard scoring drive with the key plays coming on a 25-yard completion to WR Jonathan Brady and a back-shoulder TD pass to redshirt frosh receiver Nyziah Hunter for a 15-yard reception to draw even at 7 after the Ryan Coe extra point. After struggling to control the ball in the first half in their opener, the Bears 8-play TD drive was music to the Cal staff’s ears.

After coming up with a big stop on 4th-and-2 at midfield, the Bears had the chance to make Auburn pay but were unable to convert a short 25-yard field goal after Coe hit the upright on the kick with the ball glancing off the upright on the attempt.

The Bears’ defense stepped up big right away with cornerback Nohl Williams picked off a ball off the outstretched arms of Coleman, returning the ball back 14 yards to the Tiger 21. Three plays later, Mendoza hit Hunter with his second TD of the game on a 13-yard reception in the corner of the end zone to grab a 14-7 lead with 10:39 left in the half - a lead they’d take into the locker room. Williams’ interception was his ninth career INT and fourth as a Bear.

In a reversal of last week, the Bears dominated time of possession, 20:32 to just 9:28 for Auburn, doubling up the Tigers on third down conversions, 12 to 6.

The third quarter was dominated by defense with neither team able to score in their three possessions. The quarter ended on the Bears’ second interception of the game, with OLB Ryan McCulloch forcing a wobbly Thorne pass after a hit and nickel back Jair Smith‍ picked off the errant pass at the Tiger 48 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Bears were unable to capitalize on the turnover as Coe missed his second field goal attempt of the day, this one from 55. The ball had the distance but missed wide right.

After the Tigers took over at the 37, MLB Teddye Buchanan‍ forced a fumble on RB Hunter, with safety Craig Woodson coming up with the ball at the Auburn 36. Two plays later, running back Jaivian Hunter burst off tackle for a 32-yard touchdown run to give the Bears a 21-7 with 11:27 left in the game.

The Tigers got a pair of gifts on the next drive, with a targeting call on cornerback Marcus Harris on a play where he clearly led with his shoulder to give Auburn the ball at the Cal. Six plays later, Williams seemed to secure an INT in the end zone but was whistled for pass interference with clearly negligible contact. The Tigers took advantage of the gift, taking over at the 2. QB Thorne ran it in on the next play to draw the Tigers closer at 21-14 with 6:06 remaining in the game.

Auburn had two more chances to tie or win the game in regulation but Williams came up with his third interception of the game on the next possession and on their last possession with 28 seconds left, Thorne’s first pass was again intercepted, this time by cornerback Lu-Magia Hearns. The pick was the final nail in the coffin for the 14-point favorites at home.