Ruiz Report: JKS Returned to Near-Normalcy in Loss to SMU

I already said Cal fans deserve better. 

So after the Golden Bears’ (3-5) disastrous loss to No. 23 Southern Methodist, let’s look at something less blue … and more gold.

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele had a solid Saturday in Dallas. 

Was the quarterback elite? Probably not by strict measures. But he looked closer to the left-hander who became Berkeley royalty a season ago than the struggling sophomore who was oddly sidelined until late in the third quarter last week against Wake Forest.

The 59-20 loss to the Mustangs marked the first full game that Sagapolutele, coming off a fortnight of concussion protocol, played in new offensive coordinator Pat McCann’s system, after the Hawaii native’s previous six starts came in first-time play-caller Jordan Somerville scheme.

And, well, Sagapolutele looked refreshed.

He finished 27 of 37 passing for 265 yards and one touchdown against SMU. 

Sagapolutele had a nice 36-yard completion to wideout Ian Strong, setting the tone early, and did a good job of spreading the field with limited options.

One of Sagapolutele's passes literally went to safety Kingston Lopa, who had an 11-yard catch-and-run for his first career reception.

Sagapolutele praised McCann and his approach and acknowledged the new play-caller’s belief in him.

"Coach Pat, he came in with a great game plan,” Sagapolutele said. “The one thing I really love is him telling me to trust myself. Be me. He believes that I can make plays [and] had full faith in me. I really love Coach Pat. …”

Now, like the Golden Bears as a whole, the quarterback did most of his damage in the first half.

Sagapolutele completed 19 of 23 passes for 214 yards and his one score after two quarters, throwing for just 51 yards in the nightmare second half in which Cal was outscored 42-0.

“We came out with an aggressive mindset,” Sagapolutele said. “But I think [the Mustangs] really adjusted well, getting out of the one-high stuff and going more to two-high variations. Getting depth and making us throw the short game [and] throw the quick game. Playing the sticks. I think they played that really well.

“We just have to continue to get better, and that starts with me …”

Sagapolutele wasn’t perfect.

The Ewa Beach product himself mentioned needing to improve his pocket presence, citing “bad sacks” he took in the second half.

But if Sagapolutele was anything, he was better. And given how much of a nightmare Cal’s season has been, that means something.

“God never promised there wouldn't be a storm,” Sagapolutele said. “He promised that he'd be with you the whole way through it.”

Before Saturday, Sagapolutele only surpassed 200 passing yards against non-Wagner teams once this season: against UCLA in Week 1. Yet as a freshman, Sagapolutele didn’t have a game with fewer than 200 passing yards.

Sagapolutele is a Golden Bear right now, likely with a bright NFL future. He took a step toward reaching primetime in an abysmal game.

All this to say: a win is a win for Cal in 2026.

Additionally, Sagapolutele's play and comments remain key to how Cal is perceived nationally and locally; he thrived in both areas.

Coach Tosh Lupoi has made questionable comments during his press conferences, especially lately. Sagapolutele, however, said the right things during his first media availability in weeks.

“I want to play my heart out for Coach Tosh,” Sagapolutele said. “I'm gonna continue to keep fighting for these boys and fighting for our coaches.”

Messaging hasn’t led to wins for Cal thus far. It still matters, though.

The Golden Bears’ season has felt far more hopeless than hopeful through eight games, a hard truth to accept given the team’s offseason expectations. And Sagapolutele, like Somerville and the rest of the hyped-up offense, has played a major hand in the team’s shortcomings.

But based on Sagapolutele’s play against SMU and ensuing comments, Cal’s QB1 is still trying to put his best on film — even with plenty to learn and improve.

“The locker room vibe … we're just gonna continue to keep everyone up,” Sagapolutele said. “We’re just excited to continue those good things that we did and learn … a lot of growth moments for sure. We're just gonna attack the film as much as we can [and] work out as hard as we can. And back to the drawing board next week, especially in practice.

“Continue that intensity that we had in that first half; just continue to build on it and move forward. Twenty-four-hour rule … come tomorrow, just flush it and move on.”

Working is all Sagapolutele and the Golden Bears can do as the victories aren’t stacking up.

So, I tip my cap to the 20-year-old for showing up in the Lone Star State.

“There's always light at the end of the road,” Sagapolutele said.

As they say in Berkeley: Fiat Lux.