NDL: S30W6 - California (21) at Miami (35)
Canes Cash In On Bears' Butterfingers
Article By: Cal quarterback Chandler Rogers lost three fumbles, one of which was returned for a touchdown, as the turnover bug bit the Bears hard en route to a 35-21 loss to Miami on Friday night.
Miami gained just 278 yards but scored five touchdowns as they jumped out to a 28-7 lead at halftime. After marching down the field on their opening drive, the Canes got a second touchdown when Rogers fumbled the ball inside the redzone and Tyler Baron returned it 79 yards for a score.
Rogers would fumble two more times before the half, the last of which came inside the 10 yard line with less than 20 seconds to go. It killed their hopes of cutting the lead down and getting back into the game, and was compounded by another fumble deep in Miami territory on their opening drive of the second half.
"I have no words for what I just saw," Coach JasonUK said after the game. "I've been around this game a long time and am not sure I've seen the ball just pop out without big hits or anything like that." He acknowledged the first and last fumbles were due to a bad decision and a big hit, but the other two left him scratching his head.
Cam Ward tore Cal's defense apart, completing all 13 of his throws on the day. Luckily for the Bears, two of those completions went to defenders which kept Cal in the game a bit longer.
Jaydn Ott was once again the hero of the day, with 151 yards of total offense and both a rushing and receiving touchdown. Cal moved the ball well, racking up 21 first downs and converting on all four 4th-down attempts, but they dug themselves far too big a hole early on.
Even with the turnovers, Coach JasonUK wasn't sure his team would've been able to win. "Coach Dealer had a terrific gameplan and Cam Ward is a monster. He was throwing some absolute strikes out there and we had no answer for him."
Cal now prepares for an NDL Cup game with Arizona State before playing Florida State and then hitting the bye week.
Damien Martinez celebrates after a 2n quarter touchdownMiami takes advantage of fumbles
Article By: Miami would have their first ACC Conference game at home here in Week 6. The Canes were hoping to stretch their win streak to 4 in a row. Miami would get off to a nice start as on their opening possession Cam Ward would find Jacolby George for a 45 yard score and a 7-0 lead. The Canes defense would come to play today. In the first quarter they would force Cal into a couple punts. Miami would look to take an early advantage Ward would be picked off giving the ball back to Cal. Cal would put together a nice drive but Miami would get a sack, fumble recovery and return by Tyler Baron for a 79 yard scoop and score to go up 14-0. Jaydn Ott would cause a lot of fits for the Canes defense as he was hard to stop. He would score on 16 yard reception to cut the lead to 14-7. Miami would capitalize late in the 2nd quarter. Damien Martinez would score from 4 yards out and then the Miami defense would cause another fumble this time leading to a Ward to Ray Joseph 17 yard TD reception and a 28-7 advantage. "The defense came out and got some big plays in the first half," said Coach Dealer, "getting the big turnovers deep in our own territory really helped switch some of the momentum that Cal could have got."
The second half did not have too much action. Both teams would score a couple touchdowns in the 4th quarter, with Cal scoring two to bring the final to 35-21. "Our defense forcing 4 fumbles and recovery all 4 of them was the story of this game," said Coach Dealer. "If Cal is able to turn those possessions into points this would have been a really different game."
Miami will be on Bye in Week 7. But will welcome the Louisville Cardinals to Miami in Week 8.
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