Pitt is off to its best start since the 1991 season. The 5-0 Panthers will look to move to 6-0, and standing in their way are the Cal Golden Bears. This marks the first meeting between the two programs since 1966.
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FIRST QUARTER
Cal 6, Pitt 0 8:56
UC — Jaivian Thomas 21-yard run (pass failed)
After electing to receive, Pitt promptly went three-and-out on offense. The Cal Bears then marched 74 yards on 10 plays, capped off by a 21-yard touchdown run from backup tailback Jaivian Thomas. The Panthers yielded two third down conversions along the way. Pitt is without one of its better defenders today, as Rasheem Biles is not actice.
Pitt 7, Cal 6 5:08
UP — Desmond Reid 5-yard run (Sauls kick)
Pitt's second drive went much better than the first. The Panthers moved 74 yards on 11 plays, thanks in large part to two penalties on Cal: a 15-yard facemask, and an illegal hands to the face. Pitt also needed a fourth down conversion to keep the drive going, but eventually found pay dirt. It marked Reid's seventh overall touchdown this season, but only his second rushing of the year, and his first since the opener against Kent State.
SECOND QUARTER
Pitt 14, Cal 6 14:49
UP — Reid 72-yard run (Sauls kick)
Pitt's third possession of the game featured four running plays. The Panthers were stuffed for the most part on the first three plays, and faced a fourth and one to begin the second quarter. Pitt made the risky call to go for it from its own 28-yard line, but when you have one of the most explosive players in college football, it served as a calculated risk. Reid broke loose 72 yards for his longest rush of the season to increase Pitt's lead to 14-6. It also marked Pitt's longest run since Israel Abanikanda had an 80-yard run against Virginia Tech in 2022.
Pitt 17, Cal 6 10:04
UP — Sauls 58-yard kick
Pitt kicker Ben Sauls is arguably the best in the country. He just kicked a 58-yard field goal, which set his own personal record. The 58-yarder ties Alex Kessman for the longest in school history. It was also one yard off the Acrsiure Stadium record, held by current Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell. Sauls is 10 for 10 on his field goal attempts this season.
Pitt 17, Cal 9 5:57
UC — Ryan Coe 39-yard field goal
Cal has looked out of sorts since the first drive, but settled down a bit and got some points. the Golden Bears traveled 54 yards on nine plays, but the drive sputtered just outside of the red zone. Ryan Coe drilled a 39-yarder to bring Cal to within one score of Pitt. The Panthers offense will look to generate points on a fourth straight drive.
THIRD QUARTER
The two teams combined for zero points in the first period after halftime. For Pitt's part, it was a comedy of errors on offense. At one point, Pitt wasted starting field position on the Cal 31-yard line. Eli Holstein threw two interceptions in the quarter, including one in the end zone. For as poor as the offense was, the defense was dominant, and held Cal to negative yardage for the quarter. The Panthers recorded four sacks against Cal in the third, including a pair by sophomore defensive end Jimmy Scott.
FOURTH QUARTER
Pitt 17, Cal 15 10:30
UC — Jack Endries 19-yard pass from Fernando Mendoza (run failed)
Cal went for a two-point conversion on its first touchdown of the game, but did not convert it. That meant on this fourth quarter touchdown, the Bears had to go for two, and once again, did not convert. Pitt is clinging to a 17-15 fourth quarter lead and could really use its first points of the second half on this next drive. The Pitt defense was nearly perfect in the third quarter, but a few chunk plays to the tight end got this most recent drive kickstarted. Should be an interesting final ten minutes with an undefeated record on the line.
Final
Pitt 17, Cal 15
Pitt went scoreless in the second half, but found a way. Cal missed a go-ahead field goal, and got the ball back in the final seconds, but the Pitt defense held the Bears down to punctuate a very solid performance.
