Kingston Lopa returned an interception 24 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter at Syracuse, then intercepted another pass with 54 seconds left to secure California’s 21-18 win. His three interceptions also included a return that set up a 29-yard touchdown drive. Cal needed that help. Its offense gained just 249 yards and converted three of 13 third downs.
Wagner visits Saturday, September 19, at 12:30 p.m. Pacific on ACC Network. Cal has a 97% chance to win in the Fan Watch model, with Clemson coming to Berkeley on Friday, September 25, six days later. There’s no consequential outside result to pull for this week; settle in for the Bears. The interactive guide has the forecast, with the model explained in the methodology.
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele started at Syracuse after his opening-week ankle injury and stayed through the final kneel-downs, throwing two touchdowns without an interception. Fans got to watch him finish a win, though playing the full game does not mean the ankle was completely healed. After his two interceptions and lost fumble against UCLA, he stopped giving possessions away. Now Cal needs to keep those possessions alive.
Adam Mohammed ran for 74 yards on 19 carries at Syracuse, yet the Bears finished with only 67 net rushing yards. Cal still couldn’t build a dependable team running game around his carries. That concern reaches back to 2025, when the Bears averaged 275.9 passing yards and only 81.7 rushing yards per game. Watch whether Mohammed’s blockers open room on early downs, giving Sagapolutele third downs he can convert without having to throw for a huge gain.
Tosh Lupoi’s first Cal team has had plenty of introductions to make. The roster additions included 32 transfers, and the announced newcomer total reached 50 in February. Six of the February additions were offensive linemen. For those blockers, Saturday offers a chance to work together through a whole possession, open a running lane, protect the next pass, then do it again after a first down. Sustaining that work all the way to a touchdown would make the rebuilt offense easier to trust when Clemson arrives.
Lupoi returned to Cal as head coach after four seasons coordinating Oregon’s defense, so fans have reason to expect his team to win with tackling and pressure. After allowing 277 rushing yards against UCLA, the Bears held Syracuse to 118 and recorded three sacks, though the Orange still gained 436 total yards. Keeping runners contained and getting the quarterback on the ground are contributions to seek again; asking Lopa for another three-interception rescue is a much bigger request.
Wagner just allowed 290 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns at James Madison. Mohammed and his blockers should have room to make Saturday enjoyable, and Cal should be able to score from possessions that begin in its own territory. A productive afternoon against that defense would offer limited proof of broader progress; another afternoon of stalled drives would be harder to dismiss.