Auburn fans weren’t expecting another repeat of last week’s 73-3 drubbing of Alabama A&M, but there was reason for optimism heading into Sunday’s home game against Cal. Favored by over 10 points on DraftKings Sportsbook the Tigers hoped to continue a stellar start to the season with a win against a Power-4 opponent.
Looking to build off of its first bowl appearance in over four years, Cal kicked off the season with a solid 31-13 win over UC Davis in Berkley last Saturday. On the road against an SEC opponent, the Golden Bears entered as +325 underdogs on the moneyline, with the game total set at 54 points.
Up and Down First Half
Unlike last season’s 14-10 slugfest on the west coast, both teams got on the board early.
Auburn’s opening drive of the game saw Payton Thorne connect with KeAndre Lambert-Smith on an impressive touchdown grab to take a 7-0 lead. It was Lambert-Smith’s third touchdown in less than five quarters of play this season.
Cal responded with a touchdown drive of its own, with Fernando Mendoza finding Nyziah Hunter in the back of the end zone to tie the game.
The offensive success wouldn’t continue for either team. The Golden Bears opened the second quarter with a missed 25-yard field goal attempt by kicker Ryan Coe, while Thorne was picked off by Nohl Williams on the very next play of the game.
With Williams’ interception placing the ball at the 20, Cal took advantage. Mendoza found Hunter in the end zone for the receiver’s second touchdown of the game, making the score 14-7.
Before the end of the half, Auburn drove 45 yards in less than a minute to set up a 61-yard Towns McGough field-goal attempt. Unfortunately for the Tigers, the freshman’s kick didn’t have enough distance, and the score remained 14-7.
Time of possession favored Cal 20:32 to 9:28 in the first half, with Auburn generating just 178 total yards.
Sloppy Second Half Dooms War Eagle
On its first three drives of the second half, Auburn generated just 43 total yards against a stingy Cal secondary. This included another Thorne interception, with Ja’ir Smith coming up with the turnover at midfield.
Fortunately for the Tigers, Cal failed to capitalize. Following a meager 10-yard drive to start the fourth quarter, Coe missed his second field goal of the day, this time on a 55-yard attempt. Just two plays later, Jarquez Hunter fumbled, with Craig Woodson recovering the ball in Auburn territory.
This time, the Golden Bears took advantage of Auburn’s repeated mistakes. Jaivian Thomas found daylight, rushing 32 yards for a score to put Cal up 21-7.
Auburn finally answered back on its next drive, capping off a 75-yard drive with a two-yard keeper from Thorne to make the score 21-14. Following an awkward sideline play that briefly forced Fernando Mendoza out of the game, Cal punted to give War Eagle a chance to tie the game.
With just three minutes to go, Auburn’s offense crumbled once again. Nohl Williams snagged another interception, Thorne’s third of the game, to set Cal up near midfield.
Despite the continued errors, Cal failed to put the Tigers away, this time punting the ball back with under two minutes remaining. With the pressure on, Auburn sputtered one last time. Thorne threw his fourth interception of the game, this time to Lu-Magia Hearns III, sealing a 21-14 win for Cal.
Stats and Takeaways
Although Mendoza and the offense made some big plays, Cal’s defense proved to be the difference in this one. Linebacker Teddye Buchanan was a standout, recording 11 tackles, two sacks, and three tackles for loss. As a unit, the Golden Bears allowed just 165 passing yards to go along with five turnovers.
The victory, Cal’s first against an SEC opponent since 2019, sets the school up nicely weeks before the start of ACC play. Head coach Justin Wilcox’s crew will look to keep the good times rolling when they host San Diego State next weekend. Prior to Saturday’s win, Cal’s odds of winning the ACC were at +7500 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
For Auburn, an upset loss at home will sting for one of the nation’s most passionate fanbases. Questions about Thorne’s ability at quarterback are sure to arise following his disastrous game, but the rest of the Tigers offense did him few favors, as no player garnered more than two catches, while Jarquez Hunter’s fumble set up a crucial Cal touchdown in the fourth quarter.
After a mediocre debut season last year for head coach Hugh Freeze, the pressure will be on the Tigers to rebound heading into a daunting SEC schedule. DraftKings Sportsbook set the Tigers preseason win total at just 6.5 games, and Saturday’s result does little to help the over.
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