Cal, San Diego State renew rivalry in Berkeley

California and San Diego State will meet for the first time in eight years in a non-conference contest Saturday night in Berkeley, Calif.

Both teams have injury concerns as Cal (2-0) seeks its first 3-0 start since 2019, while San Diego State (1-1) hopes to bounce back from a shutout home loss to Oregon State.

Cal has yet to get much from star running back Jaydn Ott, who injured his right ankle in the opener against U.C. Davis. He has been a part-time participant in both of Cal’s games, totaling just 60 yards on 24 carries. He has scored twice.

Ott is considered questionable for Saturday’s game, with the Golden Bears perhaps erring on the side of keeping him healthy for next week’s Atlantic Coast Conference opener at Florida State.

Jaivian Thomas led the Golden Bears in rushing with 53 yards in last week’s 21-14 upset win at Auburn. Cal did most of its offensive damage through the air, with Fernando Mendoza throwing for 233 yards and two touchdowns.

Cal coach Justin Wilcox began the season planning to split time between Mendoza and transfer Chandler Rogers, but Wilcox announced this week that no longer will be the case.

“Fernando will be our starting quarterback,” Wilcox declared. “Fernando has done a really good job. … Obviously last week, especially in the first half, was incredibly efficient. Still really bullish on that (quarterback) room. I think those guys are good football players and can help us win.”

This week, it’s San Diego State that brings quarterback uncertainty into the game, with freshman Danny O’Neil having injured his left knee in the first quarter of last week’s 21-0 loss to Oregon State.

O’Neil returned to the field for the Aztecs’ next possession with a brace on the knee, but finished just 11-of-24 passing for 107 yards.

First-year San Diego State coach Sean Lewis expects O’Neil to tough it out again this week, but hopes he’ll do a better job protecting himself.

“He is a relentless competitor,” Lewis praised. “He’s willing to sacrifice his own body. We’ve got to be smart about that. We talk about necessary hits versus unnecessary hits.”

San Diego State has been led offensively so far by running back Marquez Cooper, who has amassed 276 yards on 40 carries. He has two touchdowns.

The teams have split their eight all-time meetings, with the Aztecs winning the most recent game, 45-40 in San Diego in 2016.

-Field Level Media