Key takeaways

Cal came out firing only to burn out

After a disastrous performance down in San Diego and a nail-biting game in Chestnut Hill last week, the Bears looked reborn when they charged into Memorial Stadium.

2 drives in, Cal already held a 14-0 lead. True freshman signal caller Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele commanded the offense with a steady hand and precise throws. The offense moved swiftly and the defense stood firm — until it didn’t. But for those 12 minutes, Cal bathed in its short-lived glory. 

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is still a little too green

The true freshman came out looking like a veteran, but the facade began to crack after a few rookie mistakes.

Sagapolutele opened 10-11 for 122 yards after the first two scoring drives. Multiple deep passes up the middle showed why he was Hawaii’s No. 1 recruit. 

But his inexperience and ambition soon corrupted his playmaking decisions.

Intending to hit wide receiver Jacob De Jesus deep left, Sagapolutele was overeager as he sent the ball into 2-1 coverage. Blue Devil Andrew Pellicciotta capitalized and intercepted the pass for a 45-yard return. Another errant throw skirted De Jesus entirely and flew straight into Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers’ gloves with 10:07 remaining in the third period.

Sagapolutele would never recover. 

Time to sack the o-line?

Just when Sagapolutele needed strong protection to boost his confidence most, the offensive line allowed back-to-back sacks for a total loss of 15 yards in the second frame. Minutes later, another 15-yard sack forced Cal to punt.

The Blue Devils wouldn’t slow down. Held to 7 points until midway through the second, they then relentlessly battered the defense for three consecutive touchdowns. 

To some degree, a quarterback can only perform as well as his protection allows. The inconsistent blocking and the erratic passing went hand-in-hand.

Cal’s game MVP

In the face of floundering overall play, Kendrick Raphael stayed the course.

Cal’s most dependable rusher, the NC State transfer gained 67 yards over 18 carries. His 29-yard rush was his second-longest run this season as he continues to earn more playing time in the Bears’ lineup.

Rush after rush, Raphael edged deeper into the Blue Devils’ territory. The running back put up 14 of the Bears’ 21 points for his first double-touchdown performance with the team.

Delivering Cal’s third and final touchdown, wide receiver Jordan King also deserves an honorable mention. Along with his second touchdown for the Bears — his first coming against Minnesota — the redshirt junior grabbed his longest reception of 22 yards.

Eye-opening stats

Cal’s offensive line allowed a season-high six sacks.

Frazzled or not, Sagapolutele cannot be expected to deliver a show-stopping performance if he isn’t safe in the pocket.

No second-half surge came to Sagapolutele’s aid. With more than seven minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Blue Devils once again sacked the rookie twice in a row for a total of 8 yards — this time sending him back to Cal’s 9-yard line and forcing another punt.

Looking ahead

After back-to-back matchups in Week 5 and 6, Cal will enjoy a brief reprieve. Following a bye week, the Bears will take the field again at Memorial Stadium against another North Carolina opponent Oct. 17 — Bill Belichick’s UNC Tar Heels.

The first Friday night lights game offers Cal a chance to reclaim a winning ACC record. But the ultimate question is which version of the blue and gold will take the field.