Running back Gideon Davidson rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-sealing 75-yard score late in the fourth quarter, to lead Clemson to a 24-10 victory over California on Friday night before an announced crowd of 41,778 at California Memorial Stadium.
Wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. added a spark on special teams with a 65-yard punt return touchdown as the Tigers (3-1, 2-0 ACC) scored 24 of the game’s final 27 points to pull away from the Golden Bears (2-2, 1-1 ACC). Cornerback Elliot Washington II anchored Clemson’s defensive effort with two interceptions.
Explosive Plays Break Open Second-Half Tie
With the game tied 10-10 midway through the third quarter following a 30-yard field goal by Cal kicker Chase Meyer, Wesco delivered the game’s pivotal moment. Gathering a Cal punt at his own 35-yard line, Wesco broke through coverage for a 65-yard touchdown return to put Clemson ahead 17-10 with 3:57 remaining in the third frame.
California mounted a threat late in the fourth quarter, driving into Clemson territory before punter Angus Davies pinned the Tigers at their own 2-yard line with 5:30 left. Facing third-and-8 from the 25-yard line three plays later, Davidson burst through the line for a 75-yard touchdown run to extend Clemson’s cushion to 24-10 with 2:58 remaining.
Washington II intercepted Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele on the ensuing drive to crush any chance of a Golden Bear comeback.
Overcoming Early Mistakes
California struck first midway through the opening quarter via its defense. Golden Bears linebacker Aiden Manutai sacked Clemson quarterback Tait Reynolds and forced a fumble, which linebacker Kamar Mothudi recovered and returned 35 yards for a touchdown to give Cal a 7-0 lead.
Clemson responded with 10 unanswered points in the second quarter. Kicker Nolan Hauser got the Tigers on the board with a 30-yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter to cap an 11-play, 59-yard drive.
On its next possession, Clemson assembled a 17-play, 66-yard march that consumed 7:30. Converting two fourth-down attempts along the way, Davidson capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to give Clemson a 10-7 lead heading into halftime.
By the Numbers
Clemson outgained California 363-231 in total offensive yards, propelled by a dominant ground attack that produced 255 net rushing yards on 49 carries (5.2 yards per attempt). The Tigers also controlled the clock, holding a 34:07 to 25:53 advantage in time of possession and converting 7 of 15 third downs alongside a 2-for-2 mark on fourth down.
Reynolds finished 13-of-21 passing for 108 yards with one interception, adding 28 rushing yards on 11 attempts. Tyler Brown contributed 27 rushing yards on a reverse alongside three receptions for 29 yards.
Cal’s offense struggled to find consistency against Clemson’s front, producing just 86 rushing yards on 27 attempts. Sagapolutele completed 16 of 29 passes for 119 yards and two interceptions. Running back Adam Mohammed led the Golden Bears on the ground with 51 yards on 13 carries.
Defensively, Jerome Carter III, Corey Myrick, and Sammy Brown led Clemson with eight tackles apiece. Kingston Lopa and Isaiah Crosby each recorded 11 tackles for California.
