BERKELEY, Calif. — At halftime Arizona leads 19-14 over California in what has been a sloppy game for both schools.
Costly penalties on defense and inconsistent offensive tempos have brought us a low scoring, defensive battle in Berkeley, Calif.
California began the game with a 7-0 lead after going 80 yards for a touchdown on the game’s opening drive. The touchdown advantage for the Golden Bears was their first lead at any point since its 37-30 win over Portland State on Sept. 7.
The lead was short lived as the Wildcats quickly matched Cal’s touchdown with a 73-yard touchdown drive of their own on the following possession.
UA defensive pressure picked up following the California touchdown and forced freshman Golden Bears’ quarterback Jared Goff into making difficult deep throws.
However, Arizona’s offense was not able to match and put together consistent drives. At the half, the UA’s offense is just 1-for-8 on third down.
The Wildcats’ defense helped out the offense towards the end of the first quarter with a safety to give UA a 9-7 lead.
The safety came directly after the UA offense failed to convert on fourth down along the Cal goal line.
A 53-yard field goal by Arizona senior kicker Jake Smith increased the lead. The made field goal is the farthest by a Wildcat since Nick Folk also converted a 53-yard field goal in 2004.
Four minutes following the field goal, Arizona scored another touchdown. Quarterback B.J. Denker hit freshman receiver Nate Phillips for a 21-yard touchdown pass and gave the Wildcats a 19-7 lead.
As the half progressed, the Wildcats’ defensive pressure continued on Goff. On the next five possessions following the opening touchdown he completed only one of his next ten pass attempts.
With long pass plays failing, the Golden Bears attempted more runs and short quick passes. The change improved the Cal offense and helped them string together a late touchdown drive to bring them within five.
Goff finished the half 15-29 for 132 passing yards. The freshman averages 324 per game.
Notable Arizona halftime stats:
-Running back Ka’Deem Carey has 104 -yards on 18 carries. He entered today’s game just 80 yards shy of 1,000 on the season.
– Denker is 18-for-28 for 168 passing yards and one passing touchdown.. He has -2 yards rushing but one rushing touchdown.
-Receiver Samajie Grant has seven receptions for 61 receiving yards. His seven receptions at the half surpass his career game high of six, which he did twice (at USC and at Colorado).
– Safety Jared Tevis has five tackles, four of which are solo tackles and one forced fumble.
—Follow Luke Della @LukeDella
