The Bears were led on the field by sophomore quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, a
junior college transfer who became the starter on September 20 against
Illinois.[3] In his second start the following week, Rodgers led Cal to a 21–7 halftime lead over third-ranked
USC before being replaced due to injury in the second half by Reggie Robertson.[4] The Bears won in triple
overtime, 34–31.[5][6] In late December, Cal defeated
Virginia Tech 52–49 in the
Insight Bowl at
Phoenix; Rodgers passed for 394 yards and was the game's offensive MVP.
[7]
Rodgers tied Cal's season record with five 300-yard games and set a Cal record for the lowest percentage of passes intercepted at 1.43%.[8] The Golden Bears' statistical leaders included Rodgers with 2,903 passing yards,
Adimchinobe Echemandu with 1,195 rushing yards, and Geoff McArthur with 1,504 receiving yards.[9]
Jonathan Makonnen 20 yard pass from Reggie Robertson (Tyler Frederickson kick)
CAL 31-24
2OT
USC
Keary Colbert 10 yard pass from Matt Leinart (Ryan Killeen kick)
Tied 31-31
3OT
CAL
Tyler Frederickson 38 yard field goal
CAL 34-31
"They always take us lightly", said receiver Jonathan Makonnen, who had seven catches for 104 yards. "They really don't respect us. They're a talented team, but they were kind of lackadaisical out there."
"I'm not knocking Leinart or their running backs, but I didn't see a whole lot of firepower from them", said Echemandu, the first player to rush for 100 yards against USC in 16 games. "Mike Williams is basically their whole offense."
The Bears were led on the field by sophomore quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, a
junior college transfer who became the starter on September 20 against
Illinois.[3] In his second start the following week, Rodgers led Cal to a 21–7 halftime lead over third-ranked
USC before being replaced due to injury in the second half by Reggie Robertson.[4] The Bears won in triple
overtime, 34–31.[5][6] In late December, Cal defeated
Virginia Tech 52–49 in the
Insight Bowl at
Phoenix; Rodgers passed for 394 yards and was the game's offensive MVP.
[7]
Rodgers tied Cal's season record with five 300-yard games and set a Cal record for the lowest percentage of passes intercepted at 1.43%.[8] The Golden Bears' statistical leaders included Rodgers with 2,903 passing yards,
Adimchinobe Echemandu with 1,195 rushing yards, and Geoff McArthur with 1,504 receiving yards.[9]
Jonathan Makonnen 20 yard pass from Reggie Robertson (Tyler Frederickson kick)
CAL 31-24
2OT
USC
Keary Colbert 10 yard pass from Matt Leinart (Ryan Killeen kick)
Tied 31-31
3OT
CAL
Tyler Frederickson 38 yard field goal
CAL 34-31
"They always take us lightly", said receiver Jonathan Makonnen, who had seven catches for 104 yards. "They really don't respect us. They're a talented team, but they were kind of lackadaisical out there."
"I'm not knocking Leinart or their running backs, but I didn't see a whole lot of firepower from them", said Echemandu, the first player to rush for 100 yards against USC in 16 games. "Mike Williams is basically their whole offense."