Cal Falls to Virginia Tech 42-34 in Double Overtime Thriller

UPDATE: In a heart-stopping finish, the Cal Bears fell to the Virginia Tech Hokies 42-34 in double overtime on October 27, 2023, missing a crucial opportunity to secure bowl eligibility. The game, played at the sold-out Lane Stadium, was a rollercoaster of emotions for fans and players alike.

The action intensified in overtime, with Cal’s Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele connecting with tight end Mason Mini for a 25-yard touchdown on the Bears’ first play. However, Virginia Tech’s Kyron Drones quickly responded, running 17 yards for a score to tie the game at 34-all.

In the second overtime, the Hokies took the lead with Drones throwing a 7-yard touchdown pass to Takye Heath and successfully converting a 2-point attempt, pushing their lead to 42-34. Cal’s final possession ended in disappointment as Sagapolutele threw four consecutive incompletions, sealing the Bears’ fate.

Cal’s record now stands at 5-3 overall and 2-2 in the ACC, shattering hopes of clinching bowl eligibility earlier than any season since 2006. They now face a challenging schedule ahead, beginning with a home game against No. 16 Virginia next Saturday.

The Hokies, now 3-5 and also 2-2 in the ACC, showcased their resilience after a rocky start to the season, having fired their head coach earlier in the year. Virginia Tech dominated the ground game, rushing for an impressive 357 yards while Cal struggled with just 39 yards on the ground.

Drones was a standout performer, rushing for 137 yards and scoring two touchdowns along with three touchdown passes. In contrast, Sagapolutele completed 24 of 39 passes for 285 yards, showing poise despite the loss.

Cal’s defense was led by linebacker Cade Uluave, who delivered a remarkable performance with 19 tackles, including three tackles for loss and two sacks. Despite trailing 10-0 early in the game, the Bears rallied to lead 20-10 at halftime before the Hokies surged back.

The back-and-forth battle saw Virginia Tech tie the game at 27-all late in the fourth quarter, forcing overtime after Cal’s Chase Meyer attempted a career-long 49-yard field goal as time expired.

As Cal heads into the final stretch of the season, fans are left wondering if they can regroup and secure the necessary wins to reach a bowl game. The stakes are higher than ever with the upcoming match against Virginia, and all eyes will be on the Bears as they seek to turn their season around.

This thrilling double-overtime clash is a reminder of the unpredictability of college football, where every game counts and every moment matters. Stay tuned for updates as Cal looks to bounce back in their next game!