Zach Maynard will get a lot of pub for his efficient offense, but the California Golden Bears defense was the real story. Cal's defense brutalized the Utah Utes offense and their young quarterback Jon Hays (in for the injured starter Jordan Wynn, out for the season), in addition to totally shutting down Utah's rushing attack, managing only 13 rushing yards.
Utah had 58 yards of total offense in the first three quarters, falling into a 34-0 hole before getting two garbage-time scores in the fourth. John White compiled 39 rushing yards, but only two of those yards came in the first three quarters. Cal racked up 11 tackles for loss and sacked Hays four times, with David Wilkerson leading the way (1.5), and Trevor Guyton (one sack), and Ernest Owusu, D.J. Campbell and Chris McCain (0.5 sacks each) all getting in on the pass rush.
Cal also took advantage of the turnovers by Hays, as he threw three interceptions (one each to Josh Hill, Stefan McClure, and Mychal Kendricks, with Hill returning his pick for six) and also fumbled the ball once as Aaron Tipoti stripped it and D.J. Campbell recovered it. Cal turned those turnovers into 17 points that turned a victory into a rout. If the Cal defense can play like this down the stretch, they can definitely win a lot of games down the stretch.
To talk Cal football, head to the California Golden Blogs. To talk Utah football, head to Block U.