Clemson secured a 24-10 victory over the Cal Bears, driven by a powerful rushing attack and a critical special teams play. The game was marred by a knee injury to Cal running back Adam Mohammed, who exited the contest during the third quarter.
Adam Mohammed’s knee injury and the loss of Cal's ground game
The game's complexion changed when Adam Mohammed sustained a left-knee injury during the third quarter,specifically with 12:31 left on the clock. According to the report, Mohammed had accumulated 51 rushing yards and 30 receiving yards prior to his departure. While Cal head coach Tosh Lupoi expressed hope that the player would be alright, no formal medical update was provided following the contest.
The first offensive touchdown drought at home since 2018
Cal's offense struggled against Clemson, marking the first time since 2018 that the Bears failed to produce an offensive touchdown during a home contest. As the report states, the Cal offnse managed only 93 yards of total yardage throughout the first half, a period in which they were held scoreless. Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele ednured a difficult outing, finishing with 119 passing yards on 16-of-29 attempts. This performance marked his lowest first-half passing yardage since 2021, when Ryan Glover recorded 40 yards against Arizona.
Gideon Davidson’s 159-yard performance and Clemson's special teams spark
Clemson's victory was anchored by running back Gideon Davidson, who recorded 159 yards on the ground and two scores. A 75-yard touchdown dash by Davidson in the final minutes of the fourth quarter effectively sealed the 24-10 win for the Tigers. This offensive surge was complemented by a massive special teams play where Clemson's Bryant Wesco Jr . returned an Angus Davies punt 65 yards for a score. earlier in the game, Cal's Kamar Mothudi provided a spark by returning a Tait Reynolds fumble 35 yards for a touchdown, though the Bears could not capitalize on the momentum.
What the 5% ACC title probability means for Tosh Lupoi
The loss has significant implications for the trajectory of Cal’s season under first-year coach Tosh Lupoi, with the team's ACC title chances dropping to approximately 5%.. furthermore, the Bears' probability of reaching a bowl game has fallen to 40%. While the game was viewed as a pivotal moment for Cal's 2026 season, the inability to defeat a Clemson team led by freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds suggests the Bears are still far from being a championship contender.
The status of missing starters like Nate Burrell and Carter Vargas
The report notes that several questions remain regarding the health and availability of the Cal roster. While the status of Adam Mohammed’s knee is the most pressing concern, other key players such as Nate Burrell, Carter Vargas, and Corian Gipson were unable to participate in the game. It remains unverified whether these absences were due to injury or other factors, and the availability of defensive lineman Devarrick Woods also remains a point of uncertainty for the Bears' upcoming schedule.
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