What to know before Cal faces No. 24 UNLV in the LA Bowl
Cal will be without QB Fernando Mendoza, and UNLV will have an interim coach after Barry Odom left the program.
Records: Cal 6-6, 2-6 ACC; UNLV 10-3, 6-1 Mountain West
Kickoff: 6 p.m. PT at SoFi Stadium
TV: ESPN
Radio: 810 AM
Series history: Cal has only once faced the Rebels in program history, winning 20-14 on Sept. 10, 2022. In his second game as a freshman, Jaydn Ott scored both Bears touchdowns in the win. Cal is scheduled to visit UNLV in 2026 in the return game.
Cal storylines: The Bears won’t have star quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who entered the transfer portal last week. CJ Harris and EJ Caminong have split time in practice after Chandler Rogers was injured in the season-ending loss to SMU … Even beyond quarterback, the offense is a bit of a mystery as coach Justin Wilcox let Mike Bloesch go as coordinator and former Auburn coach Bryan Harsin was hired. Wilcox says offensive playcalling will be “a collaborative effort.” … Cornerback Nohl Williams, who leads the nation in interceptions (7), will be playing his former team, as he transferred from UNLV after the 2022 season.
UNLV storylines: The Rebels will not be coached by Barry Odom, who agreed Dec. 8 to become Purdue’s new coach after leading UNLV to its first-ever national ranking. Wide receivers coach Del Alexander will lead UNLV for this game before former Florida coach Dan Mullen, whose hire was announced last week, takes over the program. … UNLV will also be without offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, who will not coach tonight. Marion, a former JC player at Foothill and De Anza, is a finalist for the Sacramento State head coaching job, according to the Sacramento Bee. … Running back Greg Burrell and defensive back Tony Grimes have entered the transfer portal, but committed to playing in the game, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Senior receiver Ricky White III, a likely NFL Draft pick, was also seen practicing with the team.
Stats that matter: The Bears may need to rely on their untested passers as UNLV allowed only 109.8 rush yards per game, No. 17 nationally. The Rebels are No. 105 in pass defense (241.2 yards per game). … Cal has 22 takeaways this season, good for 16th in FBS, but has none over its last three games.
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