Cameron Goode

2020 will largely be remembered for the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on college football, but there are still things for Cal fans to take away.

In the words of head coach Justin Wilcox, “Mid-thirties would be beautiful. We’ll maybe bring some long sleeves, potentially, maybe an extra pair of socks.”

It was Cal’s defense that held the line and produced the team’s first win of 2020, a 21-17 upset over No. 23 Oregon that ensured Cal’s fifth consecutive season with a win over a ranked team.

Although no fans were there to see it, this win may have been one of the most memorable and important for the program in years, proving that Cal can contend with the conference’s best even given unfavorable circumstances.

Turnovers proved to be the deciding factor in this year’s Big Game, with two of Stanford’s touchdowns coming swiftly after Cal mishaps.

Cal had multiple players honored by the Pac-12, but senior ILB Evan Weaver was the most notable mention, winning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.

Cal’s 2019 regular season curtain call was a smashing success, and the Bears are heading to a bowl game with a 7-5 record for the second straight season.

The reason for Ogunbanjo’s suspension was not specified. The true sophomore from Houston, Texas has competed in 16 games across the past two years, and has recorded seven tackles, a forced fumble and two quarterback hits in 2019.

Already peppered with injuries, Cal’s pieced-together starting lineup lost quarterback Chase Garbers after he was sidelined by a hard hit with just over a minute left in the first half.

A week after overcoming several key absences in a 28-20 win over Ole Miss, No. 15 Cal football kicked off its showdown against Arizona State without the services of several rotation players.