The California Golden Bears football team is set to play its first home game of the 2025 season this Saturday at California Memorial Stadium, facing the Texas Southern Tigers. The game will begin at 3 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra and ESPN+.
This matchup marks the first meeting between Cal and Texas Southern in football. It is also the first time since 2015 that Cal has played a game against a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). That year, Cal defeated Grambling State 73-14 in its season opener. As part of Saturday’s events, Cal will celebrate Black Culture Appreciation Day and host a halftime performance by the TSU “Ocean of Soul” marching band.
Cal enters its 102nd season at California Memorial Stadium and has won two of its last three home openers in Berkeley. In their season opener last weekend, the Bears defeated Oregon State 34-15, with 32 players making their debuts for Cal. The team scored three touchdowns on four red zone trips, improving on last year’s rate of scoring touchdowns on just over half of their red zone opportunities. Notably, Cal did not allow any sacks during the game against Oregon State, ending a streak of five games with at least three sacks allowed per contest.
True freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele made an impact in his collegiate debut, completing 20-of-30 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns without any interceptions or sacks. His performance earned him several honors: ACC Rookie of the Week, On3 True Freshman of the Week, and PFF Quarterback of the Week. Sagapolutele is only the second true freshman to start as quarterback for Cal in a season opener since Jared Goff did so in 2013 before being selected as the top pick in the NFL Draft in 2016. During his high school career at Campbell High School in Hawaii, Sagapolutele set a state record with over 10,000 passing yards.
Wide receiver Trond Grizzell surpassed 1,000 career receiving yards during last week’s win over Oregon State. Grizzell led all receivers with five catches for 83 yards and one touchdown—the seventh of his career—since he began recording statistics as a redshirt-sophomore in 2023.
On defense, Cal’s secondary continued to perform well despite losing three starting defensive backs to this year’s NFL Draft. Transfer Hezekiah Masses recorded an interception return for 41 yards and two pass breakups in his debut for Cal; Brent “Paco” Austin forced his first career fumble; Isaiah Crosby led with five solo tackles and six total tackles while also registering his first pass breakup at Cal. Over the past six seasons, nine defensive backs from Cal have been drafted into the NFL.
Two tight ends contributed touchdown receptions against Oregon State: Mason Mini caught his first career touchdown pass while Landon Morris had his first score at Cal and second overall. This was the first time since October 2021 that two tight ends scored touchdowns for Cal in one game.
Junior inside linebacker Cade Uluave served as captain for the defense and led all players with ten tackles—including two-and-a-half tackles for loss—which ranks him among conference leaders after week one. Uluave received All-ACC Honorable Mention recognition last season.
For updates on California Golden Bears football throughout the season, fans can follow @CalFootball or @CalFootballPR on X (formerly Twitter) or @cal_football on Instagram.
