A pair of California Golden Bears football players made a strong impact in their first game with the team, helping secure a 34-15 win over Oregon State in the 2025 season opener. Tight ends Landon Morris and Mason Mini each caught touchdown passes, marking the first time in four seasons that two Cal tight ends have achieved this feat in the same game.
Mini’s touchdown came on a third-and-five play from the Oregon State 19-yard line during Cal’s opening drive. Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele scrambled to his left before finding Mini for a back-shoulder pass at the four-yard line. Mini then completed the play for his first collegiate touchdown.
“I have never felt anything like it,” Mini said. “It honestly just didn’t even feel real at first. I felt great.”
Morris scored on a routine play early in the second half, catching a pass wide open in the flat and entering the end zone untouched for a four-yard score that extended Cal’s lead to 24-3.
“That was amazing,” Morris said. “It was one of the best feelings in the world.”
Senior tight end Jeffrey Johnson also contributed with a career-long 20-yard catch and spoke about supporting his teammates’ success. “It’s a good way to start the year off for the room,” Johnson said. “We all celebrate each other’s success, so it’s great to see them succeed. Both of those guys work so hard and definitely earned those touchdowns.”
The paths that brought Mini and Morris to Berkeley were different. Mini, from Pacifica, California, began playing football only in ninth grade after being restricted by his parents. He played at Terra Nova High School before spending two seasons at Idaho and later entering the transfer portal. Initially verbally committed to Michigan State, he ultimately joined Cal just before spring semester began.
“He connected with me and asked if we were interested,” Cal tight ends coach Mike Saffell said. “We got really lucky for him to be right here in Pacifica and to want to be at Cal and be a part of this thing.”
“I’m close to home, so my family is definitely happy,” added Mini.
Mini expects more than 100 family members and friends will attend Saturday’s home opener against Texas Southern.
Morris’s journey has included stops at Syracuse, Utah, Temple—where he recorded 16 catches for 251 yards and one touchdown reception last season—and now Cal as a graduate transfer aiming for an NFL future.
Saffell expressed satisfaction with his group of tight ends: “We have a tight knit room,” Saffell said. “Once you build that culture, guys like being around each other.”
Mini and Morris are roommates during road games this season as they begin their time together with positive contributions on the field.
