WEEK 7, 2026
WAKE FOREST (4-2, 3-1) @ #15 CALIFORNIA (6-0, 3-0)
10/17/26 • 3:30 PM • 76° • 0% CHANCE OF RAIN
California Memorial Stadium • Berkeley, CA
BERKELEY, CA • For one quarter, Wake Forest looked like it might have a chance to spoil California's perfect start.
Then the second quarter happened.
No. 15 California erupted for 21 points in the second period, turning a tight game into a double-digit advantage and eventually holding off a late Wake Forest rally to defeat the Demon Deacons 34-14 Saturday at California Memorial Stadium.
The victory moves the Golden Bears to 7-0 on the season, keeping California unbeaten as the calendar moves deeper into the season.
California opened the scoring with a 32-yard field goal from Towns McGough, but Wake Forest answered with a 9-yard touchdown run from Jerrott Wiggins to take a 7-3 lead.
That would be the last time the Demon Deacons led.
The complexion of the game completely changed in the second quarter, when Wake Forest quarterback Gio Lopez left the game with an injury and didn't return on the day. California took advantage.
Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele found Dajuan McKinley for a 15-yard touchdown, putting Cal back in front. Shortly afterward, running back Adam Mohammed broke loose for a 69-yard touchdown run. Then, with just 17 seconds remaining in the half, Cal's defense delivered the knockout punch.
Kingston Lopa intercepted a Wake Forest pass and returned it 88 yards for a touchdown, giving California three touchdowns in the quarter and a commanding 24-7 halftime lead.
California added another McGough field goal in the third quarter, stretching the lead to 27-7.
But Wake Forest made its move in the fourth.
Backup quarterback Steele Pizzella helped the Demon Deacons put together a scoring drive that ended with Kamrean Johnson catching a 4-yard touchdown pass, cutting the deficit to 27-14 with plenty of time remaining.
Suddenly, what had looked like a blowout was a two-possession game.
Wake Forest had an opportunity to make things very interesting late, but California's defense held firm when it mattered most. The Golden Bears forced Wake into difficult situations and prevented the Demon Deacons from converting the drives they needed to complete the comeback.
They have now won seven consecutive games, and while this one wasn't as dominant as some of the victories that came before it, the way Cal responded to Wake Forest's fourth-quarter push may have been just as important.
They built a big lead. They watched it shrink. And when Wake Forest had a chance to make it a one-score game, California slammed the door.
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