Freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw for three touchdowns to lead California to a 34-15 victory over Oregon State on Saturday in Corvallis, Ore.
It was the season opener for both teams.
Sagapolutele, who completed 20 of 30 passes for 224 yards, was the first Bears’ quarterback to start a season opener as a true freshman since Jared Goff in 2013.
Goff threw for 450 yards and two touchdowns in his debut, a 44-30 setback to Northwestern. He went on to become the top overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Trond Grizzell recorded five catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. Mason Mini and tight end Landon Morris also reeled in a scoring strike for Cal.
Duke transfer Maalik Murphy completed 21 of 33 passes for 244 yards with an interception for the Beavers. He also rushed for a touchdown and Trent Walker had nine catches for 136 yards.
The Bears limited Oregon State’s rushing attack to just 65 yards on 27 carries.
Cal got the early jump on its former Pac-12 rival as Sagapolutele connected with Grizzell on a 35-yard reception on an opening drive. Sagapolutele found Mini three plays later for a 19-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring.
Grizzell reeled in a 32-yard touchdown pass to give Cal a 14-0 lead with 7:56 remaining in the first quarter.
The teams exchanged long field goals in the second quarter before Sagapolutele capped a four-play opening drive in the third with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Morris.
A 2-yard run from the Beavers’ Anthony Hankerson’s finished off an 11-play, 84-yard drive to close the deficit to 24-9, however Oregon State was unable to successfully complete the two-point conversion.
Hezekiah Masses returned an interception to the 2-yard line to set up a touchdown run by Brandon High Jr. early in the fourth quarter. High had 10 carries for 41 yards while Kendrick Raphael had nine for 37 for the Bears.
