How much did Saturday’s win over Stanford mean to Cal’s football team? Judging by quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s postgame interview, an awful lot.
The Bears trailed 14-0 after the first quarter and were 21-10 going into the fourth quarter. But in that fourth quarter, Mendoza threw two touchdown passes to Jonathan Brady to give his team the lead. The Cal defense then forced a turnover on downs, sealing the win. After the game, Mendoza had an emotional interview with sideline reporter Morgan Uber.
“First of all, I want to give all the glory to God,” the quarterback said, fighting back tears. “That was an amazing comeback. It’s a testament to how tough we are as a team. I love my boys. It’s amazing. I’m so proud of everyone on this team. We’re 6-6, we’re bowl-bound and we retained the Axe. Go Bears forever. Let’s go.”
Uber then asked Mendoza, “What’s bringing out these emotions for you?”
“We worked so hard — we worked so hard for this, he said. “As an offense, we’ve done everything that we possibly could have done this summer. Being down, having a close game, this has to be the most special moment in my life today.”
Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza was emotional after beating Stanford.
“I LOVE MY BOYS. IT’S AMAZING. I’M SO PROUD OF EVERYONE ON THIS TEAM. WE’RE 6-6, WE’RE BOWL BOUND AND WE RETAINED THE AXE. GO BEARS FOREVER.”pic.twitter.com/u6ANB3SRgJ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 24, 2024
The winning touchdown was a 22-yard pass from Mendoza to Brady. That capped off a 98-yard drive. So, when Uber asked Mendoza what he’d most remember about the game, his answer was easy.
“I’ll remember going 98 yards with my boys — 98 yards,” he said. But it wasn’t just the 98 yards. It was everything that led to that long, game-winning drive.
“In that moment, we told them, this is why we do the camping trips, this is why we did every Saturday walkthrough, this is why we stayed late — until 9 p.m. — watching film together,” Mendoza said. “That meant so much to me to go 98 yards against a defense that’s been playing great. And we ended up scoring in the clutch.”
[Photo Credit: ACC Network]
