Clemson football delivered a strong road performance Friday night, defeating California 24-10 in Berkeley and continuing its turnaround in ACC play.
The Clemson vs California matchup was decided by Clemson’s defense, rushing attack and several explosive special-teams plays. While the Tigers did not produce a huge passing performance, they controlled the game on the ground and repeatedly made key defensive stops.
Gideon Davidson was the standout offensive player for Clemson, rushing for 159 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. His 75-yard touchdown run with 2:59 remaining in the fourth quarter effectively sealed the victory.
Clemson vs Cal Final Score
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
| California | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
The victory moved Clemson to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in ACC play, giving the Tigers consecutive conference wins following their early-season defeat.
Clemson Football Controls the Game on the Ground
The biggest difference in Clemson vs Cal was the Tigers’ rushing attack.
Davidson continued his impressive stretch with 159 yards and two touchdowns. After rushing for 105 yards against North Carolina, the young running back recorded his second consecutive 100-yard game.
His 75-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter gave Clemson a 24-10 advantage and ended any realistic chance of a Cal comeback.
Overall, Clemson finished with 253 rushing yards, allowing the Tigers to maintain possession and reduce pressure on freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds.
Clemson Defense Shuts Down California Football
The Clemson defense was equally important to the win.
California football managed only 231 total yards, while quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw two interceptions.
Elliot Washington II was particularly influential in the secondary. He recorded an interception for the second consecutive game and now has three interceptions over Clemson’s last two contests.
The Tigers also produced important sacks and fourth-down stops throughout the night, repeatedly preventing Cal from turning promising drives into touchdowns.
Bryant Wesco Provides Special-Teams Spark
Clemson also received a major contribution from Bryant Wesco.
In the third quarter, Wesco returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown, giving Clemson a 17-10 lead.
It was Clemson’s first punt-return touchdown since 2018 and provided an important momentum swing in a game that had been tied at 10-10.
Tait Reynolds Makes His Second Start
Freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds made his second career start and his first road start for Clemson.
Reynolds completed 13 of 21 passes for 108 yards while adding 28 rushing yards. His passing numbers were modest, but Clemson did not need a high-volume aerial attack because the running game and defense consistently delivered.
Reynolds also experienced an early mistake when his fumble was recovered by Cal for a touchdown, putting the Golden Bears ahead 7-0.
The Tigers responded and eventually took control.
Cal vs Clemson: How the Game Unfolded
Cal opened the scoring after Reynolds’ fumble led to a defensive touchdown.
Clemson answered with a field goal from Nolan Hauser before Davidson powered into the end zone to put the Tigers ahead 10-7.
The Golden Bears tied the game at 10-10 with a third-quarter field goal, but Wesco’s punt return changed the momentum.
Clemson’s defense then continued to pressure Cal, and Washington’s late interception helped put the game away. Davidson’s 75-yard touchdown run shortly afterward extended the lead to 24-10.
Cal could not respond in the final minutes.
Clemson vs Cal: Key Numbers
- Final score: Clemson 24, Cal 10
- Clemson record: 3-1
- Clemson ACC record: 2-0
- Gideon Davidson: 159 rushing yards, 2 TDs
- Clemson rushing: 253 yards
- Tait Reynolds: 13-of-21, 108 passing yards
- Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele: 2 interceptions
- Elliot Washington II: interception
- Bryant Wesco: 65-yard punt-return touchdown
- Cal total offense: 231 yards
What’s Next for Clemson?
The win gives Clemson football additional momentum heading into the next ACC matchup.
The Tigers will return home next Saturday to face Miami after earning back-to-back conference victories on the road.
For Cal, the loss drops the Golden Bears after a competitive start, with the offense struggling to consistently move the ball against Clemson’s defense.
The Clemson vs California matchup ultimately belonged to the Tigers, who used a balanced rushing attack, aggressive defense and a game-changing special-teams touchdown to secure a 24-10 road victory.
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