Cal newly bowl-eligible after waiver request for Grambling State win

The Cal Golden Bears are bowl-eligible after it was determined that their win over Grambling State will count as their sixth FBS-approved victory, the school announced.

The Cal Golden Bears are bowl-eligible after it was determined that their win over Grambling State will count as a sixth FBS-approved victory, the school announced.

California has qualified for postseason play after its 73–14 win over Grambling State, an FCS program, on Sept. 5, was deemed to count toward bowl eligibility. FBS teams can typically count one win over an FCS team per season toward their bowl progress, but the defeated school need have awarded, on average, at least 90 percent of the 63 scholarships it is allowed during a rolling two-year span. 

USA Today reports that as of last week, Grambling State fell short of the requirements, which led to Cal applying for a waiver as a precaution. Grambling determined Wednesday that it met the 90% financial aid requirement, and the FBS now recognizes six Cal wins.

The Golden Bears are 6–5, face the Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday and will play in their first bowl game since 2011 this postseason.

- Jeremy Woo