Cal-FSU Game Thread: Bears Fall 14-9 in First-Ever ACC Game

Florida State sacked Fernando Mendoz on fourth-and-16 from the Seminoles' 23-yard in the final minute and Cal's comeback try in its first-ever ACC game was over.

FSU (3-1) took home a 14-9 win at Doak Campbell Stadium, handing the Bers (3-1) their first defeat.

Mendoza, who threw for a caeer-high 303 yards in a return to his home state, scrambled 26 yards on a third-down play to keep Cal's final possession alive. He then hit tight end Jak Endries with a 13-yard completion on a fourth-and-13 play, giving the Bears a first down at the FSU 32.

He was hit from behind and fumbled on second-and-10 from the 17 but lineman Rush Reimer recovered for the Bears.

After throwing incomplete in the end zone to Trond Grizzell, Mendoza was sacked for the seventh time and it was over.

Here's our game thread:

PLAYER AVAILABILITY: Not sure who will be on the field as the game starts, but on Cal's pregame radio show RB Jaydn Ott, OLB David Reese and NB Matthew Littlejohn were announed as starters. All three sat out last week's wn over San Diego State.

Not mentioned were OG Sioape Vatikani or C Will McDonald, but that does not mean they won't be playng. An update on the pregame show suggested both will play, but DL Ricky Correia and Littlejohn were listed as out.

COIN TOSS: Cal won the toss and deferred. Bears are kicking off.

10:43 1st Qtr: Each team forced to punt on first possession, although Cal did get one first down before doing so. The Bears did have Ott in the starting lineup and OG Vatikani and C McDonald both were on the field as well. Cal 0, FSU 0.

7:47 1st Q: The Seminoles have the lead at home for the first time in three games this season after an eight-play, 60-yard scoring drive capped by Lawrance Toafili's 2-yard TD plunge. FSU's offensive line took charge and DJ Uiagalelei was 3 for 3 for 21 yards. FSU 7, Cal 0

END OF FIRST QUARTER: It's been all FSU so far. The Seminoles hold a total yardage edge of 124 to 37, includng 66-0 in rushing yards and 58-37 through the air. FSU has 7 first downs to 2 for the Bears. FSU averaging 6.5 yards per snap compared to 3.7 for Cal. Mendoza is 4-for-4 for 37 yards while Ott rushed 3 times for 11 yards. FSU 7, Cal 0.

12:52 2nd Q: Safety Miles Williams collects Cal's 10th pass interception of the year, interrupting a FSU drive that had reached the 11-yard. A holding penalty pushed the Seminoles back to the Cal 21 and two plays late, on third-and-15 from the 18, Williams stepped in front of the receiver, picked off the pass and returned it 14 yards to the 25. FSU 7, Cal 0

10:10 2nd Q: Cal takes advantage of Williams' interception, with Ryan Coe kicking a 25-yard field goal to cap a six-play, 68-yard drive. The big plays were Mendoza's 46-yard completion to Mikey Matthews and a 15-yarder to Mason Starling. FSU 7, Cal 3.

3:52 2nd Q: Cal just punted and Lachlan Wilson booted a 48-yard that sends the Seminoles back to their own 16-yard line. Four plays earlier, Mendoza completed a 27-yard pass to Josiah Martin on a third-and-11 play from the Cal 1-yard line. The Bears could not sustain the possession but got out of deep trouble and flipped the field. FSU 7, Cal 3.

0:00 2nd Q: Coe's 29-yard field goal on the final play of the half brings the Bears within a point at the break. The Bears went 51 yards in five plays on the drive with a roughness penalty vs. FSU and Jaydn Ott's subsequent 23-yard run to the 11 setting up the field goal. Cal will get the ball first to start the third quarter. FSU 7, Cal 6.

HALFTIME: Florida State 7, Cal 6. The Bears fared much better in the second quarter and have closed the statistical gap. FSU has 208 yards at halftime, Cal now has 188. Mendoza is 11 for 16 for 151 yards but also hit second interception of the second. Ott has 5 carries for 39 yards but the Bears have a net total of just 37 rushing yards. FSU has 104 yards passing and 104 yards rushing, the latter total powered by Toafili's 69 rushing yards.

FSU has been better on third down, converting 5 of 10 after coming into the game at just 26 percent on third down. Cal is 1 for 5 on third down. FSU punter Alex Mastromanno has been a huge weapon, averaging 46.7 yards on three kicks, leaving the Bears pinned at their own 2-yard line on one of them. Lachlan Wilson is averaging 42.7 on three punts.

Linebacker Teddye Buchanan already has 9 tackles for Cal.

The Bears will get the ball first to start the third quarter.

9:49 3rd Q: The Bears keep the ball for 15 plays, moving from their own 25 to the FSU 18 before Ryan Coe misses wide left on a 36-yard field goal attempt. He's 2 for 3 today, just 4 for 9 on the season. FSU 7, Cal 6.

6:15 3rd Q: Wilson booms a 69-yard punt with no return, pinning the Seminoles back at their 11-yard line. It's not the longest of his career -- Wilson had a 73-yarder last season vs. UCLA. FSU 7, Cal 6.

1:43 2rd Q: Cal guard Sioape Vatikani, playing for the first time this season after missing three games with a foot injury, suffered some sort of head or neck mishap while colliding with am FSU defender. He remains on the field for about 10 minutes while the medical staffs from both teams attended to him. Ultimately, he was secured to a board and taken out of the stadium on a cart. Before leaving, he raising an arm and gave fans a thumbs up, signaling he's OK. FSU 7, Cal 6.

1:30 3rd Q: On the play following the stoppage for Vatikani's injury, Cal faced a fourth-and-3 from the FSU 33-yard line. Although Coe missed his previous attempt from 36 yards, he was sent out for a 51-yard field goal. He nailed it. Cal 9, FSU 7.

END OF THIRD QUARTER: Cal now has not only a 9-7 lead on the scoreboard but a 302 to 250 advantage in total yards. First downs are 16 to 12 in Cal's favor. Mendoza is 18 for 29 for 241 yards. Ott has rushed 11 times for 57 yards. Cal 9, FSU 7.

11:08 4th Q: Cal's lead did not last long. The Seminoles answered with a 12-play, 79-yard drive, capped by a perfectly thrown 36-yard TD pass from Uiagalelei to wide receiver Ja'Khi Douglas, who beat Cal defender Ja'ir Smith at the goal line. FSU 14, Cal 9.

6:07 4th Q: Another missed field goal by Coe - this one wide right from 38 yards - prevents the Bears from creeping within two points. FSU 14, Cal 9.

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Some pre-game reading material:

— Our comprehensive game preview

— Our weekly ACC game picks

— Seven of eight writers with FSU Seminoles on SI actually pick Cal

— Cal’s players and coaches won’t take winless FSU lightly

— An FSU beat writer answers our 5 Quesstions about the Seminoles

— Transfer tight end Corey Dyches brings the Bears versatility

— Newcomer Aidan Keanaaina helping to strength Bears’ D-line

— The bowl experts are liking Cal right now