Cal vs. Virginia Tech Thread: Banged-Up Bears Take on Potent Hokies Squad

Several key Cal players are questionable to play, including QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele

Cal wide receiver Cooper Perry | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Cal sets out to halt a two-game losing streak this afternoon against a once-beaten Virginia Tech squad. Kickoff is 12:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium and the game will be aired on the ACC Network.

The Bears (2-3, 1-1 ACC) are hoping to avoid just their second 2-4 start over a span of 13 years. The Hokies (4-1, 1-1) were off to their best start since 2017 when they won their first four, but lost 35-33 to Pitt last week.

This is the start of a two-game homestand for the Bears, who face Wake Forest in a 7:30 p.m. game on Oct. 17. Cal then plays three consecutive road games -- at SMU, NC State and Virginia -- over a span of four weeks.

The latest on Cal's injury sitiuation is that QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, LB Kamar Mothudi and S Kingston Lopa will warm up and will be game-time decisions; WR Chase Hendricks has been cleared to play; RB Adam Mohammed is out.

We'll be back throughout the afternoon to provide updates on the action.

COIN TOSS: QB Jackson Brousseau is the only Cal players at midfielld for the coin flip. Tech won the flip and deferred. Cal gets the ball first. Brousseau warming up -- looks like he's starting in place of JKS.

13:02 1st Q: Cal defense on the field and neither S Kingston Lopa or LB Kamar Mothudi was playing to start the game. Mothudi was on the field in the second quarter.

End of 1st Q: Virginia Tech has a 2nd-and-3 from the Cal 27 when the second quarter begins. Hokies have 54 yards of offense -- 24 passing, 30 rushing. Cal has 27 yards -- 30 passing, minus-3 rushing. Brousseau is 6 for 7 for 30 yards. Ashten Emory has 5 rushes for 6 yards. Cal is averaging 2.1 yards per play. Cal 0, Virginia Tech 0

12:41 2nd Q: Ethan Grunkemeyer throws a 30-yard TD pass to WR Ayden Greene, who extends and hits the left pylon for the score. The seven-play, 80-yard drive was highlighted by a 32-yard pass completion to Greene to the Cal 41 on a third-and-16 play from the VT 27. Virginia Tech 7, Cal 0

5:54 2nd Q: Cal pulls even after a five-play, 85-yard drive capped by a 5-yard TD run by Ashten Emory on a pitch to the left. The big plays on the drive: a 42-yard pass from Brousseau to Chase Hendricks to the VT 43-yard line and a 23-yard completion to the 20 to Jordan King, who made a spectacular catch on the right sideline. Cal 7, Virginia Tech 7

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Pre-game reading material:

-- Our game preview

-- Saturday morning injury update

-- Has Cal made an offensive breakthrough in the fourth quarter?

-- A Virginia Tech beat writer answers our 5 Questions

-- Pat McCann takes over as offensive playcaller

-- Cal footrball GM critical of play that injured JKS

-- PFF player grades for Cal's loss to UNLV

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