Cal Football: Arizona State Game Thread - Bears Hold Off Sun Devils 24-21

Cal got it done for a 24-21 win over Arizona State on Saturday afternoon before 34,353 fans at Memorial Stadium.

Jaydn Ott rushed for 16 yards and a touchdown as the Bears improved to 3-2 overall, 1-1 in the Pac-12. ASU (1-4, 0-2) is still seeking its first win over an FBS opponent.

PLAYER UPDATES: Not dressed for Cal today are WR Taj Davis and DL Ethan Saunders.

QB DECISION: Sam Jackson V gets the start at quarterback for the Bears. But after one first down, the Bears punt.

6:16 1st Q: Isaiah Ifanse scores on a 1-yard run giving Cal the lead. The Bears drove 68 yards in seven plays with Jaydn Ott getting things started with a pair of 9-yard runs before Jackson completed a 31-yard pass to Jeremiah Hunter to the 19. Freshman Jaivian Thomas then scooted 16 yards on a reverse, giving the Bears a first-and-goal at the 3. Ifanse scored on a third-down run. Cal 7, ASU 0.

0:15 1st Q: The Sun Devils answer with a 13-play, 75-yard drive, capped by Cam Scattebo's 2-yard TD run. Big plays include Trenton Bourguet's 34-yard pass to Melquan Stovall to the Cal 19-yard line and his 12-yard completion to Gio Sanders to the 7. Cal 7, ASU 7.

END OF FIRST QUARTER: As you would expect in a tie game, the numbers are pretty even. ASU has 92 total yards, Cal 90. Big edge to the Sun Devils in time of possession: 10:20 to 4:40. Ott has 3 carries for 18 yards. Jackson is 4-for-7 for 53 yards, no TDs, no INTs. Cal 7, ASU 7.

8:18 2nd Q: New placekicker, freshman Mateen Bhaghani, converts his first career FG attempt, a 37-yarder, capping an 8-play, 22-yard scoring drive. The Bears started at the ASU 42 after their defense forced a punt from the 2-yard line, Cal 10, ASU 7.

HALFTIME: Cal 10, ASU 7. Not exactly a prolific offensive first half by the Bears but they hold the lead and will get the ball first to start the third quarter.Cal had 142 total yards with 62 through the air, 80 on the ground. ASU had 170 yards, 126 through the air and 54 rushing. First downs were even at 9-9. The Sun Devils with 17:35 time of possession, compared to 12:25 for the Bears.

Jackson was 6 for 13 for 62 yards with no TDs, no INTs and was sacked twice. Cal has no turnovers.

Ott has 10 rushes, 65 yards, 6.5 per attempt.

Trenton Bourguet is 11 for 18 for 108 yards with no TD, no INTs. Scattebo has run the ball 17 times for 42 yards, 2.5 per attempt. He also has an 18-yard pass completion on a fourth-down play, the second week in a row he has converted on fourth down.

9:11 3rd Q: Jackson throws a 21-yard back-shoulder TD pass to Hunter to pad the Bears' lead. Cal went 31 yards in four plays, but it wasn't a straight line. Jackson had a 16-yard keeper wiped out by a holding penalty and the Bears kept the drive alive when Jackson passed 20 yards to tight end Asher Alberding to the 21. Next play - touchdown. Cal 17, ASU 7.

5:33 3rd Q: One more, the Sun Devils answer a Cal touchdown with a score of their own. It appeared to be a touchdown, a fourth-down lateral pass to Elijah Badger from Cam Scattebo. But Cal asked for an official review and ASU was flagged for an illegal substitution because of 12 men on the field, negating the touchdown and leaving the Sun Devils with a fourth-and-goal from the 6. They went for the field goal, and former Golden Bear Dario Longhetto converted the 24-yarder. The score was set up by a 66-yard pass and run to Scattebo. Cal 17, ASU 10.

0:44 3rd Q: Longhetto converts a 29-yard field goal, capping a six-play, 69-yard drive that included a 52-yard pass from Bourguet to Badger to the Cal 14-yard line. Cal 17, ASU 13.

END OF THIRD QUARTER: Cal 17, ASU 13. The Bears will begin the fourth quarter with a third-and-4 play from the ASU 31-yard line. The Sun Devils now have a 355-244 edge in total yards. Bourguet is 20 for 30 for 271 yards. Jackson is 10 for 20 for 117 yards and a TD. Ott has rushed 15 times for 88 yards.

10:52 4th Q: Ott scores on a 2-yard burst capping a three-play, 11-yard drive that was set up by Matthew Littlejohn's 20-yard interception return to the 11-yard line. Bourguet was pressured by Nate Burrell before delivering a pass that was short and wound up in the arms of Cal's nickel back. Ott now has 112 yards rushing on 19 attempts. Cal 24, ASU 13.

9:18 4th Q: The Bears, unable to enjoy prosperity, allow ASU to respond once again. This was set up by a 52-yard kickoff return by Elijah Badger to the Cal 48-yard line. Bourguet then passed 30 yards to Melquan Stovall and 10 yards to Scattebo. Bourguet scored the TD on a 3-yard keeper before converting a 2-point conversion pass to Badger. The Bears' 11-point lead lasted just 1 minute, 34 seconds. Cal 24, ASU 21.

Some pre-game reading:

-- Our comprehensive game preview, with just about everything you'll want to know about this match. Honest.

-- The weekly question: What's happening at quarterback?

-- Meet new Cal kicker Mateen Bhaghani, a San Diego with a Pakistani heritage

-- The Bears land a DB from Texas in their 2024 recruiting class

-- Our fearless (but not always dependable) Pac-12 game picks

-- An Arizona State beat writer answers our 5 Questions about the Sun Devils

-- What do we make of defensive lineman Brett Johnson's comeback so far?

-- What do the bowl experts project for Pac-12 teams?

-- Could sophomore Fernando Mendoza soon get a shot at QB?

Cover photo of Sam Jackson V by Robert Edwards, USA Today

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo