Cal Football Home Opener Vs. Auburn Nationally Televised at Night
In this story:
The Pac-12 announced the kickoff times and television coverage for early-season games of its football teams, and it's a bit of a mixed bag for Cal.
TV and game times were set for the Golden Bears' first three games, and fans might not be able to see the Bears' September 2 opener at North Texas. Game time will be 3 p.m. Central time and 1 p.m. Pacific time, so it will be a nice afternoon time. But you won't be able to see it unless your TV package includes ESPNU, which will televise the game.
It will be different for the Bears' home opener on September 9 against Auburn. That Saturday game will be at night -- 7:30 p.m. Pacific time -- and will be televised nationally on ESPN. Cal has designated that game as a Gold Out, hoping all spectators will wear gold.
It will be Cal's first game against a Southeastern Conference team since 2019, when the Bears beat Mississippi 28-20 on the road. It will be Cal's first home game against an SEC team since the Bears defeated Ole Miss 27-16 in 2017.
Cal has never faced Auburn.
Auburn went 5-7 last year, leading to firing of head coach Bryan Harsin. He was replaced by Hugh Freeze, who was head coach of Liberty the past four seasons after he resigned at Mississippi in 2017 after officials found a "pattern of personal misconduct."
The Bears' September 16 home game against Idaho of the Big Sky Conference will start at 1 p.m. and will be televised by Pac-12 Network.
The game times and TV coverage for Cal's remaining games, including the Pac-12 opener against Washington, will be announced a week or two before the game.
Cover photo of new Auburn coach Hugh Freese by John Reed, USA TODAY Sports
.
Follow Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jakecurtis53
Find Cal Sports Report on Facebook by going to https://www.facebook.com/si.calsportsreport
