Cal stuns No. 15 Louisville 29-26 in overtime as Sagapolutele delivers game-winning TD pass

Freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw a -yard touchdown pass to Jacob De Jesus on fourth down in the first overtime and Cal stunned host No Louisville - on Saturday night That was our moment that was our time to shine Sagpolutele mentioned I had so much confidence in Jacob that he was going to make a play He got open and he scored Sagapolutele threw for a career-high yards and two touchdowns and De Jesus caught passes for yards as the Bears - - ACC snapped a two-game losing streak and earned bowl eligibility for the third straight year Sagapoutele completed passes of and yards to running back Kendrick Raphael in overtime to reach the -yard line Raphael then ran the ball twice to the -yard line before a trick play on third down went nowhere Louisville - - got the ball first in overtime but settled for a -yard field goal from Cooper Ranvier for a - lead The loss drops the Cardinals out of what would have been a five-way tie for first place in the ACC The championship went into overtime at -all after neither band could outcome on its final four possessions of regulation Cal promptly added to its four-point halftime lead when cornerback Hezekiah Masses made his fifth interception of the season setting up a career-long -yard field goal by Chase Meyer for a - margin with left in the third quarter Louisville responded with an eight-play -yard drive that was fueled by two -yard penalties against the Bears a flag for roughing and one for a facemask Miller Moss scored on a -yard quarterback sneak to tie the number at - with left in the third Cal went back in front - when Meyer made his third field goal of the tournament a -yarder with seconds left in the third period But the drive could have provided the Bears with more except for three false start penalties Louisville tied the event for the fourth time at -all when Randvier delivered on a -yard field goal with left in the fourth quarter Cal played one of its best halves of the season to forge a - lead at the break The Bears took their first lead on Raphael s -yard TD run with seconds left in the second quarter which capped a nine-play -yard drive It was Raphael s th touchdown of the season his th on the ground Cal gained yards in the half against a Louisville squad that was leading the ACC in total defense allowing just yards per meeting The Bears had seven plays of at least yards in the half The Bears made changes on the offensive line with Bastian Swinney taking over at at the troubled center position Sagapolutele was for for yards with a touchdown and no turnovers in the first two quarters De Jesus caught eight of those passes for yards and also completed a -yard pass to Trond Grizzell on a trick play to open the tournament That promising drive ended with a missed -yard field goal try by Meyer Related Articles Cal misses its shot to beat No Virginia and become bowl eligible as Bears fall - at home What to know before Cal kicks off against No Virginia No Virginia s visit to Cal could be golden opportunity for Bears Cal falls to Virginia Tech - in double overtime misses chance to become bowl eligible What to know before Cal kicks off at Virginia Tech Louisville answered forthwith with a touchdown drive before Cal tied the outcome when Sagapolutele delivered a perfect -yard back-shoulder TD pass to tight end Landon Morris with seconds left in the first quarter The teams then traded field goals Meyer converting this time from yards with left in the half for a - total Louisville crept back in front - on Ranvier s -yard field goal with left in the half With limited time but three timeouts in his back pocket Sagpaolutele calmly took the Bears down the field He hit De Jesus for a -yard gain and Raphael for a -yard pickup to get into the red zone On third-and-goal from the Raphael plowed across to put Cal in front