After the Wildcats win, Arizona students flood the field. (0:22).
Arizona ended its 20-game losing streak Saturday by winning 10-3 at home against a California team with less than two dozen people who had tested positive for COVID-19.
The Golden Bears lost their starting quarterback Chase Garbers, three offensive and three defensive starters, as well as three starters on their offensive line. Multiple vaccinated assistant coaches, including Andrew Browning (defensive), Geep Chryst ("tight ends"), Angus McClure (“offensive”) and Tre Watson (defensive backs), were also positive. They did not travel to Tucson to play the game, according to ESPN.
Cal announced Friday that 91% of its roster had been vaccinated. According to a source, Cal had 42 scholarship players due to positive tests and injuries.
Justin Wilcox, Cal coach, said that the team felt ready to compete if they could form one. "I thought that the guys competed very hard in each phase. Many of the guys were playing their first action, and I felt they competed very hard. It was obvious that we didn't do enough to win the game.
The city of Berkeley ordered that the whole team be tested for the virus on Wednesday, after a few positive results early in the week. This revealed the outbreak, according to a source. It is not known when players and coaches who have tested positive for the virus will be allowed back on the team.
Wilcox stated that this is a city-of Berkeley process and that the [UC Berkeley administration] are the ones who relay the information to him. "I look forward to sharing more at another time. "I don't believe this is the right time to talk about that at this moment."
Ryan Glover, Cal's backup quarterback, was unable to play. Glover had started six games for Western Carolina in the spring and struggled with the absence of Garbers. Glover was unable to pass for the left tackle, left guard, and center positions, completing just 11 of 29 passes for 94 yard. Cal ran for just 28 yards on 24 carries.
Arizona ended its longest losing streak by ending the nation's longest losing streak with Cal's decimated roster.
Jedd Fisch, Arizona's first-year coach, said that "Obviously, it has been difficult." It's hard to bear. It's impossible to avoid it even if you try.
There are some availability issues in Arizona. Three quarterbacks, Jamarye Joiner, Will Plummer and Luke Ashworth, attempted at least one pass against Cal, with the team's top quarterbacks, Jordan McCloud, and Gunner Cruz, already out for the season. Plummer was responsible for 16 completions and 2 interceptions. Ashworth's one attempt was a fumble.
Arizona ran for 202 yards in 52 carries.
