PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Brandon McIlwain was unable to get Cal on the scoreboard in the first half and committed a whopping four turnovers in the second half — two interceptions and two fumbles. McIlwain, who started the season as a backup, is completing 63 percent of his passes, but his touchdown-to-interception ratio — 2 to 7 — is astoundingly poor. McIlwain, though, is mostly in the game for his dual-threat capabilities and has 371 rushing yards this season. That’s second-best to tailback Patrick Laird’s 384.
–S Evan Rambo provides the Cal defense a mix of skills, as he showed with a sack and a tackle for a loss against UCLA. The Golden Bears’ secondary has been relatively quiet, and Rambo is the type of safety who can make an impact in pass rush and run-stopping as well.
–RB Patrick Laird turned in a solid performance on an otherwise anemic afternoon for Cal against UCLA. He took 17 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown; he also lost a fumble. Laird, who burst onto the scene last season as a former-walk-on-turned-starter, is yet to surpass 100 rushing yards in a game this season.
SERIES HISTORY: Cal leads the series against Oregon State 37-33 and won the last matchup in 2017.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “It’s never going to be acceptable to give up the ball and commit turnovers, but we’re going to continue to work on it. It’s now or never. It’s time to make a change and find a way to pick it up.” — Cal quarterback Brandon McIlwain, who was responsible for four of Cal’s five turnovers (two interceptions and two lost fumbles) in a 37-7 home loss to UCLA.