All-Time: Texas Tech leads 2-0
Last Meeting: L 14-34 (2023 Independence Bowl)
TOP RATED PLAYERS
Andrew Marsh • WR #3 • JR • 6'0", 196 • Elusive Route Runner • 94 OVR
Caleb Hawkins • RB #24 • JR • 6'0", 221 • East/West Playmaker • 93 OVR
Malcolm Simmons • WR #11 • SR • 6'0", 182 • Speedster • 93 OVR
Cameron Dickey • RB #8 • SR • 5'10", 216 • East/West Playmaker • 91 OVR
Quinten Joyner • RB #88 • SO • 6'0", 204 • East/West Playmaker • 90 OVR
Ashton Hampton • CB #2 • SR • 6'2", 201 • Bump and Run • 90 OVR
Bryce Underwood • QB #19 • JR • 6'4", 231 • Backfield Creator • 89 OVR
Jayden Cofield • DT #51 • SR • 6'2", 332 • Pure Power • 87 OVR
Luke Ferrelli • LB #12 • JR • 6'3", 230 • Thumper • 86 OVR
SCHEDULE
WK 01 • AT CALIFORNIA
WK 02 • AT NORTH TEXAS
WK 03 • AT BYU
WK 04 • VS UTAH
WK 05 • VS KANSAS STATE
WK 06 • AT UCF
WK 07 • VS BAYLOR
WK 09 • AT HOUSTON
WK 10 • AT TCU
WK 11 • VS LSU
WK 12 • AT KANSAS
WK 13 • VS IOWA STATE
WEEK 1, 2027
#12 Texas Tech (0-0, 0-0) vs #9 CALIFORNIA (0-0, 0-0)
Saturday, 9/4/27 • 3:30 PM
California Memorial Stadium • Berkeley, CA
For one night, the two playoff hopefuls looked less like teams opening a new season and more like teams already playing for their postseason lives.
And when the fireworks finally stopped, it was Cal standing on top.
The Golden Bears survived a wild, back-and-forth shootout Saturday, defeating Texas Tech 44-38 in overtime in a game that featured more than 900 yards of combined offense, two quarterbacks throwing for more than 400 yards and enough momentum swings to make the scoreboard operator dizzy.
Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele was the star of the night, throwing for 400 yards and five touchdowns while completing 33 of 43 passes. Then, with the game on the line in overtime, he scored his 6th touchdown of the day, this time with his legs, giving Cal the victory and earning himself Player of the Game honors.
The defining characteristic of the game was Cal's inability to put Texas Tech away. The Golden Bears held multiple double-digit leads throughout the afternoon, but every time it appeared the Red Raiders were on the verge of being knocked out, Texas Tech responded.
The Red Raiders struck first, but Cal quickly answered. Sagapolutele connected with Luke Reynolds on a 37-yard touchdown pass, then found Asaad Waseem from 13 yards out to give the Golden Bears a 14-7 advantage.
A second-quarter field goal from Towns McGough extended the lead before Sagapolutele found Nyziah Hunter for a 33-yard touchdown, building their first half lead up to 24-7. Things were on the verge of getting ugly, but Texas Tech finally responded with a 51-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Underwood to Andrew Marsh.
With the clock winding down in the first half, Sagapolutele found Hunter again, this time for a 9-yard score. But Texas Tech would respond in less than 20 seconds as Underwood hit a wide open Tristian Gentry thanks to a blown coverage in Cal's secondary.
The Red Raiders scored twice in the third quarter on Erik Sandvik field goals, cutting into Cal's advantage and setting up a frantic fourth quarter.
Cal appeared to regain control when Sagapolutele engineered another scoring drive, eventually finding tight end Mason Mini for a 9-yard touchdown to put the Golden Bears up two possessions. A touchdown pass from Underwood to Malcolm Simmons — followed by a successful two-point conversion — pulled the Red Raiders within striking distance.
After forcing a Cal punt, Texas Tech easily got into field goal range and was looking to take the lead with a touchdown. However, on 3rd down Underwood was sacked by defensive end BJ Canady. Sandvik then drilled the game-tying 47-yard field goal with three seconds remaining, sending it to overtime.
Texas Tech got the ball first in overtime but their drive was cut short when wide receiver Malcolm Simmons fumbled and it was recovered by cornerback Dawayne Galloway Jr.
They could've settled for the game-winning field goal but Sagapolutele took matters into his own hands, keeping it on a read option and scoring after a beautiful block by Reynolds.
The Golden Bears repeatedly watched double-digit leads disappear. They watched Texas Tech tie the game with three seconds remaining. But in overtime, they made the plays they needed to in order to come away victorious.
