Brooks rushed for 1,443 yards and nine touchdowns in 12 games, and he will go up against a Cal defense that allowed more than 133 YPG on the ground. Not only will Brooks play against Cal, but he announced earlier this month he will return to Texas Tech for the 2024 season. It all starts with Tahj Brooks: In the era of bowl opt-outs, it's very common for the best players to not play beyond the regular season. In seven games as the starter, Mendoza tallied 1,447 yards and 13 touchdowns, and was a major factor in Cal earning a bowl bid. Finley before being thrust into the starting role. Mendoza entered the season as the third-string QB on Cal's depth chart behind TCU transfer Sam Jackson V and T.J.

Cal Need to knowįernando Mendoza's rise: Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza took the road less traveled to earn his starting spot. TV: ESPN | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)įor a limited time, new subscribers can save $20 on Fubo's Pro, Elite and Premier plans. Location: Independence Stadium - Shreveport, Louisiana How to watch Independence Bowl liveĭate: Saturday, Dec.

The Red Raiders closed the season with wins over TCU, Kansas and UCF to reach the six-win mark before falling to in-state rival Texas in the finale. 25 over UCLA marked the final regular-season game of the Pac-12 era before the league splits up amid conference realignment.Īfter getting off a 1-3 start to the season that included close losses to Wyoming and West Virginia, Texas Tech followed a similar trajectory as Cal to qualify for its third straight bowl game. Cal was in danger of extending that streak to four before rattling off wins over Washington State, Stanford and UCLA to close out the regular season. The Bears are back in a bowl for the first time since 2019 after three consecutive losing seasons under coach Justin Wilcox. This will mark the second all-time meeting between the programs and first since the Red Raiders upset an Aaron Rodgers-led Cal team in the 2004 Holiday Bowl. Texas Tech will meet Cal in the Independence Bowl on Saturday in Shreveport, Louisiana, in the night cap of the first day of Bowl Season festivities.

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