California beats Sacramento State 55-14
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Opponents would be wise to prepare for California's two-man quarterback rotation.
What began as a brief experiment a week ago has quickly evolved into a permanent part of the Golden Bears' plans for starter Jared Goff and backup Luke Rubenzer.
The duo combined for six touchdowns while splitting playing time in Cal's 55-14 win over Sacramento State on Saturday in its home opener, and coach Sonny Dykes expects the pattern to continue.
"It's something we'll look at every week," Dykes said. "Jared throws the ball about as good as anybody. Luke can throw it, too. They have different strengths."
Goff matched his career high of four touchdown passes while Rubenzer threw for one and ran for another.
Kenny Lawler caught two touchdown passes from Goff — including a leaping one-handed grab — while Maurice Harris and Darius Powe also scored on touchdown receptions. Goff went 17 of 22 for 229 yards.
Daniel Lasco added a 50-yard scoring run as the Golden Bears (2-0) raced to a 42-0 lead midway through the second quarter then coasted to its most lopsided win since beating Presbyterian 63-12 in 2011.
"That's exactly how it's supposed to go," Goff said. "It felt great. The offense executed very well, especially in the first half."
It's the first time Cal has opened with back-to-back victories since winning its first three games in 2011. The Bears went 1-11 last year in Dykes' first season.
Cal also got a lift from its defense, which held Sacramento State (1-1) to minus-12 yards rushing in the first half.
Lasco had a career-high 94 yards on nine carries and provided the signature play of the game with his long touchdown run in the second quarter. He took a handoff from Goff and broke through the left side of the line, did a 360-degree spin at the 45, then outraced three defenders over the final 20 yards to finish the second-longest touchdown run of his career.
Cal scored on its first seven drives before missing a field goal attempt to end the first half.
"We are doing a good job at taking what (defenses) are giving us," Dykes said. "We did a good job at making first downs, moving the chains and getting the ball in the end zone."
Goff, the Bears' sophomore quarterback, had scoring throws of 4, 16 and 19 yards, giving him seven touchdowns in what has amounted to be a part-time role.
For the second straight game, Cal used both Goff and Rubenzer, a freshman who led the Bears in rushing during their season-opening win over Northwestern, despite only taking a handful of snaps.
This time it was much different, raising the specter of a potential quarterback controversy.
Rubenzer ran for 34 yards against the Hornets and scored on a 1-yard keeper around the right side. He was equally effective in the pocket, completing 3 of 4 throws for 84 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown to Powe in the first quarter. Rubenzer had a second touchdown pass negated by an offensive pass interference penalty.
Cal used third-stringer Austin Hinder for much of the third quarter before Goff returned to throw a 12-yard touchdown to Chris Harper to make it 55-14.
"It makes us not one-dimensional," Lawler said of Cal's rotating quarterbacks. "Luke can get in there and run the ball and he can also throw. That helps with our offense, makes us more explosive."
James Langford added field goals of 33 and 47 yards for Cal.
The Bears led 45-0 when Sacramento State ended the shutout on a 3-yard pass from quarterback Garrett Safron to tight end Chris Broadnax.
Safron, who passed for five touchdowns in the Hornets' season opening win, later scored on a 73-yard run — the longest by any Hornets' player since 2004.
"When you play up like this, the margin of error is nil," Hornets coach Jody Sears said. "We have to go through these trials. We have to go through this adversity."