BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Fernando Mendoza passed for two touchdowns and a career-high 364 yards, and California beat Oregon State 44-7 on Saturday to snap a four-game losing skid.
Cal (4-4) led 31-0 at halftime and also saw star running back Jaydn Ott return after missing the previous two games with an ankle injury. The Bears, who entered the game having dropped their last four games by a combined nine points, left little doubt about Saturday’s victory.
The Bears scored on their first drive when Mendoza caught an alert lateral from Jaivian Thomas as his running back was being tackled after a dump-off pass, and ran for a 9-yard touchdown — though he received credit for a touchdown pass. After an Oregon State three-and-out, Mendoza led the Bears back down the field in three plays, finding Nyziah Hunter for a 20-yard touchdown…