Recap: Clemson takes down Cal on the west coast in dominant fashion

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Recap: Clemson takes down Cal on the west coast in dominant fashion

Alexander Turri, Clemson Wire · Clemson Wire

Sat, Sep 26, 2026 ·

10 min read

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Clemson may be settling into an identity.

The Tigers didn't need a big passing night Friday in Berkeley, instead leaning on their defense, rushing attack and explosive young playmakers to beat California 24-10.

Gideon Davidson led the way with 159 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. His biggest moment came late, when he broke free for a 75-yard score with 2:59 remaining to put the game out of reach. It was his second straight 100-yard performance after rushing for 105 against North Carolina.

Clemson's defense controlled the matchup, limiting Cal to 231 total yards. Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw for only 119 yards and was intercepted twice by Elliot Washington II, who now has three picks in the last two games.

Bryant Wesco also delivered a major spark, returning a punt 65 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. It was Clemson's first punt-return score since 2018.

Tait Reynolds finished 13-of-21 for 108 yards while adding 28 rushing yards. Clemson totaled 253 yards on the ground and improved to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in ACC play.

Clemson has now won consecutive conference games after its early-season loss, with momentum building.

The Tigers return home next Saturday to face Miami.

Contact us at @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news, notes and opinions .

Clemson Tigers vs Cal Golden Bears score

Quarter	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	Score
Clemson	0	10	7	0	—	24
Cal	7	0	3	0	—	10

Clemson Tigers vs. Cal Golden Bears live updates, analysis

Refresh for the latest updates from Clemson's Week 4 showdown against Cal in Berkeley:

END OF GAME: Clemson 24, Cal 10

01:54 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

Fantastic win from Clemson. Defense looked great and offense got the job done.

Cal uses there second timeout

01:52 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

First down here and it's over.

Interception!

01:48 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

Elliot Washington calls game for the second week in a row. Clemson can now just chew as much clock as possible. This game is over.

GIDEON DAVIDSON 75-YARDS TO THE HOUSE

01:43 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

That should be ball game! 2:59 left in the game and Clemson takes a 14 point leads. Clemson 24, Cal 10.

Gideon Davidson big first down

01:39 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

Clemson once again gets out of sticky field position.

Huge sack leads to defensive stop

01:32 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

Another drive crushing sack from Clemson's defense. Clemson will get the ball back with 5:40 left in the game.

Cal is driving

01:30 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

The Golden Bears are now in Clemson territory. 7:08 left in the game.

Nolan Hauser missed field goal

01:24 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

Hauser misses the 48-yard attempt. Unexpected.

4th quarter starts

01:17 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

Cal is offsides on the first play of the 4th.

End of Third: Clemson 17, Cal 10

01:11 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

Clemson gets the first down and off the 1. This is going to the fourth now.

Another awesome stop from Clemson's defense

01:08 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

The Tigers' defense looks great right now. Great punt from the Cal punter though as the Tigers will start the drive at the 1.

Clemson 17, Cal 10

01:02 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

BRYANT WESCO! 65-yard punt return for the touchdown electric.

Quick 3 and out from Cal

01:00 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

Exactly what you want to see from Clemson's defense.

Clemson punts

12:57 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

The Tigers fail convert on third down. Cal will take over around the 7 with 6:30 left in the third quarter.

Tait Reynolds connects with Olsen Patt-Henry

12:50 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

A nice chunk play to get the Tigers into Golden Bear territory.

Clemson 10, Cal 10

12:44 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

Cal's kicker hits the 30-yard field goal. We're tied at 10.

Second half starts

12:40 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

The second half is underway and Cal is already driving. They're down to the Clemson 26.

A long night ahead of us

12:32 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

East coast people who finish this game are true fans. This is going to be a late one.

Clemson's offense coming into the 2nd half

12:25 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

It will be interesting to see how Tait Reynolds and Clemson's offense comes out of the locker room. They came out strong last week.

End of First Half: Clemson 10, Cal 7

12:16 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

Clemson leads heading into the locker room. Solid first half from the Tigers.

Reynolds sacked

12:12 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

Just liked that, it's 3rd and 28. 27 seconds left in the first half and Cal takes a timeout.

Awesome Tait Reynolds run

12:09 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

A nice little hesitation from Reynolds to get himself in open space. Clemson is in Cal territory.

Cal misses the field goal

12:08 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

Golden Bears are short from 51. Clemson has an opportunity to add more points before the end of the half.

Two minute timeout

12:00 AM ET, September 26 2026, Alexander Turri

Clemson leads 10-7 with 2 minutes left in the first half.

Mohammad is churning for Cal

11:59 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

I'm not sure why they're not giving Adam Mohammad the ball more. Cal enters Clemson territory.

Clemson 10, Cal 7

11:51 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Gideon Davidson bulls into the end zone for six. Clemson takes the lead.

Unnecessary roughness on Cal

11:50 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

That'll give Clemson an automatic first down.

Clemson converts another 4th down

11:48 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

That one was 4th and 1. Clemson is on the Cal 6-yard line.

Clemson converts on 4th and 2

11:45 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Gear catch from Bentancur to pick up that first down.

Soft third fowl play call

11:41 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

4th and 2 now and Clemson calls a timeout. 8:55 left in the 2nd quarter.

Clemson with a wild play with the fake field goal into punt

11:38 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

So, Nolan Hauser pooch punts as the Tigers draw Cal offside and get a fresh set of downs. Wild.

Tyler Brown looks explosive

11:32 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Another huge gain from the Tigers WR3. Making the most of every touch.

London Merritt sack

11:30 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Clemson's defense is looking solid. Big sack right there from the Colorado transfer.

Clemson 3, Cal 7

11:27 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Nolan Hauser hits the chip shot. 14:56 left in the first half.

Awful red zone play calling

11:22 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Not really sure what Chad Morris was going for there. Clemson is going to settle for 3.

Clemson is in the red zone

11:19 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Tigers' offense is looking great on this drive. Another awesome run from Davidson.

Clemson timeout

11:15 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

That's the second in the first quarter. Brutal.

Tyler Brown with 27-yard end around

11:15 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Great start to this game for Brown. Love seeing him involved.

David Eziomume is down on the field

11:11 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

They're bringing the cart out for Eziomume. Looks like a left leg injury.

Tait Reynolds fumbles, Cal scores

11:02 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Doesn't look like Reynolds was down there. That's a scoop and score for Cal. 7-0 Cal.

Clemson gets a 4th down stop

10:56 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Turnover on downs for Cal after going for it on 4th and 2. Huge stop.

Cal is driving

10:54 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Adam Mohammad is running well this drive. The Golden Bears are on Clemson's 30.

Clemson punts

10:52 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Call will take over after a slow start for the Tigers' offense.

Clemson timeout

10:47 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Waste of a timeout early. 10:03 left in the first quarter. Tigers are facing a 3rd and 16 after a holding call.

Gideon Davidson is finding his footing

10:45 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

11 yard run for Davidson. He's been getting this Clemson run game going lately after a slow start tot he season.

Clemson interception!

10:43 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Elliot Washington with blanket coverage and a beautiful interception. Textbook coverage right there.

Truly awful interception

10:39 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Attempted flea flicker turns into a brutal interception. No reason for that play and the true freshman does not know to not throw that ball.

First down Clemson

10:38 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

The Tigers start with a 3 play first down. Reynolds finds Tyler Brown to move the sticks.

Clemson starts with the ball

10:37 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

The Tigers offense gets the first chance.

Game time

10:30 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

It's just about kickoff. Let's get this underway.

Almost game time

10:20 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Almost time for another Clemson football game. The Tigers can make a nice statement with a road win here.

No weather delay in sight

10:03 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Finally, we can expect a game to not have a delay. Beautiful thing after a brutal start to the season with weather.

Will the travel affect Clemson?

09:55 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

It will be interesting to see how the travel affects the Tigers here. It's a long trip from the east coast.

Clemson vs. Cal NCAA 27 sim results

09:42 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

About an hour until kickoff

09:29 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Get ready for a late one folks. East coast viewers will be watching this one into the AM and then some.

Dabo Swinney arriving

09:14 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Here's a look at Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney arriving for work today as he and the Tigers look to continue their season turnaround.

Tait Reynolds second start

09:04 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

Clemson true freshman quarterback Tate Reynolds will make his second start, first start on the road. Let's see if he can build off that second half.

Staff score predictions

08:45 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

How to watch Clemson vs. Cal

08:34 PM ET, September 25 2026, Alexander Turri

This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Recap: Clemson takes down Cal on the west coast in dominant fashion

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