California will host Virginia Tech in Berkeley for the first time on Saturday, bringing an infrequent series to California Memorial Stadium. The Golden Bears enter the matchup 2–3 overall and 1–1 in ACC play, while the Hokies arrive at 4–1 with the same conference record. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Pacific on ACC Network.
The schools have split their first two meetings. Cal won a 52–49 shootout in the 2003 Insight Bowl, a game in which Aaron Rodgers threw for 394 yards and accounted for four touchdowns. Virginia Tech evened the series last season with a 42–34 double-overtime victory in Blacksburg.
Cal's defense has created opportunities through takeaways, entering the week with seven interceptions and nine turnovers gained. Freshman tight end Taimane Purcell also gives the offense momentum after a 102-yard receiving performance at UNLV that included a 91-yard touchdown. Saturday's home game offers the Bears a chance to turn those flashes into a complete conference result.
