PULLMAN, Wash. – Quarterback Zach Maynard threw for a touchdown and ran for another as Cal beat Washington State 31-17 on Saturday night.
C.J. Anderson rushed for two touchdowns as the Bears (3-4, 2-2 Pacific-12 Conference) earned their eighth straight win over the Cougars.
Washington State (2-5, 0-4) has lost four in a row, and new coach Mike Leach is still looking for his first Pac-12 win.
Cal got a balanced ground attack from Anderson, Brendan Bigelow and Maynard, who each rushed for more than 50 yards.
Washington State continued to suffer offensive woes, switching quarterbacks in the first quarter. The Cougars had trouble punching the ball into the end zone when they got into scoring position.
The Bears scored first, after Michael Lowe's interception gave Cal the ball on its own 25.
On the third play, Maynard connected with his brother, Keenan Allen, on a short pass that turned into a 69-yard touchdown reception and a 7-0 Bears lead late in the first quarter.
On its next possession, Cal drove to WSU's 10 before Maynard was intercepted by Anthony Carpenter. Jeff Tuel, who replaced Connor Halliday at quarterback after Halliday was intercepted twice, then drove WSU 86 yards to the 3. But two incomplete passes and a short run made the Cougars settle for Andrew Furney's 20-yard field goal to cut Cal's lead to 7-3 in the second quarter.
Cal responded with a 75-yard drive, and Anderson ran in from the 4 to give the Bears a 14-3 lead they took into the third quarter.
WSU receiver Marquess Wilson, who caught four passes for 87 yards, was injured late in the first half and did not return.
Cal marched 71 yards on the opening drive of the second half, with Maynard running over from the 1-yard line for a 21-3 lead.
Washington State came back with a 75-yard drive, with Tuel passing eight yards to Brett Bartolone for a touchdown to narrow Cal's lead to 21-10 with 6:42 left in the third. That broke a string of six quarters in which WSU had not scored a touchdown.
© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.
• Read more articles by Nicholas K. Geranios
Order Reprint
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "Report Abuse" link below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.