Late field goal saves Golden Bears

TEMPE, Ariz. – After trying to give the game away for most of the afternoon, California pulled itself together just in time.

Cal mounted a dramatic fourth-quarter drive against one of the Pac-10’s top defenses to defeat Arizona State 23-21 Saturday on a 24-yard field goal by Giorgio Tavecchio with 21 seconds to play.

That’s how the Golden Bears prevailed on a day they committed 12 penalties for 115 yards, fumbled four times – losing two – and missed two field goals.

“It wasn’t pretty by any means,” Cal coach Jeff Tedford said. “But when you run into games like this, it’s real important for people to dig down deep and believe in each other, and I thought that was evident today with our team.”

The Golden Bears (6-2, 3-2 Pac-10) have won three straight after back-to-back losses to Oregon and USC by a combined 72-6.

Tavecchio bounced back after hooking a 39-yarder with 5:46 to go and the Bears down 21-20.

After Cal stuffed ASU (4-4, 2-3) on its next possession, the Golden Bears took over at their 19 with 3:16 to go.

Quarterback Kevin Riley led the march through the shadows in Sun Devil Stadium, completing 5 of 7 passes for 85 yards on a drive that officially covered 74 yards. The Bears had to overcome a personal foul by receiver Marvin Jones, who grabbed a defender’s face mask.

“He showed what I know Kevin is really made of,” Tedford said. “He’s a great competitor.”

Still, Cal nearly blew it on a bizarre play call on second-and-goal at ASU’s 5.

Tailback Shane Vereen took a direct snap, feinted toward the line and then threw a wobbly pass for Anthony Miller in the end zone. ASU linebacker Vontaze Burfict appeared to have a shot at an interception but bobbled the ball.

On the next play, Riley took a knee, and Tavecchio trotted on and made the chip shot.

“I was praying for it,” said Tavecchio, who also connected from 25 and 51 yards. “Something inside me just told me that I knew I was going to get another chance.”

Tavecchio had missed two kicks – from 34 and 39 yards – but said he didn’t lose confidence.

“I was like, ‘I’ve been here before,’ ” he said. “Just kick the ball. It’s not rocket science.”

ASU’s defense had kept it in the game, but the Sun Devils appeared worn out down the stretch.

“With three minutes left, I think they had to go about 70 or 80 yards,” linebacker Mike Nixon said. “As a defense, you obviously want that situation. It’s on us to win the game.”

On a sunny, 74-degree afternoon, the two middle-of-the-Pac-10 squads combined for 23 penalties for 238 yards. They also had a total of six fumbles and five turnovers.

The difference was Riley, who passed for 351 yards and two touchdowns, and did not throw an interception. Cal needed Riley on a day its star tailback, Jahvid Best, ran for 63 yards, or barely half his average of 110.7 ypg.