California climbed out of a 17-point deficit to take a fourth-quarter lead at UNLV on Saturday, Oct. 3, then surrendered two touchdowns in a 39–31 loss. The Bears return to Berkeley at 2–3 overall with two home games next on their schedule.
Cal trailed 24–7 late in the third quarter before a touchdown and two-point conversion cut the gap. A recovered kickoff fumble produced a field goal, and a touchdown early in the fourth quarter put the Bears ahead 25–24. UNLV responded with an 80-yard scoring drive and later extended its lead to 39–25.
The Bears added a touchdown with 28 seconds left, but could not complete another comeback.
The box score makes the missed opportunity especially clear. Cal finished with 464 yards to UNLV’s 350 and held the ball longer, 31:17 to 28:43. Yet the Bears needed 83 plays for their total, compared with 61 for the Rebels. Their yardage advantage did not produce better efficiency on a per-play basis.
Cal also drew 16 penalties for 147 yards, while UNLV had seven for 67. The Bears converted five of 18 third downs and one of four fourth downs. Their offense was heavily weighted toward passing: 395 yards through the air and 69 on the ground, compared with UNLV’s 177 passing and 173 rushing.
