Saturday September 24, 2005 10:34am
(Sports Network) - Justin Forsett rushed for 234 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries as 13th-ranked California defeated New Mexico State, 41-13, at Aggie Memorial Stadium. Joe Ayoob ended 17-of-26 for 284 yards with a touchdown and three rushing scores for the Golden Bears (4-0), who began their season with four straight wins for the first time since 1996. Joey Vincent was 18-of-39 for 164 yards with two interceptions for the Aggies (0-4), who have dropped their first four games and are still looking to give new head coach Hal Mumme his first win with the club. California wasted no time getting on the board, as it needed only six plays before Forsett scored on a one-yard run. The extra point, though, was blocked. The big play on the opening drive was a 54-yard pass to Chris Manderino. New Mexico State countered with a 27-yard field goal by Conor Foley before the Golden Bears needed only two plays to widen the gap to 14-3. Forsett scampered for 39 yards before Ayoob hit DeSean Jackson for a 41-yard score with 9:23 remaining in the first quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff, though, the Aggies used a bit of trickery to pull within three points. Clint Jones fielded the kick before handing off the ball to Chris Williams, who raced downfield for what turned into an 88-yard score. Cal made it 20-10 late in the first quarter as Ayoob scored on a one-yard plunge. On the drive, Ayoob passed for 21 yards and the Bears were aided by a 15-yard defensive penalty. After NMSU missed a 38-yard field goal try, the Golden Bears capitalized by driving 79 yards in nine plays. Ayoob then capped the lengthy march with a five-yard run, his second score of the game, to make it 27-10 with 1:59 left in the first half. In the third quarter, California had a chance to extend the lead but Tom Schneider missed a 27-yard kick. The Aggies then drove 67 yards in 12 plays before settling for a 32-yard Foley field goal, making it 27-13 as the period expired. The Golden Bears capped the scoring with a pair of late touchdowns, as Ayoob rushed in from eight yards out and Terrell Williams scored on a two-yard run. Justine Buries ran for 107 yards on 20 attempts for New Mexico State.
Game Notes
Forsett had the fourth most single-game rushing yards in school history...The Golden Bears have won 12 straight regular-season games...California last lost a non-conference game on September 11, 2003 against Utah...The 1996 Golden Bears began 5-0...Cal leads the all-time series 3-0.
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