The undefeated Miami Hurricanes will take on the California Golden Bears in a pivotal matchup this Saturday, following a narrow 38-34 victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies in their ACC opener.
Cal, one of the newest teams to the ACC, is one that Miami, currently ranked No. 8 in the Associated Press Top 25, has only played four times in the school’s history. This will also be just the second time the Hurricanes play in Berkeley since a victory in 1990.
TRAVEL IMPACT AND ROAD GAME DYNAMICS
Having played all of their games in Florida thus far, the Hurricanes have enjoyed the comforts of home and the uneasiness away teams feel in the South Florida humidity. Now, they must adapt to travel as they go to face off in the cooler nights of California. The long trek to the West Coast can impact routines, especially with a late kickoff. Miami will need to adjust to the time difference.
“The coaches said we’re going to start things a little bit later,” Miami tight end Elijah Arroyo said of the time difference and adjustment for the Hurricanes in a Tuesday press conference in Coral Gables. “Thursday morning might start an hour later. Friday, we’ll start an hour later, and then by that time, we should be set, should be good with the time change.”
CAM WARD: HEISMAN TROPHY CONTENDER
Miami quarterback Cam Ward has garnered attention as a Heisman Trophy contender — an award given annually to the top player of college football — in his first year with the Hurricanes. The senior transfer from Washington State has been instrumental in Miami’s success, throwing for over 300 yards in every game this season and recording 18 touchdowns in the first five weeks.
His connection to the West Coast makes this line of Golden Bears familiar, having played California twice when he played in the Pac-12 conference for the Cougars.
“In every aspect, he’s magical as a player, as a leader,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said of the senior quarterback. “He’s an alpha dog and his personality, his mentality, they match what he does on the field.”
Ward’s ability to lead Miami through challenges and deliver under pressure will be crucial against a formidable Cal defense.
FACING OFF AGAINST HOMETOWN HIGH SCHOOL QB FERNANDO MENDOZA
On the other side of the field, California quarterback Fernando Mendoza will also be a focal point of the game. A Miami native, Mendoza grew up just a stone’s throw from the Hurricanes’ campus and will have the unique opportunity to face off against his hometown team.
“I have personal implications really wanting to succeed and do well against Miami,” the Miami native, who grew up wanting to play for the Hurricanes, said Tuesday in Berkeley.
Mendoza has quickly made a name for himself as a key player for Cal, recently hitting a career-high of 303 yards passing as well as posting a 26-yard rush, the longest of his stay with the Bears. Interestingly, Mendoza’s father, also Fernando, played with Cristobal at Columbus High School, as the coach revealed in his press conference on Monday. The stakes will be high for Mendoza as he aims to prove himself against the program that once considered him as a walk-on.
As the Hurricanes prepare for this exciting road game — one that will follow ESPN’s famous “College Gameday” pregame show beforehand — all eyes will be on how they adapt to new challenges and maintain their mental toughness through a 3,000-mile journey. This new ACC rivalry will kick off at California Memorial Field at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
