Kingston Lopa’s Three Interceptions Give Cal a 21-18 Upset Over Syracuse

Lopa’s late pick-six flipped a Syracuse 436-yard performance into a loss by turning key turnovers and special-teams miscues into decisive points.

Overview

California defeated Syracuse 21-18 at the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday after safety Kingston Lopa intercepted Steve Angeli three times and returned his second pick 24 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 4:51 left.
Syracuse outgained Cal 436 yards to 249 but committed 15 penalties for roughly 130 yards, turned the ball over multiple times and missed a 46-yard field goal that would have tied the game with 1:35 remaining.
Steve Angeli completed 24-of-49 passes for 306 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions, while Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele finished 21-of-34 for 182 yards and two touchdown passes.
Syracuse lost starting running back Tylik Hill early after he pulled up lame, saw transfer Ju’Juan Johnson step in with a short touchdown, and welcomed Justus Ross-Simmons back from eligibility drama with five catches for 82 yards.
The loss leaves both teams 1-1, hands Cal momentum before a home game with Wagner, and forces Syracuse into a short-week road trip to Pittsburgh on Thursday that will increase pressure on coach Fran Brown and his special-teams and discipline work.