SYRACUSE (Interstat) — California defeated Syracuse 21-18 on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in an NCAA Football Bowl Division game at JMA Wireless Dome. The visiting Golden Bears scored seven points in each of the first three quarters, while the home Orange scored nine in the first, six in the second and three in the third. California evened its season record at 1-1. Syracuse also moved to 1-1. The game unfolded indoors at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, N.Y., with California leaving with a narrow road win.

Syracuse opened the scoring in the first quarter when Tripp Woody connected on a 25-yard field goal with 12:37 remaining. The Orange added to their lead early in the second quarter when Woody made a 33-yard field goal with 14:44 left. California had an opportunity to answer later in the second, but Towns McGough missed a 46-yard field goal attempt with 11:16 remaining. Syracuse then found the end zone when Steve Angeli completed a short pass to the right to Daunte Bacheyie, who caught the ball near the California 4-yard line and finished a 23-yard touchdown play with 8:50 left. The Orange attempted a two-point rush, but it failed. California responded at 7:15 of the second quarter when Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele completed a short pass to the left to Chase Hendricks for a 14-yard touchdown. McGough made the extra point.

The Golden Bears continued to chip away in the third quarter. At the 7:15 mark, Sagapolutele threw a short pass to the left to Jordan King, who caught it near the Syracuse 2-yard line and scored on a 2-yard touchdown. McGough again converted the extra point. Syracuse answered later in the third when Ju’Juan Johnson rushed up the middle for a 2-yard touchdown with 1:38 remaining. The Orange tried a two-point rush, but it failed. In the fourth quarter, Syracuse had chances to change the outcome. Woody missed a 31-yard field goal with 9:30 remaining and later missed a 46-yard field goal with 1:35 left. California’s defense held on the final possessions, and the Golden Bears secured the three-point win.

Steve Angeli, a 6-foot-2, 211-pound quarterback from Westfield, N.J., was listed as Syracuse’s top key performer. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, a 6-3, 225-pound quarterback from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, was California’s top listed performer. Syracuse also received listed contributions from David Omopariola, a 6-3, 244-pound linebacker from Baltimore, Md.; Zamondre Merriweather, a 6-3, 210-pound wide receiver from Valencia, Calif.; Darius Johnson, a 5-10, 180-pound wide receiver from Carol City, Fla.; Darien Williams, a 6-0, 185-pound wide receiver from Syracuse, N.Y.; Daunte Bacheyie, a 6-5, 210-pound tight end from Sylvan Beach, N.Y.; Umari Hatcher, a 6-3, 181-pound wide receiver from Woodbridge, Va.; and Justus Ross-Simmons, a 6-3, 200-pound wide receiver from Rochester, N.Y. The Syracuse team unit also was listed among the key performers.

Additional Syracuse names included Ahmad Miller, a 6-0, 210-pound running back from Memphis, Tenn.; Demetres Samuel Jr., a 6-1, 195-pound defensive back from Palm Bay, Fla.; Shavane Anderson Jr.; Ju’Juan Johnson, a 5-11, 203-pound safety from Lafayette, La.; Tylik Hill, a 5-9, 205-pound running back from Asbury Park, N.J.; Jimmy Gregg, a 6-1, 195-pound punter from Morgantown, W.Va.; Angus Davies, a 6-1, 195-pound punter from Torquay, Victoria, Australia; Rashard Perry, a 6-3, 278-pound defensive lineman from Buffalo, N.Y.; Tripp Woody, a 5-9, 190-pound kicker from Waxhaw, N.C.; Davien Kerr, a 184-pound defensive back; Fran Brown Jr., a 5-11, 210-pound linebacker from Medford, N.J.; Trevion Mack, a 6-6, 320-pound offensive lineman from Mounds View, Minn.; Jamie Tremble, a 6-4, 208-pound tight end from Johns Creek, Ga.; Tunmise Adeleye, a 6-4, 290-pound defensive lineman from Katy, Texas; Nazir Ward, a 6-0, 170-pound defensive back from Miami, Fla.; Keyshawn Johnson, a 6-3, 250-pound defensive lineman from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Towns McGough, a 6-0, 191-pound kicker from Auburn, Ala.; Gary Bryant III, a 6-1, 230-pound linebacker from Baltimore, Md.; Dillan Fontus, a 6-4, 286-pound defensive lineman from Arverne, N.Y.; Chris Peal, a 6-1, 190-pound defensive back from Charlotte, N.C.; Nissi Ogbebor, a 6-6, 300-pound defensive lineman from Ottawa, Canada; Braheem Long Jr., a 6-0, 176-pound defensive back from Camden, N.J.; Antoine Deslauriers, a 6-1, 235-pound linebacker from Montreal, Canada; and Chris D’Appolonia, a 6-3, 230-pound linebacker from Cranberry Township, Pa.

California’s listed performers beyond Sagapolutele included Jae’on Young; Adam Mohammed; Ashten Emory, a 5-11, 195-pound running back from Dallas, Texas; Chase Hendricks, a 6-0, 195-pound wide receiver from St. Louis, Mo.; the California team unit; Ian Strong, a 6-3, 210-pound wide receiver from Coram, N.Y.; Mason Mini; Taimane Purcell; Cooper Perry, a 6-1, 194-pound wide receiver from Scottsdale, Ariz.; Jordan King, a 6-2, 210-pound wide receiver from Portland, Ore.; Kyion Grayes, a 6-0, 185-pound wide receiver from Chandler, Ariz.; AJ Tuitele, a 6-2, 215-pound linebacker from North Las Vegas, Nev.; Daniel Harris, a 6-2, 175-pound defensive back from Miami, Fla.; Kingston Lopa, a 6-5, 198-pound defensive back from Sacramento, Calif.; Cam Sidney, a 5-11, 185-pound defensive back from Riverside, Calif.; and JD McKinley, a 6-2, 250-pound linebacker from Corona, Calif.

The result gave California a split of its first two games. The Golden Bears opened the season with a 45-24 home loss to UCLA on Sept. 5. Syracuse also moved to 1-1 after opening with a 66-3 home win over New Hampshire on Sept. 5. California returns home to face Wagner on Sept. 19. Syracuse travels to Pittsburgh on Sept. 17. The Golden Bears will then host Clemson on Sept. 25 before playing at UNLV on Oct. 3. The Orange will play at Connecticut on Oct. 3 after the Pittsburgh game.

California’s win came despite Syracuse’s chances late. The Orange moved the ball into scoring position in the fourth quarter but could not convert either field goal attempt. Woody’s 31-yard miss with 9:30 remaining kept the margin at one score. His 46-yard miss with 1:35 left ended Syracuse’s final threat. The Golden Bears ran out the remaining clock and left the JMA Wireless Dome with the road victory. The game was played as part of the NCAA Football Bowl Division schedule. Both teams will continue conference and nonconference play in the coming weeks.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Syracuse 42, California 38. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Syracuse with a 64 percent probability to win.