As a freshman a year ago, Chase Garbers was benched at halftime for ineffectiveness during his first trip to a bowl game. The California quarterback made his second appearance in the postseason much more memorable for both himself and the Golden Bears.
Garbers threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score, leading California to a 35-20 win over Illinois on Monday in the Redbox Bowl.
"He's taken that next step and he's worked at it, whether it's the weight room, meetings, practice" Golden Bears coach Justin Wilcox said. "He has just continued to work at it and guys respect him because of how hard he works. It really showed today."
Garbers, who had been in and out of the lineup all season because of a shoulder injury, was named the offensive MVP of the game. He completed 22 of 31 passes for 272 yards with TD passes of 4, 3, 2 and 6 yards. He also scored on quarterback sneak from the 1 early in the second quarter.
Christopher Brown Jr. ran for 120 yards on 20 carries, and Makai Polk caught five passes for a season-high 105 yards as Cal (8-5) won its first bowl game since 2015.
Brandon Peters passed for 273 yards and one touchdown for Illinois (6-7) in his return after sitting out the regular-season finale because of a concussion. The Illini lost despite outgaining the Bears in total yards 450-395.
"We didn't play well enough. You have to give Cal credit for that," Illinois coach Lovie Smith said. "Sometimes yards can be a little misleading. They got in the end zone more than we did."
Music City
Louisville 38, Mississippi State 28: Micale Cunningham threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 81 more, and the Cardinals capped coach Scott Satterfield's debut season by beating the Bulldogs.
