In their 18th season under head coach Slip Madigan, the Gaels compiled a 6–2 record and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 106 to 41.
The season ended in January with a 20–13 victory over Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl,[1][2] led by sophomore back Mike Klotovich.
The preceding year's Cal team were undefeated and ended second-ranked in the final AP poll.
[16] Eight days after losing a close game to Fordham, the Gaels upset previously undefeated Santa Clara 7–0 before 60,000 at Kezar in San Francisco.
[17] After the regular season, the Gaels were invited to play unbeaten and #11-ranked Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on January 2, 1939.