[1] Running back Jahvid Best underwent surgery to tighten a ligament that had been injured when he dislocated his left elbow against Colorado State on September 27, 2008.

Riley's experience and comfort level with the offense were cited as factors in him winning the starting job over sophomore Brock Mansion and freshman Beau Sweeney.

[4] The Bears were picked to finish second in the Pac-10 behind reigning conference champion USC in the annual preseason poll of media members who regularly cover the Pac-10.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Bears recovered a fumble by Maryland returner Torrey Smith, resulting in Best's second touchdown run of the game from 2 yards.

[8] Cal scored first on a 1-yard run by Kevin Riley, followed by the Eagles marching downfield led by quarterback Matt Nichols to tie the game on a 4-yard pass to Grant Williams.

[14] The Bears put their new #6 ranking on the line against the unranked Ducks, who had beaten #14 Utah the previous week, snapping the Utes' 16-game winning streak.

The Ducks opened the second quarter with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Jeremiah Masoli to tight end Ed Dickson, with a successful two-point conversion.

However, after Kevin Riley threw his first interception of the season to USC safety Taylor Mays in the end zone, the Bears, would remain scoreless until the fourth quarter.

Following a USC field goal, the Trojans attempted a fourth down conversion in the closing seconds of the first quarter, but were held by the Bears.

USC wide receiver Damian Williams then returned the punt 66 yards for a touchdown and the Trojans added a field goal late in the second quarter.

[22] Cal won for the first time in Southern California during Jeff Tedford's tenure as head coach, having previously been 0–7 against UCLA and USC while on the road.

Cal wide receiver Jeremy Ross returned the opening kickoff for 54 yards, which set up the first score of the day for the Bears on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Kevin Riley to Jahvid Best.

[30] Jahvid Best was able to score on a direct snap from 7 yards out, but sustained a severe concussion when while hurdling defender Tim Clark, he was pushed in the air by safety Cameron Collins, causing him to fall on his right shoulder and neck.

[31] Oregon State came back after play resumed to extend their lead to 21–7 when Canfield threw a 3-yard pass to Jordan Bishop in the final two minutes of the half.

In the fourth quarter, Oregon State put together a scoring drive over six minutes long that culminated in a 24-yard touchdown run by Jacquizz Rodgers.

In their final home season game, the Bears started backup running back Shane Vereen in place of Jahvid Best, who was still recovering from a concussion sustained the previous week.

The Bears defense however was able to hold the Wildcats and Cal capitalized on a 14-yard punt when Riley connected with Skylar Curran for a 27-yard touchdown, with the two-point conversion attempt failing.

However, the extra point attempt was botched, leaving Arizona with the possibility of forcing overtime with a touchdown and successful two-point conversion with just over a minute to play.

The Cardinal had scored a combined 106 points in two previous games against higher ranked opponents, with consecutive upsets over Oregon and USC, two teams which had blown out Cal 42–3 and 30–3, respectively.

[38] The loss, as well as a double overtime win later in the day by Oregon over Arizona, eliminated Stanford from Rose Bowl contention and the possibility of sharing the Pac-10 conference title.

Star running back Jahvid Best missed his third straight game since sustaining a severe concussion against Oregon State on November 7.

The Bears were unable to capitalize on a 65-yard kickoff return by Isi Sofele and a fourth down conversion attempt was halted at the Washington 13-yard line with six and a half minutes left in the third quarter.

Utah's comeback began with a 61-yard kickoff return by Shaky Smithson that helped set up the first touchdown pass of the night for Wynn on a 6-yard strike to Kendrick Moeai.

The second half saw the game seesaw back and forth defensively until Kevin Riley was sacked, resulting in a fumble which the Utes recovered late in the third quarter.

Cal was able to hold Utah to a field goal and responded on the next possession by driving downfield, allowing Vereen to score his second touchdown of the night on a 1-yard run.

Utah put up the first points of the fourth quarter on a field goal, and Stevenson Sylvester intercepted Riley on a tipped pass that he was able to return for a 27-yard touchdown.

[47] Former NFL players Akili Smith and Ronnie Bradford joined the Cal coaching staff March 12, 2010 as administrative assistants for the offense and defense, respectively.

[48] Cal was represented at the East–West Shrine Game by Mike Tepper and Verran Tucker,[49] and at the Senior Bowl by Tyson Alualu and Syd'Quan Thompson.

Offensive linemen Chet Teofilo and Mike Tepper signed undrafted free agent contracts with the Dallas Cowboys on April 24.

Wide receiver Verran Tucker joined them on April 26, the same day that linebacker Devin Bishop signed a free agent contract with Denver.