Following the team's first losing season during Tedford's tenure as head coach, the Golden Bears improved to 7–5 (4–5 in the Pac-12) to finish fourth in the North Division.

Junior transfer Zach Maynard, the half brother of wide receiver Keenan Allen, was named the starting quarterback on May 14.

It saw both quarterbacks each start their first career games for their respective teams: Cal's Zach Maynard had transferred from Buffalo in 2010, while Fresno State's Derek Carr had redshirted the previous season.

After both teams traded field goals, Cal added to its lead on a 7-yard pass from Maynard to tight end Anthony Miller to make it 16–6 at the half.

[19] Cal's home opener was the first matchup for the two teams, with Presbyterian making the longest trip for an away game in school history.

The Blue Hose got on the scoreboard when cornerback Justin Bethel blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown, with the PAT missing.

Backup running backs Covaughn DeBoskie-Johnson and Dasarte Yarnway rushed for 6 and 7-yard touchdowns, respectively, for Cal's final scores.

On the Bears' opening possession Zach Maynard connected with receiver Keenan Allen for a 90-yard score, the longest reception in school history.

[21] Washington responded on the ensuing possession on a 20-yard touchdown reception by tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins from Keith Price.

After the Bears opened the second quarter with a 29-yard field goal, the Huskies scored their third straight touchdown with a 20-yard reception by Seferian-Jenkins.

The Bears had a chance in the final minutes of the game and were able to drive to the Huskies' 2-yard line, but were unable to get the ball into the end zone, making Steve Sarkisian's record against Cal 3–0.

The Cal defense was able to hold Oregon scoreless in the second quarter, while a 54-yard field goal, a career-high for kicker Giorgio Tavecchio, and a 12-yard touchdown reception by receiver Keenan Allen gave the Bears the lead 15–14.

Darron Thomas was intercepted in Cal territory in the closing minutes of the half for the game's sole turnover, but the Bears were unable to add to their lead when a 40-yard field goal attempt was blocked.

Maynard was then intercepted on the Cal 23 on the ensuing possession to set up a 29-yard field goal, and receiver Brandon Carswell had a 7-yard reception late in the quarter.

After the Bears made a 37-yard field goal, Hays was picked off by linebacker Mychal Kendricks which set up a 12-yard touchdown reception by Keenan Allen to make it 20–0 at the half.

Quarterback Zach Maynard scored on a 4-yard run in the third quarter, while a second interception of Hays set up a 29-yard field goal attempt which missed.

[24] Cal got on the board first on 1-yard run by Isi Sofele that was set up by a fumble recovered from UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince.

Anderson that was set up by a muffed UCLA punt return, but were unable to tie the game when a 42-yard field goal attempt missed.

Zach Maynard threw for 199 yards and was intercepted four times, with UCLA safety Tevin McDonald accounting for three picks.

Washington State had a chance to score some points at the beginning of the second quarter on a 52-yard field goal attempt, but the snap went high and resulted in a 28-yard loss.

The victory snapped a four-game losing streak to Oregon State going back to 2006 and made Cal bowl-eligible for the eighth time in nine-year after finishing the previous season with a 5–7 record.

[28] Cal started out the 114th Big Game by driving into Stanford territory on the first play, but Isi Sofele fumbled the ball away on the second.

The Bears responded with a 25-yard field goal and after Andrew Luck was intercepted, were able to jump ahead with a 17-yard touchdown reception by Keenan Allen.

Cal was able to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter with a 2-yard reception by tight end Spencer Hagan and a successful two-point conversion.

Arizona State forced a fumble on the kickoff, setting up a 4-yard touchdown reception by tight end Trevor Kohl to jump ahead 28–27 at the half.

[29] Cal scored first on a 47-yard field goal, then committed its first turnover of the game when Zach Maynard was intercepted by cornerback Quandre Diggs.

Texas quarterback David Ash threw for 142 yards and a score and was sacked twice, but earned Offensive MVP honors.

Receiver Marquise Goodwin had 49 yards through the air and 33 on the ground with a touchdown reception, as the Longhorns outrushed the Bears 109–7, giving Cal their lowest single-game rushing total since 2000.

[34] Coach and former NFL linebacker Todd Howard was named as Lupoi's replacement after having fulfilled the same role at Washington State the previous season.

Linebacker Mychal Kendricks and offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz were taken in the second round, punter Bryan Anger in the third, receiver Marvin Jones in the fifth, and safety D. J. Campbell and defensive end Trevor Guyton in the seventh.