Armed Forces Bowl: Jared Goff’s record-breaking game leads Cal to win vs Air Force
Jared Goff had a record-breaking performance in what was likely his final game as a member of the California Golden Bears in the Armed Forces Bowl win vs. Air Force.
Jared Goff is the new Pac-12 single-season leader for passing yards and touchdowns in a dominant performance against the Air Force Falcons in the Armed Forces Bowl. Goff broke the yardage record previously held by Oregon State’s Sean Mannion set in 2013 and the touchdown record previously set by Oregon’s Marcus Mariota last year.
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Goff also set the Cal bowl game record for pass yards with 467 on 25 of 37 passing, previously held by Aaron Rodgers, and his six touchdowns are tied for the second most in FBS bowl history and he had zero interceptions.
This likely will be the last game for Goff as a member of the Cal Bears and is expected to declare for the NFL Draft and is competing with Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch to be the first signal-caller drafted during the 2016 NFL Draft.
The junior quarterback was unstoppable all day, but it was Air Force getting the scoring started with a touchdown drive on the opening possession of the game, but Cal responded with two touchdowns before the end of the quarter to take a 14-7 lead entering the second quarter. It was the second quarter that saw a flurry of points with five total touchdowns (2 Air Force, 3 Cal), including three touchdowns from Goff to give him four at halftime and the Bears a 35-21 lead at the break.
His best throw of the afternoon may be on this 24-yard touchdown pass to receiver Kenny Lawler that made it a 28-14 game. He showed great accuracy and why he’s such a highly coveted NFL prospect.
The third quarter began, in the same way, the first half ended with Goff throwing a touchdown with Cal extending their lead to 45-21 before Air Force narrowed the deficit on a 57-yard touchdown pass from Karson Roberts to Timothy McVey.
That made it a 16-point game, but the Falcons couldn’t slow Goff who connected for a third time with Lawler for a score as the Bears took a 52-29 lead to the fourth quarter. Credit Air Force for playing until the final whistle before falling 55-36, but they didn’t have an answer for one of the best quarterbacks in Pac-12 history today.
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Goff had plenty of help with Bryce Treggs leading the team with 143 yards and he had one of Goff’s six scores. Darius Powe had the other two scores from Goff.
Cal finishes the season with an 8-5 record while Air Force closes the season with an 8-6 record.