Arizona State Football: 3 takeaways from Pac-12 takedown of Cal

2. Chase Garbers’ injury that could have major impacts

Chase Garbers has had an up-and-down start to the 2019 season. Even as Cal jumped out to a 4-0 start in the standings, he had three mediocre starts before finally breaking out in Week 4 against Ole Miss in Oxford. Through the first four games, Garbers was completing 57 percent of his passes — down four percent from his 2018 mark — with seven touchdowns and two interceptions.

In the first half against Arizona State, the quarterback was having a great start. Garbers completed nine of his first dozen passes, throwing for 117 yards. But a scramble on second down late in the second quarter could potentially change the course of the season for the Golden Bears. After falling awkwardly to the turf, Garbers laid immobile on the ground for a while. After heading to the locker room, Garbers came back to the sideline in the second half out of his pads and with a sling on his throwing arm.

If this injury keeps Garbers out long-term, it could derail a potentially glorious season in Berkeley. Cal turned to UCLA transfer Devon Modster, and the offense sputtered under his leadership. Modster finished 5-of-14 for only 21 yards. He also tossed an interception that prevented Cal from going up before halftime. The dropoff from Garbers to Modster is huge, and proved too much to overcome against the Sun Devils.