Freshman QB Sagapolutele Leads Cal's Resurgence Against Duke

On October 5th, 2025, Duke University's football team (3-2) travels across the country to face the University of California, Berkeley (Cal) Golden Bears (4-1) in a crucial conference matchup. This late-night showdown promises to be an exciting affair, as both teams boast talented offenses led by dynamic quarterbacks.

Duke's Darian Mensah has been making headlines, not just for his on-field performance, but also for the reported $8 million in NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) money he is set to earn this season. Mensah and the Blue Devils' offense have been one of the most productive in the country, averaging 453 yards and 32.3 points per game. However, they'll face a stiff test against a Cal defense that has shown the ability to rebound from tough outings.

The real story of this game, though, may be the emergence of Cal's freshman quarterback, Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. After a disappointing performance against San Diego State in Week 4, Sagapolutele bounced back with a solid effort on the road against Boston College. The young signal-caller has shown the potential to be a game-changer, and he'll look to continue his growth against a Duke defense that has struggled to stop the pass this season.

As the lights go down on the East Coast, this matchup between the Blue Devils and Golden Bears has all the makings of a classic "Pac-12 After Dark" showdown, with the potential to restore some of the magic that has been missing from the college football landscape since the conference's realignment.