Cal scores 24 points in the second half and pulls away from San Diego State

Fernando Mendoza threw two touchdowns, Jaivian Thomas ran for 169 yards and California came back strong in the second half, defeating visiting San Diego State 31-10 in a penalty-filled non-conference game on Saturday night.

The Golden Bears (3-0) led only 7-3 at halftime before scoring on their first four possessions of the second half to take a 31-10 lead.

Kadarius Calloway opened the offensive wave with a 7-yard run. Mendoza then hit Corey Dyches for a 20-yard touchdown pass, Ryan Coe kicked a 48-yard field goal and Mendoza found Nyziah Hunter for a 15-yard touchdown.

The only points the Aztecs (1-2) scored in the second half came when Javance Tupou'ata-Johnson hit Jordan Napier with a 40-yard touchdown pass, temporarily bringing the visitors within 24-10 with 11:05 minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Cal, playing without star running back Jaydn Ott, managed 473 total yards, including 275 yards on the ground. Thomas rushed for 169 yards on 17 carries, while Calloway finished with 87 yards on nine carries.

Mendoza, who opened Cal's scoring with an 8-yard run in the first quarter, completed 21 of 29 passes for 198 yards and both of his touchdowns. He threw one interception.

Hunter (52 yards) and Dyches (48 yards) each had four catches for the Golden Bears, who play their first Atlantic Coast Conference game next week at Florida State.

San Diego State, without starting quarterback Danny O'Neil, who missed the game with a knee injury, totaled 276 yards. Tupou'ata-Johnson completed 13 of 29 passes for 156 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, while Marquez Cooper was the Aztecs' best runner with 87 yards on 22 carries.

27 penalties over 233 yards brought the game to a standstill.

— Field level media