What Is 2019 Cal Golden Bears football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 8–5 record under head coach Justin Wilcox. They played their home games at California Memorial Stadium and competed in the Pac-12 Conference.

Key Facts

Finished the 2019 season with an 8–5 overall record
Posted a 4–5 record in Pac-12 Conference play
Defeated Illinois in the 2019 Redbox Bowl, 35–20
Head coach Justin Wilcox entered his third season in 2019
Played home games at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley

Overview

The 2019 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley during the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by head coach Justin Wilcox in his third year, the team competed in the Pac-12 Conference and played its home games at California Memorial Stadium.

The Golden Bears finished the regular season with a 7–5 record, securing a bowl berth for the second consecutive year under Wilcox. Their performance marked continued progress from prior seasons, reflecting improvements in defensive discipline and overall team cohesion.

Record: The team finished with an 8–5 overall record, including a 4–5 mark in Pac-12 Conference play, showing modest improvement from 2018.
Bowl Game: California defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini 35–20 in the 2019 Redbox Bowl, played on December 30 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Head Coach: Justin Wilcox served as head coach, continuing his efforts to rebuild the program with an emphasis on defensive strength and disciplined play.
Home Stadium: All home games were played at California Memorial Stadium, a historic venue located on the UC Berkeley campus with a capacity of approximately 63,000.
Key Player: Quarterback Chase Garbers started all 13 games, throwing for 2,073 yards and 16 touchdowns, while also contributing on the ground.

Performance & Season Highlights

The 2019 campaign featured a mix of competitive performances and notable achievements, including a strong finish to the regular season and a decisive bowl victory. The team showed resilience in close games and demonstrated growth on both sides of the ball.

Defensive Improvement: The Golden Bears allowed just 19.5 points per game, ranking among the top third of FBS teams in defensive efficiency.
Non-Conference Play: Opened the season with a win over UC Davis, a 27–10 victory, setting a positive tone early in the year.
Rivalry Game: Lost to Stanford 24–20 in the 122nd Big Game, missing a chance to reclaim the Axe despite a close finish.
Offensive Output: Averaged 27.2 points per game and 379.2 total yards per game, led by a balanced offensive attack.
Bowl Victory: The 35–20 win over Illinois in the Redbox Bowl marked the team’s first back-to-back winning seasons since 2011–2012.
Injuries: Quarterback Garbers missed two games due to injury, impacting offensive consistency during the middle portion of the season.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2019 season compared to recent years in key statistical categories:

Season	Overall Record	Pac-12 Record	Points Per Game	Bowl Result
2019	8–5	4–5	27.2	W 35–20 vs. Illinois (Redbox Bowl)
2018	7–6	4–5	24.5	W 15–14 vs. TCU (Cheez-It Bowl)
2017	5–7	3–6	22.8	No bowl appearance
2016	5–7	3–6	23.1	No bowl appearance
2015	5–7	3–6	25.3	No bowl appearance

The 2019 season represented incremental progress under Wilcox, with improved scoring and a winning record for the second straight year. While Pac-12 standings remained mid-tier, the consistent bowl appearances signaled a program moving in the right direction after years of sub-.500 finishes.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was significant for the long-term trajectory of Cal football, reinforcing momentum built in 2018 and raising expectations for future competitiveness. Success on the field helped boost morale, recruiting, and fan engagement during a rebuilding phase.

Program Momentum: Back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2011–2012 signaled a potential turning point under Wilcox’s leadership.
Recruiting Boost: Improved results helped attract higher-rated recruits, including several four-star prospects in the 2020 class.
Defensive Identity: The team’s strong defensive performance reinforced Wilcox’s reputation as a defensive-minded coach.
Bowl Revenue: The Redbox Bowl appearance generated approximately $1.2 million in revenue for the athletic department.
Alumni Engagement: Increased on-field success led to higher attendance and renewed interest from Cal alumni and donors.
Conference Standing: Though not a division contender, Cal remained competitive in most Pac-12 games, often within one score.

Overall, the 2019 Cal Golden Bears season was a step forward in the broader effort to restore the program to national relevance, combining disciplined play, player development, and tangible results on the scoreboard.