Cal QB Mendoza preparing for wet Oregon weather that doomed Goff

BERKELEY — Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza began his Wednesday afternoon news conference by thanking the equipment staff for spraying his hands and keeping the football wet throughout practice to prepare for Saturday’s game at No. 6 Oregon in Eugene, where the forecast calls for an 80 percent chance of rain.

“I don’t believe they get as much love as they need,” the redshirt freshman said of the Bears’ equipment crew.

The Ducks (7-1, 4-1 in Pac-12) would be a challenge in any environment, but in front of 54,000 raucous fans at Autzen Stadium — and especially in bad weather — the assignment will be tougher still for Cal (3-5, 1-4).

Ten years ago, another Cal freshman quarterback was greeted by monsoon rains in Eugene and did not fare well. Jared Goff, who was leading the nation in passing yards at the time, could not grip the football and completed just 3 of 7 attempts for 11 yards before getting the hook in a 55-16 defeat.

Mendoza grew up in Miami, where he says humid conditions helped prepare him for games like this one.

“Around 3 p.m. in the fall and football time, there is always rain and thunderstorms,” he said. “So personally, I am very comfortable throwing in the rain. I’ve done it my whole life.

“I’ve played in a lot of torrential downpour games. I don’t think that should be a problem.”

Offensive coordinator Jake Spavital said Mendoza is coping well with the daily wet-ball drill.

“You might as well make it extremely hard in practice,” he said, “and hopefully the weather is not as bad when we get into the game.”

Running back Jaydn Ott, who has been cleared to face Oregon after leaving the USC game in the fourth quarter, said Mendoza has his full confidence.

“I’m never worried about Fernando. He’ll be fine,” Ott said.

Mendoza said he’s excited to play at Autzen, perhaps the loudest stadium in the Pac-12.

“I want to play against the highest team in the most hostile environment and put myself under the most stress,” he said. “So I believe this game is going to help me a lot as a player.”

FRESHMAN MEETS THE HEISMAN WINNER

Cade Uluave, a freshman inside linebacker from South Jordan, Utah, made his first career start for the Bears on Saturday against USC.

Playing the spot vacated by All-Pac-12 standout Jackson Sirmon — out for the season with a torn biceps muscle — Uluave recorded a career-high 10 tackles in the 50-49 loss to the Trojans.

But the moment he’ll remember for years came in the third quarter when he hit reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, causing a fumble that wound up as a 23-yard loss for USC.

“During the play everything just kind of opened up and it was almost like just me and him were just staring at each other,” Uluave said of his encounter with Williams.

“I just ran there. . . the ball came loose. I wish I could have got the ball, but I ended up with the sack. I stood up and looked around and, ‘Wow! That was awesome.’ It was just a really cool experience.”

DUCKS HONORING DAVE WILCOX

Before Cal coach Justin Wilcox played at Oregon, his father Dave was a guard and defensive end for the Ducks in 1962 and ’63. He went on to an 11-year career as a linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers, which landed him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Wilcox died in April at the age of 80 and Oregon is paying tribute to him this season with decals on the back of the players’ helmets bearing his uniform No. 64.