Fredrickson’s Kick Gives Cal a 52-49 Win

PHOENIX — After 98 points and 1,081 yards of offense, the wildest Insight Bowl came down to a 35-yard field goal try by a kicker who had missed five in a row.

Tyler Fredrickson made the final kick of his California career as time expired to give the Golden Bears a 52-49 victory over Virginia Tech on Friday night.

“Kickers have to have a short memory. That’s a little mantra,” the senior said. “You put that aside, and you go out and do your job.”

Fredrickson made only 15 of 30 kicks this season, but knows what it’s like to make the big ones. His 38-yard field goal beat USC, 34-31, in triple overtime on Sept. 27, the top-ranked Trojans’ only loss.

California’s Aaron Rodgers and Virginia Tech’s Bryan Randall each flirted with 400 yards passing in an aerial duel that saw both teams rally from 14-point deficits.

Rodgers, a sophomore who didn’t start until the fifth game, completed 27 for 35 passes for 394 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for two scores.

Randall completed 24 of 34 for 398 yards and tied an Insight Bowl record with four touchdown passes.

Kevin Jones, in his final game for the Hokies, rushed for 153 yards in 16 carries, including an 11-yard touchdown.

“I was pretty emotional,” Jones said. “I just went out there and gave it my all.”

Chris Lyman, starting in place of injured California standout Geoff McArthur, caught five passes for 149 yards, including a 33-yarder for a touchdown. He had only 107 yards receiving during the regular season.

The Golden Bears (8-6), in their first bowl game since 1996, fell behind, 21-7, in the first quarter, then roared back to take a 49-35 lead.

“We could have folded,” second-year California Coach Jeff Tedford said. “But you’re never going to find that in this team.”

Rodgers, who completed 15 of 17 for 245 yards in the second half, scored on an eight-yard run to put the Golden Bears ahead, 42-28, with 48 seconds left in the third quarter.

Virginia Tech (8-5) came back, though, and DeAngelo Hall reversed his field for a 52-yard punt return that tied the score at 49-49 with 3:11 remaining. After the game, Hall said he will give up his final season of eligibility.

Virginia Tech kicker Carter Warley, who had made 12 of 15 field goals entering the night, missed kicks of 40, 45 and 29 yards.

“I feel for Carter Warley,” Virginia Tech Coach Frank Beamer said.