Fernando Mendoza threw for two touchdowns and ran for another and Cal finally secured its elusive first Atlantic Coast Conference victory by hanging on to beat Wake Forest 46-36.

Cal won its first ACC game by beating Wake Forest 46-36 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on Friday night. The summary: CAL46, WAKE FOREST 36 RECORDS: CAL (5-4, 1-4 ACC), WAKE FOREST (4-5, 2-3 ACC) PLAYER OF THE GAME (Offense): Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

A Wake Forest fan wears a football hat during the first half of an ACC football game on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. The California Golden Bears defeated the Wake Forest Deacons, 46-36.