Cal Doesn’t Trip Again in Midwest, Beats Kansas

California couldn’t forget its last trip to the Midwest.

The Bears’ embarrassing 41-14 loss at Purdue two weeks ago was on their minds Thursday night when they beat No. 24 Kansas, 27-23, in the Jayhawks’ first game as a ranked team in 16 seasons.

“We had to prove something because of (the Purdue game),” Cal Coach Keith Gilbertson said. “The win was brought about by our seniors.”

The leading senior was Russell White, who broke Chuck Muncie’s school all-purpose running record as the Bears (2-1) dominated the line of scrimmage.

“This team is back on track,” White said. “When you get spanked, you don’t do it again.”

Sophomore quarterback Dave Barr got into the act, accounting for two touchdowns while Cal held Kansas 27 points below its season average.

“We had to prove to ourselves about where we were,” senior defensive end Scott Roseman said. “I think we’re back.”

White rushed 39 times for 153 yards and had a nine-yard pass reception, boosting his all-purpose yardage to 4,273 to Muncie’s 4,194.

“If you’re hungry, you get fed,” White said. “We got fed tonight. Now we just have to stay hungry.”

Kansas (3-1), which was last ranked in 1976, closed to within 20-17 on Maurice Douglas’ 31-yard touchdown run with 4:22 to play in the third quarter after Charley Bowen’s 21-yard interception return.

Moments later Dan Eichloff attempted a 47-yard field goal that could have tied it.

But Brad Bowers blocked the kick and the ball rolled to the Kansas 40. Six plays later, Barr’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Sean Dawkins restored the Bears’ 10-point lead.

“The turning point had to be the opportunity to tie the game in the third quarter and we had the field goal blocked,” Kansas Coach Glen Mason said. “We had to make some plays work and we didn’t do it. We were very fortunate to be in this game at halftime.”

After Dawkins’ touchdown, the Jayhawks scored on a halfback option pass from Matt Gay to Rodney Harris that covered 33 yards. A two-point conversion failed, leaving Cal with a four-point lead with 8:13 to play.

The Bears ran out all but 23 seconds on a drive that ended inside the Kansas 10-yard-line.

Cal led, 13-10, at halftime and made it 20-10 on Barr’s one-yard scoring run with 7:02 to play in the third quarter.

Kansas quarterback Chip Hilleary, who entered the game averaging more than 237 yards on offense, didn’t complete a pass in the first 22 minutes.