Cal QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele injury update after scary hit

California quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele exited the Golden Bears' game against the UNLV Rebels just before the end of the first half after taking a hit that caused a collision to his head.

Sagapolutele was evaluated on the sideline after being taken down by UNLV linebacker Elias Rudolph just after getting a pass off. The Cal sophomore quarterback hit his head on the turf as he was wrestled to the ground.

Bad news for Cal fans.

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has exited the game before the end of the first half after taking a hit from a UNLV defender that sent him to the ground and appeared to cause him to hit his head.

He is currently being evaluated on the sideline.#UNLVFB#Cal

— Armani Lingo (@armani_lingo8) October 3, 2026

He attempted to go back to the huddle for the next play, but teammate Ian Strong, a transfer wide receiver, waved in the medical staff, who provided immediate attention to Sagapolutele.

Sagapolutele had completed 19-of-27 passes for 195 yards with a touchdown and a pick. Jackson Brousseau ended the first half in his place. Cal trailed the Rebels, 24-7, at the time of the injury.

Cal WR Ian Strong is a good teammate

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele appears to have a head injury, somehow is allowed to return to the huddle before Strong stops him and calls for help pic.twitter.com/OBDieOH7VB

— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) October 3, 2026

JKS injury update for Cal QB

Sagapolutele was seen on the sideline at the start of the second half with his helmet off. A sign that the Golden Bears' play caller will end his day. He was officially ruled out, according to On3 Sports.

Brousseau is under center. He's thrown 5-of-8 for 38 yards as the Golden Bears continue to trail with a 17-point deficit.

Cal entered the game with a 2-2 overall record, 1-1 during ACC play. Sagapolutele through four games compiled 985 yards, 7 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Sagapolutele, watching from the sideline, hopes to have a chance to make a difference in the game. The CBS broadcast gave an update, saying that he is "clearly frustrated" as he watches the game from the sideline.

CBS Broadcast says Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is “clearly frustrated” on the sideline.

Jackson Brousseau is still in at QB for Cal.

— Joaquin Ruiz (@WalkingRuiz) October 3, 2026

Cal lose star defensive back Kingston Lopa

Cal saw its starting quarterback go down with an injury, but he wasn't the only star on the Golden Bears' football team to have gone out injured.

Star defensive back and Defensive Player of the Year candidate Kingston Lopa left the game against UNLV early with an upper body injury. He was evaluated on the sideline after walking off the field on his own merit.

He did not return to the game as he was seen on the sideline in street clothes in the second half. Lopa leads the nation with five interceptions in the 2026 season.

How did Cal finish without their rising quarterback?

Brousseau got his feel for the game and delivered a short pass to Carson Perry-Smith, who took the ball the length of the field for a 53-yard touchdown with 4:40 left in the third quarter. It was his first collegiate touchdown in his career.

The Golden Bears converted a two-point conversion to cut the lead down, 24-15.

HOUSE CALL 🏠@carson_ps17 scores the first touchdown of his career with a 53-yard scamper.

📺 @CBSSports#GoBearspic.twitter.com/u4Y0pTlNkL

— Cal Football (@CalFootball) October 3, 2026

A turn of momentum happened for Cal. On the ensuing kickoff, UNLV returner Peyton Zachary fumbled and it was recovered by Cal freshman Niles Davis.

The Golden Bears offense turned it into three points, connecting on a 38-yard field goal from Towns McGough. Cal trailed 24-18, making it a one-possession game with 3:36 left in the third quarter.

The start of the fourth quarter is just underway as Cal looks to complete a comeback after losing its offensive and defensive leaders in Lopa and Sagapolutele.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cal QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele injury update after scary hit