The California Golden Bears mounted an incredible fourth-quarter comeback last Saturday, defeating their long-time rival Stanford 24-21 and clinching bowl eligibility in the process. The victory over their bitter rivals sent the Cal community into a frenzy, with fans rushing the field and the players celebrating an emotional win that meant so much to their season.
In the immediate aftermath of the game, much of the attention was on Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza, whose emotional postgame interview captured the magnitude of becoming bowl eligible.
Mendoza’s heartfelt words struck a chord with fans, but another storyline soon emerged that has since captivated headlines as the Golden Bears prepare for their regular season finale against SMU this weekend.
During the chaos of the postgame celebration, as fans stormed the field to join the Golden Bears in reveling in their epic comeback victory, an opportunistic fan attempted to steal a Cal football helmet. The fan seemed to think they could make off with a prized souvenir amid the jubilant crowd.
However, they didn’t account for Trevor Skogerboe, one of Cal’s vigilant equipment managers, who was not about to let that theft happen on his watch.
In an extraordinary moment that was caught on video, Skogerboe demonstrated elite speed and determination as he chased down the would-be thief.
RELATED: College Football Player Restrained by Police After Attempting to Confront Fans in Heated Incident
The video, which has since gone viral, shows Skogerboe sprinting across the field and executing a textbook tackle, taking the thief to the ground and recovering the stolen helmet.
The clip has drawn comparisons to highlight-reel tackles made by some of college football’s best defenders, with many praising Skogerboe for his impressive athleticism and quick thinking.
The story didn’t end there. As the team reviewed the game tape from the Stanford matchup, Skogerboe’s heroic tackle was featured prominently during the film session, drawing cheers and laughter from the entire squad.
Not only did he get a film breakdown of his chase-down tackle, but he also received a personal shoutout from Cal head coach Justin Wilcox during his weekly press conference.
In a light-hearted moment, Coach Wilcox described the tackle with the same level of analysis that he might use when breaking down a play from one of his players. “The one critique I would have is when we teach tackling on a chase tackle, we really want to come and secure the tackle and come over the top and violently [punch down] to separate the runner from the ball, or in this case, the helmet,” Wilcox said with a smile, referencing Skogerboe’s effort.
“Other than that, flawless technique by Trevor, and I really appreciate the effort. He was enforcing one of the beliefs we have as a program, which is, ‘Don’t steal things!’ I think we would be a lot better off with more Trevors out there.”
Coach Wilcox’s comments were met with laughter, and the appreciation for Skogerboe’s effort was evident as the team celebrated the moment during their film review session. Footage showed Cal’s players erupting in cheers when the tackle was replayed, with Skogerboe receiving high-fives and even a hug from Wilcox.
It was a moment that highlighted the camaraderie and spirit of the program, as the team rallied around one of their own in a show of support and appreciation.
For Skogerboe, the recognition was well-earned, and many fans have joked that if the Golden Bears find themselves short-handed in the secondary at any point during the remainder of the season, they might want to consider giving him a uniform and putting him on the field.
His instincts, speed, and flawless execution were on full display, and he proved that he could rise to the occasion when his team needed him—even if it wasn’t during the game itself.
The entire incident has added an extra layer of excitement to Cal’s preparation for their upcoming matchup against SMU.
With bowl eligibility already secured, the Golden Bears are looking to finish the regular season strong, and the spirit shown by Skogerboe has only added to the team’s motivation. The tackle has become a rallying point for the squad, a symbol of the kind of effort and determination that the entire team hopes to bring into their final games.
As the Golden Bears set their sights on their next opponent, they do so with the knowledge that they have not only talented athletes on the field but also dedicated staff members like Trevor Skogerboe, who embody the values of the program and are willing to go the extra mile to support the team.
Whether he’s on the sideline or out on the field, one thing is clear: Skogerboe has earned his place as an honorary member of the Golden Bears defense, and his heroic tackle is a moment that Cal fans won’t soon forget.
