Block party: Keeping QB Mendoza upright crucial as Cal aims for first ACC victory

BERKELEY — The 24 sacks Fernando Mendoza has taken tell only part of the story of the abuse the Cal quarterback has absorbed this season. They don’t factor in all those times where just after releasing a pass he’s blasted by the pass rush.

“That guy’s tough,” coach Justin Wilcox says of the redshirt sophomore. “He stands in there and there’s times when he’s going to get lit up and he takes it right the in the teeth and he delivers the ball.

“He’s not perfect, but the players and...