BERKELEY, Calif., Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Jason Johnson threw for four touchdowns and 492 yards Saturday as the Arizona Wildcats notched their first Pac-10 Conference win of the season with a 52-41 victory over California.
Arizona (4-7, 1-6 Pac-10) had 40 players go to the university president to complain this week about what they felt was Coach John Mackovic's abusive style. The coach called a news conference on Wednesday in which he broke down and apologized.
"This game, I'll remember a long time," Mackovic said. "I just don't have as much time left as they do. We didn't talk a lot (before the game). There was a lot of talking Tuesday and Wednesday. After that, we didn't talk a lot. We just worked hard.
"I told the guys this game was really about them and what they are made of. I didn't say it as a challenge. I got all the publicity, but it was about them. And they showed unbelievable courage, unbelievable character and heart."
Tight end Justin Levasseur had a pair of touchdown catches. Levasseur was the player who Mackovic reportedly called "a disgrace to his family."
Levasseur's second touchdown reception gave Arizona the lead for good at 38-34 with 12:37 remaining. Johnson added a seven-yard touchdown pass to Bobby Wade and Beau Carr ran for a score from four yards out for a 52-34 bulge.
The Wildcats also got touchdowns off an interception return and a blocked punt. The wild game also featured a 94-yard kickoff return by California's Lashaun Ward.
Wade had 11 receptions for a career-high 222 yards and Andre Thurman added nine catches for 151. Johnson completed 31 of 45 passes despite being sacked five times.
Kyle Boller completed 22 of 45 passes for 298 yards and a pair of touchdowns for California (6-5, 3-4). Joe Igber added 96 yards rushing on 19 carries.
