There was a lot at stake for Cal in the 128th Big Game.
— The Bears were aiming for their fifth consecutive victory in the rivalry series, matching their longest streak ever (2002-06)
— A seventh win would have locked up Cal’s first winning season since 2019
— A victory would have put Cal, with a win over SMU next Saturday at Berkeley, in position to secure its first conference winning record since 2009. SMU beat short-handed Louisville 38-6 today, improving to 8-3 overall, 6-1 in the ACC
— Cal already is bowl eligible, but with each additional victory the Bears hoped to inch closer to a more prestigious bowl assignment
— And a victory in the Big Game, where coach Justin Wilcox was 5-3 over eight games, could have enhanced his standing in the eyes of GM Ron Rivera, who will decide whether to make a coaching change after the season
None of it happened for the Bears in a thoroughly crushing 31-10 loss.
Here’s what happened:
Availabilty update: Linebacker Cade Uluave, missed the two previous games with a right hand or wrist injury, is dressed and warming up with his teamates. His right hand is packged a substantial, padded cast. Likewise defensive lineman T.J. Bollers, who missed the Louisville game with an unnamed injury, also is dressed.
COIN FLIP: Stanford wins the toss and defers to the second half. Cal will receive the kickoff to begin the game.
6:10 1st Q: Abram Murray kicks a 40-yard field goal to cap an 11-play, 56-yard drive on Cal’s second possession of the game. The Bears used a trick play we have not seen where TE Mason Mini took the snap, lateraled the ball to QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele then rolled to the right flat. JKS threw a backward pass to Mini, who then delivered the ball to Jordan King for a 17-yard gain. Cal 3, Stanford 0
END OF 1ST Q: Stanford facing third-and-1 from its own 22. Cal outgained the Cardinal 97 yards to 6, including 79-7 in passing yards and 18-(minus-1) on the ground. That’s the fewest total yards Stanford has managed in a first quarter this season. The Bears have 5 first downs to 0 for Stanford. Cal has converted 3 of 5 third downs, Stanford is 0 for 2. Sagapolutele is 8 for 12 for 62 yards. But the score is . . . Cal 3, Stanford 0
12:57 2nd Q: Sagapolutele with a lateral pass to De Jesus on the left side. De Jesus comes all the way back to the right but Stanford’s Omar Staples knocks the ball free and safety Jay Green scoops it up and runs 49 yards into the end zone. Stanford 7, Cal 3
4:38 2nd Q: Sagapolutele scores on a 7-yard quarterback draw, capping a 15-play,75-yard drive. Big plays: a 16-yard completion to De Jesus on fourth-and-1 to the Stanford and JKS’s 2-ard pass to Trond Grizzell to the 5. Cal 10, Stanford 7
0:58 2nd Q: Stanford scored its second defensive touchdown on a fumble return, this time by safety Darrius Davis, who scooped up a fumble by Kendrick Raphael after a 11-yard gain and ran it in from 17 yards. Stanford 14, Cal 10
HALFTIME: Stanford 14, Cal 10. Cal has outgained Stanford 196 yards to 71 but trails thanks to two fumbles that turned into touchdowns for the Cardinal along with nine penalties for 88 yards.
Sagapolutele is 17 for 22 for 132 yards with two drops. Stanford’s Elijan Brown is 3 for 10 for 33 yards.
The Bears hae run 41 plays to Stanford’s 22, and havea time of possession advantage of 21:33 to 8:27. But the score is the only statistic that matters.
10:56 3rd Q: Stanford’s Kenney misses wide right on a 35-yard field goal attempt after a delay of game penalty takes away a shot from 30 yards. Cal takes over at 20. Is this the break the Bears need? Stanford 14, Cal 10
2:18 3rd Q: This time, Kenney didn’t miss. He converted 36-yard FG, capping a seven-play, 31-yard drive, and Stanford scored its first points against the Cal defense. A 15-yard pass interference penalty — an easy call — boosted the Cardinal. Stanford 17, Cal 10
1:31 3rd Q: Another lost fumble, this one by Sagaolutele, set up Stanford at the Cal 20-yard line. The Bears entered the game with two lost fumbles all season — they have three tonight. Matt Rose had the recovery for the Cardinal. At least this one didn’t go directly in for a touchdown. Stanford 17, Cal 10
14:56 4th Q: On the first snap of the fourth quarter, Stanford running back MicahFord runs 5 yards up the middle — seemingly untouched — and the Cardinal easily capped a four-play, 20-yard drive. Stanford 24, Cal 10
10:01 4th Q: Elijah Brown fires a 34-yard TD pass to CJ Williams and the Stanford lead grows. Stanford 31, Cal 10
