For Stanford Cardinal head coach David Shaw just one more brick in the wall as as he looks on during first half action at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley against the Cal Bears Sat Nov 19, 2022. It would be Stanford’s fourth straight loss. (AP News photo)

Stanford Falls to California In a Thriller 27-20

By Barbara Mason

Saturday afternoon under sunny skies the Stanford Cardinal (3-7) took on the California Bears (3-7) in the 125th Big Game at Memorial Stadium. The game was sold out and 10,000 lucky fans received a replica Axe as they entered. This is a game that fans look forward to each and every year.

Cal won the toss and deferred. The Cardinal went on offense and a terrific drive ensued. Stanford drove downfield and inside of the opening three minutes scored the first touchdown of the game. Mitch Leigber ran for one yard giving Stanford the early 7-0 lead.

Tanner McKee was 6 of 6 in the first quarter for 67 yards. Cal’s Dario Longhetto kicked two field goals in the quarter; one at 10:00 a 52 yard kick, and a second with 33 seconds left in the quarter. The Cardinal kicker Joshua Karty sent a 42 yd field goal through the uprights at 3:47 for a 10-6 score as the clock ran out on the first quarter. It was a great start for both teams in some unexpectedly solid offense.

With 2:21 left in the half the Cardinal cut short a terrific Cal drive intercepting a Jack Plummer pass in the end zone for a touchback. Stanford took over on downs but was unable to move the ball. The Bears took over on downs. With 47 seconds left in the half Stanford got the ball back and the Cardinal had one last shot in the first half.

The score remained 10-6 in favor of Stanford at the half. Cal had squandered away two scoring opportunities, one of them going on a fourth and one and a second with the interception in the end zone. The Cardinal defense was instrumental in this game keeping the Stanford lead intact.

Stanford would extend their lead in the third quarter. Tanner McKee, who was having a banner day, hit Elijah Higgins for nine yards and a touchdown giving Stanford a 17-6 lead at 8:31.

When Stanford looked to be in full control of the game, the Cal Bears flipped the script. At 11:18 Jack Plummer found Monroe Young for one yard and a touchdown.

The two-point conversion failed but the Bears had pulled to within striking distance 17-12. At 9:54 Stanford fumbled and Jackson Sirmon recovered the ball rushing for a touchdown and Cal’s first lead of the game. The two point conversion was good and the Bears led 20-17. There was 9:26 left in the game which is an eternity.

The Bears were back in field goal range when disaster struck and Plummer threw his second pick of the game at 6:42. California was giving Stanford every opportunity to take back the lead but there were no takers for the Cardinal. Tanner McKee had his first interception of the game at 2:15 and it could not have come at a worse time for the Cardinal.

With 0:58 left on the game clock the Bears found the end zone and a 27-17 lead. Stanford’s kicker Karty attempted a 61 yard field goal which was good and his longest kick this season but it was too little too late for the Cardinal.

As the clock wore down the ceremonial stare-down gathered in the end zone with the California Bears retaining the ax for another year.

This was a drastic turn of events for Stanford after leading for most of the game. Quarterback Tanner McKee was 29 of 45 for 271 yards and the one interception that changed the course of the game. The Cardinal had 129 rushing yards but the one turnover late in the game was the deciding factor. They also had three fumbles one that was recovered by Cal. This was a hotly contested game and it was the California Bears who prevailed.