Tag: Big Game Stanford vs Cal Bears

Stanford game wrap: Cardinal UnAble to Capture the Axe from Golden Bears, 24-21, in Big Game #127 & Senior Day in the East Bay

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The Cal Bears offense lines up against the Stanford Cardinal defense in the battle for the axe at the Big Game at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Sat Nov 23, 2024 (photo by Stanford Athletic Department)

By Michael Roberson

BERKELEY, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (3-8, 2-6 ACC) failed to confiscate the Axe from the longtime rival California Golden Bears (6-5, 2-5 ACC), 24-21, in the 127th matchup of the two historic Bay Area schools.

Stanford wasted no time at all in continuing their momentous play from the previous game’s upset. The Cardinal capitalized on their first possession gift, despite losing the coin toss. Cal deferred their possession until the second half, but may have soon regretted that decision.

Stanford took that drive down the field and scored midway through the quarter. Quarterback Justin Lamson rushed into the end zone for a one yard keeper. Right away the Cardinal were up 7-0. That was not the end of their first quarter scoring either.

On Stanford’s second possession, they duplicated the prior drive, with a little deviation. Lamson scored again on a keeper, but the second one was from two yards away. After two drives, with 1:27 left in the quarter, the Cardinal were up 14-0 in front of a full Memorial Stadium. The same score was in place after 15 minutes of play.

In the second quarter, with the teams switching sides of the field, Stanford’s consecutive scoring streak halted, and Cal managed to get off the goose egg. Redshirt-Sophomore QB Fernando Mendoza got his Bears going with a 50 yard scamper, deep into Cardinal territory. He later tossed a 16-yard TD pass to redshirt-junior receiver Trond Grizzell. California cut the deficit in half, 14-7.

Both teams had missed field goals from 50+ yards from the goal posts. After 30 minutes of regulation, Stanford led 14-7, but Cal was set to receive the kickoff at the beginning of the third quarter.

In the third stanza, not much happened for most of the quarter. Stanford used a trick play to expand their lead, with 6:33 left in the period. Running back Micah Ford threw a two yard touchdown to freshman WR Emmett Mosley V.. Stanford was up by two touchdowns (21-7), with a great deal of momentum.

Subsequently upon the kickoff, Cal fumbled the return, giving Stanford the ball on their own 20-yard line. A minute later, the Cardinal botched a FG attempt, and turned the ball over to the Golden Bears.

The home team parlayed that miscue into three points on their behalf, with :47 left in the quarter. Redshirt-senior kicker Ryan Coe converted a 46-yarder, which brought them within 11 points, 21-10. At the end of third quarter, Stanford still led 11, 21-10.

The final quarter had California continue to claw their way back into the contest, Mendoza threw a dart 30-yard touchdown pass to junior WR Jonathan Brady, to the delight of the Cal faithful. The Golden Bears were within five, but could not complete the two point conversion attempt, They were trying to get within three, which would only require a field goal to tie.

The Golden Bears were on a drive late in the quarter, putting themselves in position to win the Big Game And keep the Axe. With 2:40 left in the game, Mendoza to Brady happened again. The second time was for 22 yards, and they converted the two point conversion, putting the Bears up by three, 24-21.

Cal stole all the momentum from their arch rivals from across the bay, and got the raucous crowd into a frenzy. The Golden Bears completed the very unlikely comeback, after being down by 14 twice, and won by three, 24-21.

The Axe remains in Berkeley!

Stanford will next be in action Friday, November 29 in the Capital City of the Silicon Valley, to take on the San Jose State Spartans at 1:00 PM PST on CBS. Cal travels to Fort Worth, Texas to take on the Southern Methodist Mustangs, November 30, at 2:30 PM CST on ESPN2

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cal-Cardinal kick off for the axe Saturday in Berkeley; Stanford coming off big win over Louisville

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Stanford kicker Emmet Kenny (right) jumps into the arms of punter Connor Wesleman (15) after booting a 52 yard game winning field goal in the fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium to defeat the Louisville Cardinals on Sat Nov 16, 2024 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Michael, how important was this win for the Cardinal to defeat the Louisville Cardinals last Saturday on Senior day at Stanford Stadium?

#2 How big is Stanford kicker Emmet Kenny who booted a 52 yard field goal with time expiring to defeat 38-35. The Cardinal in winning snapped a six game losing streak beating a No.22 ranked team Louisville.

#3 The Cardinal worked hard to just get this win and after six straight loses head coach Troy Taylor has to be more than relieved, saying that he gives credit to his seniors and that this the last time a lot of them will be playing at Stanford Stadium and breathing it in and making the moment memorable.

#4 Michael talk about the job that quarterback Ashton Daniels did under center he kept it close all game long throwing for 298 yards, for three touchdowns. Wide receiver Emmet Mosely V caught two of those touchdown passes for 168 yards.

#5 The Big Game at Berkeley is next you’ll be on hand at Cal Memorial to cover this thriller talk about what this game means for Stanford and what a tradition this is playing for the axe?

Michael Roberson covers the Stanford Cardinal for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal game wrap: Cardinal Wounded and Heartbroken in Bears’ Territory, 73-71, on a Friday Night Battle of the Bay I

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Stanford Cardinal guard Kanaan Carlyle (3) takes a a shot against the Cal Bears forward Grant Newell (14) and forward Fardaws Aimaq (00) in second half action at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Fri Jan 26, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

BERKELEY, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (10-9, 5-4 Pac-12) dropped Part ! of the Battle of the Bay against the California Golden Bears (8-12, 4-5 Pac-12), 73-71, inside Haas Pavilion.

Stanford scratched the scoreboard first , on a split free throws scenario.by senior forward Spencer Jones. Cal took their only lead in the first half (4-3( shortly thereafter.

Although the home team was not able to get over the hump again in the first 20 minutes, Cal kept the game within reach by halftime. Stanford ked by as much as 8 points, and half of that at intermission, 40-36.

No Cardinal hooper reached double=digits, although a triumvirate had 8 points to show for themselves. Spencer Jones, Michael Jones and Kanaan Carlyle all had 2/3 of a dozen points. The Golden Bears had one player with at least 10 points. Junior guard Jaylon Tyson tallied 10 points and 5 rebounds.

Stanford increased the lead to 10 points, early in the second half. However, the Bears clawed their way back, and presumably took the lead 51-50 at the 12:43 mark, Unfortunately for Cal, the three-point shot by senior Jalen Cone, was ruled a 2-pointer instead.. Cal still didn;t get over the hump. at that juncture of the game.

Stanford went on a 7-0 run after that, seemingly in control of the contest. The Golden Bears were determined to come back and eventually be in front of their cross-Bay neighbors and rivals.

After that first disappointment early in the second half, Cal did officially get into a leading position 62-60 (7:13). Despite letting go of a 10-point advantage, Stanford regained the lead on several occasions. As a matter of fact, the game was tied 8 times and there were 7 lead changes.

Those moments were obviously late in the ball game, because overall Stanford had the lead for approximately 31 and a half minutes, while California had their advantage for 26 less minutes than the Cardinal, but led when it really counted,,,at the final whistle.

With the consistent back and forth of the final minutes and seconds, it came down to game-winning free throws by redshirt junior guard, Jalen Celestine, with :58 remaining on the clock. Stanford had a costly turnover by Maxime Raynaud, the Celestine converted another FT, which presented the final score of 73-71, California Golden Bears.

Stanford had 0 players in double-digits at the half, but garnered four at game’s end. Spencer Jones (13), Brandon Angel (12), Kanaan Carlyle (12) and Maxime Raynaud (11) & 13 rebounds.

Cal had a lone player to reach those heights after 20 minutes of playing time, but had a whopping 6 after 40 minutes of regulation time. Jaylon Tyson (14), Fardaws Aimaq (13) & 12 rebounds, Jalen Celestine (12), Keonte Kennedy (11), Grant Newell (11) & 10 rebounds and Jalen Cone (10).

Stanford will next be in action Thursday, February 1 in the Grand Canyon State, as they take on the Arizona State Sun Devils at 6 PM PDT/7 Mountain.. on ESPN2. Cal plays against the Arizona Wildcats, on the same date, a half hour earlier, on P-12 Network.

Note: Both Coach Haas and Madsen both were coaching against their Alma Maters, and are excited the both will continue in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca: Big Game commences after season of cancelation and loses for both teams

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On the very offensive first play of the game between the Cal Bears and Oregon State Beavers running back Jemar Jefferson (6) carried for 75 yards for the opening score on Sat Nov 21st, 2020. Cal is trying to avoid such an offensive volley like this as they kick off with the Stanford Cardinal in the Big Game Fri Nov 27, 2020 at Memorial Stadium (AP News photo)

Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 The Big Game has arrived an event that everyone is counting on regardless where either Stanford (0-2) or Cal (0-2) is in the standings both schools look forward to the battle for the ax.

#2 Taking a look at visiting Stanford first, quarterback Davis Mills threw for 327 yards and carried for a touchdown. In spite of a great day of throwing the Cardinal offense couldn’t execute against the Colorado Buffaloes defense scoring in single digits in each of the first three quarters in a 35-32 loss.

#3 The Cal Bears quarterback Chase Garbers threw a game that was good enough to win against the Oregon State Beavers (1-2) in the Bears last game. Garbers with 315 yards passing and three touchdowns but Cal came up short 31-27.

#4 Michael, both teams have lost both of their games and have two games canceled due to Covid-19 for this Big Game today how much of their timing do you expect to be off after two weeks worth of downtime?

#5 It’s the Big Game today at Cal you’ve attended a few Big Games in your career and while it’s a great thing to be their working a game like this behind the scenes you can get a great sense how important it is for both of these schools to battle hard for that ax.

Michael Duca does the Cal Bears podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com