Tag: Stanford Cardinal

Stanford Cardinal podcast Daniel Dullum: Stanford pulls away from Cal in 2nd quarter in 31-10 win; Cal fires coach Justin Wilcox

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Stanford Cardinal quarterback Elijah Brown (2) drops back on the Cal Bears in the Big Game at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Sat Nov 22, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 After nine years as Cal Bears head coach Justin Wilcox was fired after the loss to the Stanford Cardinal on Saturday. Cal had a 10-7 lead on Stanford but couldn’t hold the lead and were shutout by the Cardinal in the second half.

#1 The Cal Bears were in the lead early in the Big Game against the Stanford Cardinal 10-7 but that was all she wrote for Cal as the Cardinal opened up on offense scoring two touchdowns in the second and fourth quarters to put this one away.

#2 The Cardinal got offensive help in the second quarter eclipsing the Bears at 1:05 for a 14-10 lead when Stanford running back Kendrick Raphael ran for 11 yards but fumbled only to be recovered by Darrius Davis who returned it for a touchdown.

#3 Stanford defense didn’t allow Cal to score for the rest of the game shutting out Cal in the third and fourth quarters.

#4 Stanford completed all their scoring in the fourth quarter with two touchdowns a four yard carry by running back Micah Ford for four yards to take a 24-10 lead at 14:56. At 10:01 Stanford quarterback Elijah Brown threw a 34 yard touchdown pass to CJ Williams for a 31-10 final.

#5 The win was Stanford’s home win of the season. The Cardinal improve their record to 3-7 and all three of their wins came from winning at Stanford Stadium this season.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel Dullum is heard Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

128th Big Game/Stanford Cardinal game wrap: Cardinal snatch axe from paws of Golden Bears 31-10, on a cool Saturday Evening on the Farm

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Stanford Cardinal players left to right defensive end Zach Buckley (98), offensive lineman Simone Pale (55), and defensive lineman Zach Rowell (97) join in the celebration of bringing the axe back to Stanford University after defeating the Cal Bears at Stanford Stadium on Sat Nov 22, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — A Big Game crowd of 50.039 experienced cross-Bay, conference (ACC) battle, with the Stanford Cardinal (4-7, 3-5 ACC) obtaining the axe from the California Golden Bears (6-5, 3-4 ACC) 31-10 inside Stanford Stadium.

Although Cal opened the game with possession of the ball, neither team scored on their opening drives. A little more than 10 minutes into the first quarter, the Golden Bears got onto the scoreboard first. Redshirt-Junior kicker Chase Meyer booted a 40-yard field goal, to put the visitors up by three, 3-0.

The first 15 minutes of gameplay ended with that same score, with either team doing much on offense, The crowd of both schools wanted and anticipated more action in the second quarter.

Quarter number two did bring more action to the masses. However, the Cardinal faithful did not see an offensive explosion, but a stellar defensive force.

A few ticks over two minutes into the second stanza, Stanford redshirt-junior safety Jay Green scooped up a Cal fumble for a49-yard touchdown. The Cardinal took a four points lead, 7-3. More than eight minutes later, Cal put up points offensively. Freshman quarterback Jason-Keawe Sagapolutele scored from 7 yards out on a keeper. The Bears regained the lead by three, 10-7..

The Cardinal marched down the field, getting inside the “Red Zone” by the two-minute timeout. After several attempts for a touchdown, they settled for a field goal attempt, with a little over a minute before recess. The kick was blocked by senior safety Dru Polidore Jr. All momentum switched to California, and Stanford’s offense and special teams could not score.

The Bears had possession of the ball in their own Bear territory, with less than a minute until halftime, and had the worst case scenario happen to the team. They coughed up the ball again, with Cardinal sophomore safety Darrius Davis grasping the gift and carrying it to paydirt for a 17 yard score. Stanford went back up by four, 14-10.

When the mid-game whistle blew, that last score stood at intermission., 14-10 Stanford.

The Cardinal had possession of the ball to start the second half, but more of the same on offense persisted. They could not get into the end zone, but did get into field goal range. Just over four minutes into the half, senior Emmett Kenney missed a 35-yard attempt, to the dismay of the home fans.

About eight minutes later he had another opportunity. This time from 36 yards from the goalposts. Kenney was successful on that particular attempt. The cardinal extended their advantage to seven, 17-10.

The Golden Bears managed to lose possession of the ball immediately upon receiving it after the Cardinal score. Stanford parlayed that golden opportunity to another score, over two quarters. They had the ball near the goal line as the third quarter ended, and continued at the beginning of the fourth.

Four seconds into the final quarter, sophomore running back Micah Ford scampered in for a 4-yard TD. The Cardinal went up by 14 points, 24-10. They were not finished.

Less than two minutes of elapsed time, the Cardinal reached the end zone again. This score was a 34 yard bomb from Elijah Brown to CJ Williams for SIX. with the subsequent extra point, the Cardinal tied their high score output of 31 points. They also led by 21 points. 31-10.

Despite Cal’s efforts to score again in the waning moments, the score remained the same after 60 minutes of regulation play, 31-10 for the Tree.

The Cardinal will next be in action back here on the Farm next Saturday, November 29, hosting the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at 7:30 PM PT on ESPN. Cal heads back across the Bay to host SMU on the same date at TBD.

Can We Help You? Cal Says “Yes” In Surprising 31-10 Big Game Loss To Stanford

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By Morris Phillips

STANFORD, CA–Stanford, limping through a rough season with a 3-7 record, desperately needed to find some confidence.

And Cal, with the ability to really mess with Stanford’s collective pysches, seemingly decided instead to soothe then aid their bitter rival.

Hard to understand? Yes, but the Big Game inherently comes with a few twists. Need someone to explain how Cal’s dominating start that saw them limit Stanford to 6 yards of offense in the first quarter, and 71 yards at halftime, also saw them trailing 14-10? Don’t ask coach Justin Wilcox for clarity.


“I wish I had a good answer for that,” Wilcox said when asked how 13 penalties doomed his team. “Whether it’s a little bit of nervous energy, I wish I could tell you. There’s no good reason, there’s no excuse for it.”

Stanford coach Frank Reich wasn’t mystified. Instead, he vividly recounted the gifts his team received in their moment of need.

“We were struggling on offense,” Reich said. “It’s one thing for the defense to keep you in the game while you’re struggling. It’s another thing for them to score two touchdowns and go in with a lead and you feel like you haven’t even made a first down. I just think that really kind of injected us with some confidence.”

No excuse for three fumbles, the first two resulting in scoop-and-score touchdowns for Stanford and their halftime lead. Cal’s scoreless second half, a sign that halftime demands and adjustments didn’t take hold, was another head scratcher.

Two weeks of preparation–after the Bears’ most impressive win of the season at Louisville–to unleash a disintegrating effort riddled by mistakes? Again, Wilcox was put under the microscope and forced to answer the biggest question.

“There should be high expectations… everybody’s got them,” Wilcox responded when pointedly asked if he’s still the guy to lead the program. “We have them. The players and the coaches have them. And I feel their pain. I understand. We work really hard at this… the coaches and the players do. It’s not an excuse to go out and play like that.”

Simply, the Cardinal couldn’t have gotten it done without Cal’s help. Throughout the season, Stanford’s offense has been more miss than hit with an uneven run game and a pass game that was handed to redshirt freshman quarterback Elijah Brown just two weeks ago. Their slow start was expected. But instead of Cal continuing to inflict damage, they called an ambulance loaded with their own turnovers and penalties. After that, Stanford merely needed to ingest their medicine and gracefully lift the Axe for the first time in six seasons.

Big Game/Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: How Brown will pass against Cal’s defense pass rush

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Stanford Cardinal quarterback Elijah Brown (2) fires a pass against the UNC Tar Heels at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill NC on Sat Nov 8, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

Big Game/Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 How big a role will Stanford’s QB Elijah Brown play, and can he steady the Cardinal offense under Big Game pressure?

#2 Which Stanford running back — Micah Ford or Tuna Altahir — is more likely to break through Cal’s front seven, and how will their usage affect the game flow?

#3 How much will linebacker Matt Rose’s tackling and sideline-to-sideline instincts shape Stanford’s ability to respond to Cal’s offensive drives?

#4 Stanford’s outside linebacker Tevarua Tafiti has been a key playmaker — can he disrupt Cal’s backfield, and what impact will his pressure have?

#5 In the secondary, how important will cornerback Collin Wright and safety Jay Green be in containing Cal’s passing threats, and can they force turnovers?

Michael Roberson does the Stanford Cardinal podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Big Game/Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips: Can Bears Sagapolutele command the offense against Stanford?

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Cal Bears quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele makes a pass against the Louisville Cardinal at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville on Sat Nov 8, 2025 (AP News photo)

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 How critical will freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele be in this matchup, and can he command the offense under Big Game pressure?

#2 Which Cal running back — Kendrick Raphael or LJ Johnson Jr. — is best suited to exploit Stanford’s run defense, and how might their usage shape the game plan?

#3 Can Cal’s passing attack, featuring Jacob De Jesus and Trond Grizzell, generate enough big plays to stretch Stanford’s defense?

#4 On defense, how will linebacker Cade Uluave’s leadership and production factor into Cal’s ability to slow down Stanford’s offense?

#5 What impact could ball-hawking defensive back Hezekiah Masses have on the game, and how might his presence influence Cal’s secondary strategy.

Morris Philips does the Cal Bears podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast Daniel Dullum: Cardinal preparing to host Big Game with Cal Saturday

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The Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Caden High (0) leaps for a catch against the UNC Tar Heels defensive lineman Will Hardy (31) at Kenan Memorial Stadium Chapel Hill NC on Sat Nov 8, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel:

#1 How critical will Stanford quarterback Elijah Brown’s performance be for Stanford’s chances, given his experience and passing production so far this season?

#2 Running back Micah Ford has been a key contributor in Stanford’s ground game. How effectively can Cal defend him, and what would be the impact if Ford has a big game?

#3 Wide receiver CJ Williams has been Stanford’s top receiving target. In what ways could he exploit Cal’s secondary, and how might his presence influence the game plan?

#4 On defense, Matt Rose (ILB) has led Stanford in tackles. How important is his role in stopping Cal’s offense, particularly on third downs and in open-field situations?

#5 Which of Stanford’s other playmakers — for example, Tuna Altahir (RB) or Ben Gulbranson (backup QB) — could make a decisive impact, and under what game scenarios might they be most effective?

Daniel Dullum does the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Big Game/Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips: Can Sagapolutele continue his 200 plus passing average against Stanford

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Cal quarterback Jaron‑Keawe Sagapolutele (3) makes a pass against the Louisville Cardinals at L&N Federal Credit Union in Louisville on Sat Nov 8, 2025 (AP News photo)

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 How will freshman quarterback Jaron‑Keawe Sagapolutele perform against Stanford’s pass rush, and can he continue his streak of 200-plus passing yards?

#2 Running back Kendrick Raphael has shown he can break 100 rushing yards in a game — how important will the run game be for Cal in this matchup?

#3 With linebacker Cade Uluave leading Cal’s defense, how well can the Bears contain Stanford’s offensive tempo and explosive plays?

#4 Who will step up among Cal’s receivers for Sagapolutele — can someone emerge beyond the expected targets to challenge Stanford’s secondary?

#5 Given Stanford’s home-field advantage and rivalry intensity, can Cal maintain composure in key moments and convert critical situations (third downs / turnovers) into game-changing plays?

Morris Phillips does the Cal Bears football podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Big Game/Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: Can Brown get the drop on Cal’s defense at Stanford Sat Nov 22?

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Stanford Cardinal quarterback Elijah Brown (2) is hit from behind and forced a fumble by UNC Tar Heels linebacker Andrew Simpson (2) in the first half at Chapel Hill NC on Sat Nov 8, 2025 (Press Democrat photo)

Big Game/Stanford podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 With Elijah Brown now installed as Stanford’s starting quarterback, how will he manage the pressure of the rivalry game, and can he avoid mistakes while pushing the offense forward?

#2 How critical will the running back tandem featuring Tuna Altahir and Micah Ford be in establishing the ground game and controlling tempo against Cal’s front seven?

#3 On the receiving side, can CJ Williams step up as a reliable down-field threat for Stanford’s offense and exploit mismatches in Cal’s secondary?

#4 Defensively, with the departure of star pass rusher David Bailey, how will Stanford’s front seven adjust? Will emerging players fill the void and maintain pressure on Cal’s quarterback?

#5 Stanford has several young or less experienced players stepping into larger roles — how will that youth (especially at key positions) affect their execution in high-leverage situations (third down, red zone) against a rivalry opponent?

Michael Roberson does the Stanford Cardinal podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast Daniel Dullum: Cardinal can’t get past UNC in 20-15 loss at Chapel Hill

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Stanford Cardinal running back Micah Ford (20) takes off against the UNC Tar Heels at Chapel Hill NC on Sat Nov 8, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 The UNC Tar Heels (4-5) came up with a 20-15 win over the Stanford Cardinal (3-7) Saturday. The loss for the Cardinal was their third loss in row. This one coming at Chapel Hill in North Carolina.

#2 Stanford Cardinal quarterback Elijah Brown making his first start of the season since taking over for benched quarterback Ben Gulbranson threw 27-39, 284 yards, and one touchdown.

#3 Brown couldn’t get any offense going in the first three quarters where the Cardinal were shutout in the first and third quarters of the game.

#4 In the fourth quarter with the Tar Heels ahead 10-3 the offense opened up a little bit as Stanford scored 12 points but the difference was North Carolina was able to counter with ten points in the fourth quarter to come away with the five point win.

#5 Next up for Stanford it’s the Big Game at Stanford Stadium on Sat Nov 22 against the Cal Bears. Cal played a very tight game against the Louisville Cardinals on Saturday that went into overtime. This could be another opponent that could give the Cardinal fits.

Join Daniel Dullum for the Cardinal podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Tar Heels hold off late Cardinal fall, win 20-15

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Stanford Cardinal quarterback Elijah Brown (2) is hit from behind and forced a fumble by UNC Tar Heels linebacker Andrew Simpson (2) in the first half at Chapel Hill NC on Sat Nov 8, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

North Carolina held off a late Stanford rally on Saturday and defeated the Cardinal 20-15 in Atlantic Coast Conference football at Chapel Hill, N.C.

Stanford (3-7 overall, 2-5 ACC) lost despite outgaining the Tar Heels 320 total yards to 253 and holding the edge in time of possession – 32:37 to 27:23.

The Tar Heels (4-5 overall, 2-3 ACC) opened the scoring at 5:49 of the first quarter with a Rece Verhoff 27-yard field goal. Stanford tied the game at 3-3 on the final play of the first half, an Emmet Kenney field goal from 38 yards out.

UNC broke the deadlock at 7:43 of the third quarter when, on first down at the Cardinal 20-yard line, Gio Lopez completed a touchdown pass to Davion Gause, giving the Tar Heels a 10-3 lead.

Verhoff hit a field goal from 48 yards out at 4:16 of the fourth quarter, and Lopez completed a 55-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Shipp, extending the Tar Heels lead to 20-3.

The Cardinal fought back, and with 8:28 remaining, Cole Tabb ran for a 1-yard touchdown, and with 1:48 to play, Elijah Brown, completed a 24-yard scoring pass to CJ Williams. The Cardinal failed to convert 2-point conversions.

Brown completed 27 of 39 passes for 284 yards, one touchdown. And was picked off once. He was also sacked nine times. Micah Ford was the Cardinal’s top rusher with 68 yards on 17 carries. Caden High caught 10 passes for 102 yards, and Williams and Sam Roush each made six receptions.

Lopez was 18 of 25 passing for 203 yards for UNC. He was sacked twice. As a team, the Tar Heels gained 50 yards on 27 attempts. Kobe Paysour caught six passes for 54 yards, and Shipp caught five for 83 yards and a touchdown.

The Cardinal have a bye week before hosting California in the 28th Big Game on Saturday, Nov. 22. Kickoff time has yet to be announced.