[terry]

This week's Big Game will be the 48th Big Game I've attended. That's every Big Game since 1975, except the 2020 Covid quarantine game.

Stanford's record in the 47 games I've attended is 28-18-1.

Some of my favorite Big Game memories, in no particular order:

1990 -- A great game. Glyn Milburn had 379 all-purpose yards. Then came the miracle finish, with Stanford scoring 9 points in the last 12 seconds to win it on John Hopkins' field goal.

2000 -- The only overtime Big Game. Stanford won on a TD pass from Randy Fasani to Casey Moore.

1976 -- An entertaining back-and-forth game. Stanford recovered a fumble at the Cal 2 yard line late in the fourth quarter to set up the winning TD.

1999 -- Casey Moore's 94-yard "Run for the Roses" clinched Stanford's first Rose Bowl appearance in 28 years.

2007 -- Nick Sanchez clinched the game with an interception in the last 2 minutes. Stanford's win broke a 5-game Big Game losing streak.

1991 -- Tommy Vardell ran for 182 yards and Stanford upset #6 ranked Cal.

2010 -- Andrew Luck led Stanford to a dominant win, highlighted by Luck's 58-yard run during which he flattened a would-be tackler.

[terry]

This week's Big Game will be the 48th Big Game I've attended. That's every Big Game since 1975, except the 2020 Covid quarantine game.

Stanford's record in the 47 games I've attended is 28-18-1.

Some of my favorite Big Game memories, in no particular order:

1990 -- A great game. Glyn Milburn had 379 all-purpose yards. Then came the miracle finish, with Stanford scoring 9 points in the last 12 seconds to win it on John Hopkins' field goal.

2000 -- The only overtime Big Game. Stanford won on a TD pass from Randy Fasani to Casey Moore.

1976 -- An entertaining back-and-forth game. Stanford recovered a fumble at the Cal 2 yard line late in the fourth quarter to set up the winning TD.

1999 -- Casey Moore's 94-yard "Run for the Roses" clinched Stanford's first Rose Bowl appearance in 28 years.

2007 -- Nick Sanchez clinched the game with an interception in the last 2 minutes. Stanford's win broke a 5-game Big Game losing streak.

1991 -- Tommy Vardell ran for 182 yards and Stanford upset #6 ranked Cal.

2010 -- Andrew Luck led Stanford to a dominant win, highlighted by Luck's 58-yard run during which he flattened a would-be tackler.

[82lsju]

1990 -- A great game. Glyn Milburn had 379 all-purpose yards. Then came the miracle finish, with Stanford scoring 9 points in the last 12 seconds to win it on John Hopkins' field goal.

I was also at this game, after the missed conversion lots of people start leaving.  A guy sitting near us in a red checked sport coat start yelling "you'll be sorry, read about it in the paper tomorrow"....and he was right

about 20 years later we see him at Big Game again, he's got the same sport coat, we joked with him and his daughter about the 1990 finish.

Go Cardinal!!!

[82lsju]

1990 -- A great game. Glyn Milburn had 379 all-purpose yards. Then came the miracle finish, with Stanford scoring 9 points in the last 12 seconds to win it on John Hopkins' field goal.

I was also at this game, after the missed conversion lots of people start leaving.  A guy sitting near us in a red checked sport coat start yelling "you'll be sorry, read about it in the paper tomorrow"....and he was right

about 20 years later we see him at Big Game again, he's got the same sport coat, we joked with him and his daughter about the 1990 finish.

Go Cardinal!!!

[Mick]

1982, in John Elway's last college game, when Stanford took a 20-19 lead on Mark Harmon's 38 yard field goal, then Stanford's kickoff team stifled a desperate multiple lateral kickoff return attempt when Dwight Garner was properly called down, rendering a forward lateral call on Ford's illegal forward pass to Moen unnecessary and no official signaled a touchdown. 

Final score, Stanford 20, Cal 19.

Also, Joe Starkey had laryngitis. 

And I had a pleasant walk back to my car along fraternity row, where members of Cal's upstanding fraternities good-naturedly congratulated me on Stanford's close victory.

[Mick]

1982, in John Elway's last college game, when Stanford took a 20-19 lead on Mark Harmon's 38 yard field goal, then Stanford's kickoff team stifled a desperate multiple lateral kickoff return attempt when Dwight Garner was properly called down, rendering a forward lateral call on Ford's illegal forward pass to Moen unnecessary and no official signaled a touchdown. 

Final score, Stanford 20, Cal 19.

Also, Joe Starkey had laryngitis. 

And I had a pleasant walk back to my car along fraternity row, where members of Cal's upstanding fraternities good-naturedly congratulated me on Stanford's close victory.

[Spiny_Norman]

Terry, those are great memories and I hope that you get another one this Saturday. I have not seen all 18 of Stanford's losses during that period, but many of them do stand out. They still sting.

I'll add a few more wins I remember to offset those losses, not repeating games that Terry mentioned.

1981 - my first Big Game win. A joy and an honor to watch Darrin Nelson's final game at Stanford.

1985 - Stanford nearly blew a 24-0 lead before winning 24-22. Cal had a FG attempt to win late in the 4th quarter. But their PK Leland Rix missed. Karma prevented anyone named Leland from beating Stanford, especially at Stanford Stadium.

1997 - Stanford over Cal 21-20 in the 100th Big Game on an overcast, cold day. Bad blood on both sides and a lousy game by both teams but Cal was just a bit worse. Maybe the ugliest incident I have seen at a Big Game as Cal fans tore down the fence at the old stadium to storm the field after losing.

2013 - yes, the game was dominated by Stanford and especially Ty Montgomery who scored 5 TDs (a school record). But the highlight came before the game when the scoreboard flashed a shocking score - Arizona 42, Oregon 16. The effect on the crowd was electric. That loss coupled with Stanford's Big Game win put us back in the Rose Bowl.

I just realized that the last Big Game I attended in 2017 was the most recent time Stanford beat Cal at Stanford Stadium. Let's do it again on Saturday. Beat Cal!!

[Spiny_Norman]

Terry, those are great memories and I hope that you get another one this Saturday. I have not seen all 18 of Stanford's losses during that period, but many of them do stand out. They still sting.

I'll add a few more wins I remember to offset those losses, not repeating games that Terry mentioned.

1981 - my first Big Game win. A joy and an honor to watch Darrin Nelson's final game at Stanford.

1985 - Stanford nearly blew a 24-0 lead before winning 24-22. Cal had a FG attempt to win late in the 4th quarter. But their PK Leland Rix missed. Karma prevented anyone named Leland from beating Stanford, especially at Stanford Stadium.

1997 - Stanford over Cal 21-20 in the 100th Big Game on an overcast, cold day. Bad blood on both sides and a lousy game by both teams but Cal was just a bit worse. Maybe the ugliest incident I have seen at a Big Game as Cal fans tore down the fence at the old stadium to storm the field after losing.

2013 - yes, the game was dominated by Stanford and especially Ty Montgomery who scored 5 TDs (a school record). But the highlight came before the game when the scoreboard flashed a shocking score - Arizona 42, Oregon 16. The effect on the crowd was electric. That loss coupled with Stanford's Big Game win put us back in the Rose Bowl.

I just realized that the last Big Game I attended in 2017 was the most recent time Stanford beat Cal at Stanford Stadium. Let's do it again on Saturday. Beat Cal!!

[Maple Leaf]

1963  Stanford 28  Cal 17

John Ralston, first year Stanford head coach beat his alma mater.  Lets hope for a repeat.

Ralston played linebacker at Cal under Pappy W.

[Maple Leaf]

1963  Stanford 28  Cal 17

John Ralston, first year Stanford head coach beat his alma mater.  Lets hope for a repeat.

Ralston played linebacker at Cal under Pappy W.

[82lsju]

Tie Cal!!

1988 - The 91st meeting at Memorial Stadium featured another thrilling conclusion, proving once again that it is never over until it's over. Stanford (3-6-1) was a heavy underdog against Cal (5-5), but the outcome came down to the final play.

With four seconds left and the score tied 19-19, kicker Robbie Keen, who had converted 17 of 19 field goal attempts and went on to become an All-American, lined up for a 21-yard attempt that most assumed would win the game. Only someone forget to tell Stanford redshirt freshman defensive back Tuan Van Le. Born in Viet Nam and raised in Northern California, where he starred at De La Salle High in Concord, he darted in from the left side and blocked the kick to preserve a tie, allowing Stanford to retain the Axe.

https://gostanford.com/news/2015/11/19/210513491.aspx

[82lsju]

Tie Cal!!

1988 - The 91st meeting at Memorial Stadium featured another thrilling conclusion, proving once again that it is never over until it's over. Stanford (3-6-1) was a heavy underdog against Cal (5-5), but the outcome came down to the final play.

With four seconds left and the score tied 19-19, kicker Robbie Keen, who had converted 17 of 19 field goal attempts and went on to become an All-American, lined up for a 21-yard attempt that most assumed would win the game. Only someone forget to tell Stanford redshirt freshman defensive back Tuan Van Le. Born in Viet Nam and raised in Northern California, where he starred at De La Salle High in Concord, he darted in from the left side and blocked the kick to preserve a tie, allowing Stanford to retain the Axe.

https://gostanford.com/news/2015/11/19/210513491.aspx

[JeffInCorvallis]

1990 -- A great game. Glyn Milburn had 379 all-purpose yards. Then came the miracle finish, with Stanford scoring 9 points in the last 12 seconds to win it on John Hopkins' field goal.

I was also at this game, after the missed conversion lots of people start leaving.  A guy sitting near us in a red checked sport coat start yelling "you'll be sorry, read about it in the paper tomorrow"....and he was right

about 20 years later we see him at Big Game again, he's got the same sport coat, we joked with him and his daughter about the 1990 finish.

Go Cardinal!!!

I remember John Hopkins warming up kicking footballs into the stands because the kicking nets had already been packed up.

[JeffInCorvallis]

1990 -- A great game. Glyn Milburn had 379 all-purpose yards. Then came the miracle finish, with Stanford scoring 9 points in the last 12 seconds to win it on John Hopkins' field goal.

I was also at this game, after the missed conversion lots of people start leaving.  A guy sitting near us in a red checked sport coat start yelling "you'll be sorry, read about it in the paper tomorrow"....and he was right

about 20 years later we see him at Big Game again, he's got the same sport coat, we joked with him and his daughter about the 1990 finish.

Go Cardinal!!!

I remember John Hopkins warming up kicking footballs into the stands because the kicking nets had already been packed up.

[82lsju]

1990 -- A great game. Glyn Milburn had 379 all-purpose yards. Then came the miracle finish, with Stanford scoring 9 points in the last 12 seconds to win it on John Hopkins' field goal.

I was also at this game, after the missed conversion lots of people start leaving.  A guy sitting near us in a red checked sport coat start yelling "you'll be sorry, read about it in the paper tomorrow"....and he was right

about 20 years later we see him at Big Game again, he's got the same sport coat, we joked with him and his daughter about the 1990 finish.

Go Cardinal!!!

I remember John Hopkins warming up kicking footballs into the stands because the kicking nets had already been packed up.

relive those last 17 seconds!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEkXwQ_CmGw

[82lsju]

1990 -- A great game. Glyn Milburn had 379 all-purpose yards. Then came the miracle finish, with Stanford scoring 9 points in the last 12 seconds to win it on John Hopkins' field goal.

I was also at this game, after the missed conversion lots of people start leaving.  A guy sitting near us in a red checked sport coat start yelling "you'll be sorry, read about it in the paper tomorrow"....and he was right

about 20 years later we see him at Big Game again, he's got the same sport coat, we joked with him and his daughter about the 1990 finish.

Go Cardinal!!!

I remember John Hopkins warming up kicking footballs into the stands because the kicking nets had already been packed up.

relive those last 17 seconds!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEkXwQ_CmGw

[Nobadeer]

Great stuff Terry. 

I would second 82LSJU's nomination of 1988, the famous Tuan Van Le blocked FG! An improbable tie for LSJU. It was the first Revenge of The Play. The sequel two years later was even better!

[Nobadeer]

Great stuff Terry. 

I would second 82LSJU's nomination of 1988, the famous Tuan Van Le blocked FG! An improbable tie for LSJU. It was the first Revenge of The Play. The sequel two years later was even better!

[GoodGrief]

Oh man, rewatching the Revenge Of The Play, and the first thing is a touchdown pass to McCaffrey. Not that McCaffrey--the other McCaffrey...

[GoodGrief]

Oh man, rewatching the Revenge Of The Play, and the first thing is a touchdown pass to McCaffrey. Not that McCaffrey--the other McCaffrey...

[trancos61]

1963 - John Ralston's first season at Stanford.  The game was postponed for a week because of JFK's assassination in Dallas the day before it was to have been played.  The Indians won 28-17, but all I can really remember are the chills that went down my spine when I heard the trumpet solo used by the Stanford Band to open its rendition of the national anthem.  Unforgettable.

[trancos61]

1963 - John Ralston's first season at Stanford.  The game was postponed for a week because of JFK's assassination in Dallas the day before it was to have been played.  The Indians won 28-17, but all I can really remember are the chills that went down my spine when I heard the trumpet solo used by the Stanford Band to open its rendition of the national anthem.  Unforgettable.

[Mick]

Great stuff Terry. 

I would second 82LSJU's nomination of 1988, the famous Tuan Van Le blocked FG! An improbable tie for LSJU. It was the first Revenge of The Play. The sequel two years later was even better!

This was my actual favorite memory. Happened right in front of me (I was in row 10 or so), I was surrounded by Cal fans. A great moment.

[Mick]

Great stuff Terry. 

I would second 82LSJU's nomination of 1988, the famous Tuan Van Le blocked FG! An improbable tie for LSJU. It was the first Revenge of The Play. The sequel two years later was even better!

This was my actual favorite memory. Happened right in front of me (I was in row 10 or so), I was surrounded by Cal fans. A great moment.

[Spiny_Norman]

In the 1990 highlights, look for the effort of 26 JJ Lasley on the onside kick. In the scrum he taps the ball away from a Cal player so that it could be recovered by Dan Byers. Byers admitted later that his feet were out of bounds when he recovered the ball then he quickly got up before the officials could notice.

Who is the play by play guy? Hal ??? A classic finish needs a classic call and he nailed it.

The 1991 highlights are also pretty sweet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liO4n7rortg

[Spiny_Norman]

In the 1990 highlights, look for the effort of 26 JJ Lasley on the onside kick. In the scrum he taps the ball away from a Cal player so that it could be recovered by Dan Byers. Byers admitted later that his feet were out of bounds when he recovered the ball then he quickly got up before the officials could notice.

Who is the play by play guy? Hal ??? A classic finish needs a classic call and he nailed it.

The 1991 highlights are also pretty sweet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liO4n7rortg

[threepointer]

1976 - Carol Doda conducted the Stanford Band for a couple of songs.

I got her autograph on a copy of the Big Game edition of the Stanford Daily.

That is a good memory.

And then we won the game.

[threepointer]

1976 - Carol Doda conducted the Stanford Band for a couple of songs.

I got her autograph on a copy of the Big Game edition of the Stanford Daily.

That is a good memory.

And then we won the game.

[82lsju]

In the 1990 highlights, look for the effort of 26 JJ Lasley on the onside kick. In the scrum he taps the ball away from a Cal player so that it could be recovered by Dan Byers. Byers admitted later that his feet were out of bounds when he recovered the ball then he quickly got up before the officials could notice.

Who is the play by play guy? Hal ??? A classic finish needs a classic call and he nailed it.

The 1991 highlights are also pretty sweet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liO4n7rortg

but they don't show Bob Whitfield flipping off the Cal bench...

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x25hjbu

[82lsju]

In the 1990 highlights, look for the effort of 26 JJ Lasley on the onside kick. In the scrum he taps the ball away from a Cal player so that it could be recovered by Dan Byers. Byers admitted later that his feet were out of bounds when he recovered the ball then he quickly got up before the officials could notice.

Who is the play by play guy? Hal ??? A classic finish needs a classic call and he nailed it.

The 1991 highlights are also pretty sweet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liO4n7rortg

but they don't show Bob Whitfield flipping off the Cal bench...

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x25hjbu

[Red80]

This week's Big Game will be the 48th Big Game I've attended. That's every Big Game since 1975, except the 2020 Covid quarantine game.

Stanford's record in the 47 games I've attended is 28-18-1.

Some of my favorite Big Game memories, in no particular order:

1990 -- A great game. Glyn Milburn had 379 all-purpose yards. Then came the miracle finish, with Stanford scoring 9 points in the last 12 seconds to win it on John Hopkins' field goal.

2000 -- The only overtime Big Game. Stanford won on a TD pass from Randy Fasani to Casey Moore.

1976 -- An entertaining back-and-forth game. Stanford recovered a fumble at the Cal 2 yard line late in the fourth quarter to set up the winning TD.

1999 -- Casey Moore's 94-yard "Run for the Roses" clinched Stanford's first Rose Bowl appearance in 28 years.

2007 -- Nick Sanchez clinched the game with an interception in the last 2 minutes. Stanford's win broke a 5-game Big Game losing streak.

1991 -- Tommy Vardell ran for 182 yards and Stanford upset #6 ranked Cal.

2010 -- Andrew Luck led Stanford to a dominant win, highlighted by Luck's 58-yard run during which he flattened a would-be tackler.

 

Stanford was actually a 2 point favorite in the 1991 Big Game. 

I was drinking heavily at a bar the night before and bet my friend that Stanford would win...and I gave him 14 points.

---

In the 1990 highlights, look for the effort of 26 JJ Lasley on the onside kick. In the scrum he taps the ball away from a Cal player so that it could be recovered by Dan Byers. Byers admitted later that his feet were out of bounds when he recovered the ball then he quickly got up before the officials could notice.

Who is the play by play guy? Hal ??? A classic finish needs a classic call and he nailed it.

The 1991 highlights are also pretty sweet.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liO4n7rortg

but they don't show Bob Whitfield flipping off the Cal bench...



https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x25hjbu

In the 4th quarter of the '91 BG, Whitfield was repeatedly telling the cal DL, "Here comes Tommy, right up my back."

[Red80]

This week's Big Game will be the 48th Big Game I've attended. That's every Big Game since 1975, except the 2020 Covid quarantine game.

Stanford's record in the 47 games I've attended is 28-18-1.

Some of my favorite Big Game memories, in no particular order:

1990 -- A great game. Glyn Milburn had 379 all-purpose yards. Then came the miracle finish, with Stanford scoring 9 points in the last 12 seconds to win it on John Hopkins' field goal.

2000 -- The only overtime Big Game. Stanford won on a TD pass from Randy Fasani to Casey Moore.

1976 -- An entertaining back-and-forth game. Stanford recovered a fumble at the Cal 2 yard line late in the fourth quarter to set up the winning TD.

1999 -- Casey Moore's 94-yard "Run for the Roses" clinched Stanford's first Rose Bowl appearance in 28 years.

2007 -- Nick Sanchez clinched the game with an interception in the last 2 minutes. Stanford's win broke a 5-game Big Game losing streak.

1991 -- Tommy Vardell ran for 182 yards and Stanford upset #6 ranked Cal.

2010 -- Andrew Luck led Stanford to a dominant win, highlighted by Luck's 58-yard run during which he flattened a would-be tackler.

 

Stanford was actually a 2 point favorite in the 1991 Big Game. 

I was drinking heavily at a bar the night before and bet my friend that Stanford would win...and I gave him 14 points.

---

In the 1990 highlights, look for the effort of 26 JJ Lasley on the onside kick. In the scrum he taps the ball away from a Cal player so that it could be recovered by Dan Byers. Byers admitted later that his feet were out of bounds when he recovered the ball then he quickly got up before the officials could notice.

Who is the play by play guy? Hal ??? A classic finish needs a classic call and he nailed it.

The 1991 highlights are also pretty sweet.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liO4n7rortg

but they don't show Bob Whitfield flipping off the Cal bench...



https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x25hjbu

In the 4th quarter of the '91 BG, Whitfield was repeatedly telling the cal DL, "Here comes Tommy, right up my back."

[terry]

In the 1990 highlights, look for the effort of 26 JJ Lasley on the onside kick. In the scrum he taps the ball away from a Cal player so that it could be recovered by Dan Byers. Byers admitted later that his feet were out of bounds when he recovered the ball then he quickly got up before the officials could notice.

Was it Dan Byers or Kevin Scott who said his feet may have been out of bounds?

[terry]

In the 1990 highlights, look for the effort of 26 JJ Lasley on the onside kick. In the scrum he taps the ball away from a Cal player so that it could be recovered by Dan Byers. Byers admitted later that his feet were out of bounds when he recovered the ball then he quickly got up before the officials could notice.

Was it Dan Byers or Kevin Scott who said his feet may have been out of bounds?

[Spiny_Norman]

In the 1990 highlights, look for the effort of 26 JJ Lasley on the onside kick. In the scrum he taps the ball away from a Cal player so that it could be recovered by Dan Byers. Byers admitted later that his feet were out of bounds when he recovered the ball then he quickly got up before the officials could notice.

Was it Dan Byers or Kevin Scott who said his feet may have been out of bounds?

Terry, as usual, you are there to correct my imperfect memory. It was Kevin Scott.

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-...story.html

Scott admitted later that he was out of bounds when he recovered the kick.

“My feet were out of bounds, but my knees were in bounds,” Scott said. “But it’s too late to give it back. There’s no instant replay in college football.”

[Spiny_Norman]

In the 1990 highlights, look for the effort of 26 JJ Lasley on the onside kick. In the scrum he taps the ball away from a Cal player so that it could be recovered by Dan Byers. Byers admitted later that his feet were out of bounds when he recovered the ball then he quickly got up before the officials could notice.

Was it Dan Byers or Kevin Scott who said his feet may have been out of bounds?

Terry, as usual, you are there to correct my imperfect memory. It was Kevin Scott.

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-...story.html

Scott admitted later that he was out of bounds when he recovered the kick.

“My feet were out of bounds, but my knees were in bounds,” Scott said. “But it’s too late to give it back. There’s no instant replay in college football.”

[Nobadeer]

Weren't there two Kevin Scotts playing for LSJU, maybe even at the same time?

[Nobadeer]

Weren't there two Kevin Scotts playing for LSJU, maybe even at the same time?

[terry]

Weren't there two Kevin Scotts playing for LSJU, maybe even at the same time?

Yes, Stanford had two Kevin Scotts.

Kevin B. Scott played from 1983 through 1986. He was a running back. I believe he was from Washington and wore # 24. In his career, he had 191 rushing attempts for 796 yards and 78 receptions for 600 yards. He played for a season with the Chargers and a season with the Cowboys.

Kevin T. Scott played from 1987 through 1990. He was a defensive back. I believe he was from Arizona and wore # 3. In his career, he had 220 tackles and 8 interceptions. He was a 4th round draft pick in 1991 and played four seasons with the Lions.

Both Kevin Scotts returned kickoffs. Kevin B. Scott averaged 24.0 yards on 46 career returns, an average that ranks 10th in Stanford history. Kevin T. Scott averaged 20.0 yards on 62 career returns.

[terry]

Weren't there two Kevin Scotts playing for LSJU, maybe even at the same time?

Yes, Stanford had two Kevin Scotts.

Kevin B. Scott played from 1983 through 1986. He was a running back. I believe he was from Washington and wore # 24. In his career, he had 191 rushing attempts for 796 yards and 78 receptions for 600 yards. He played for a season with the Chargers and a season with the Cowboys.

Kevin T. Scott played from 1987 through 1990. He was a defensive back. I believe he was from Arizona and wore # 3. In his career, he had 220 tackles and 8 interceptions. He was a 4th round draft pick in 1991 and played four seasons with the Lions.

Both Kevin Scotts returned kickoffs. Kevin B. Scott averaged 24.0 yards on 46 career returns, an average that ranks 10th in Stanford history. Kevin T. Scott averaged 20.0 yards on 62 career returns.