[Hank 91]

As my thoughts begin to turn towards summer vacation and the run-up to Stanford football, I started looking back at some games from the past. Today's game is the 2011 triple overtime classic win over U,S,C. I have no new content to offer, I just tweeted the link to my original recap just for fun, but it got me thinking. I live thirty minutes from the Coliseum, but I watched that game from my couch. Maybe the worst sports decision I've ever made. So what are your memories of that game?

Here's my recap:
http://www.gomightycard.com/2011/10/stan...8-3ot.html

[Hank 91]

As my thoughts begin to turn towards summer vacation and the run-up to Stanford football, I started looking back at some games from the past. Today's game is the 2011 triple overtime classic win over U,S,C. I have no new content to offer, I just tweeted the link to my original recap just for fun, but it got me thinking. I live thirty minutes from the Coliseum, but I watched that game from my couch. Maybe the worst sports decision I've ever made. So what are your memories of that game?

Here's my recap:
http://www.gomightycard.com/2011/10/stan...8-3ot.html

[qwerty49]

I was at a wake for a very good friend, who was a big Stanford fan.  The game was on in another room, and several of us drifted in and out from time to time.  When our NT (I'm drawing a blank -- Stephens?) popped the ball out and it was suddenly over, we looked at each other and kind of nodded. We knew who really made the play.   :)

[qwerty49]

I was at a wake for a very good friend, who was a big Stanford fan.  The game was on in another room, and several of us drifted in and out from time to time.  When our NT (I'm drawing a blank -- Stephens?) popped the ball out and it was suddenly over, we looked at each other and kind of nodded. We knew who really made the play.   :)

[Nan3cy]

Nice to see you got your name back, Hank.

[Nan3cy]

Nice to see you got your name back, Hank.

[Hurlburt88]

I was at my sister's . . . and woke her kids yelling when Stephens made that play

[Hurlburt88]

I was at my sister's . . . and woke her kids yelling when Stephens made that play

[burger]

Ugh, this game happened on day 1 or 2 of what ended up being a 6+ day power outage in western Massachusetts (early snow + leaves still on trees = all power lines come down) that left me with no outside communications except text and phone calls.  I held out from asking about the score for a day, hoping I could watch the game online.  But by Monday morning I had given up hope of the power outage ending soon and texted a friend for the score.  I'm still bitter about missing this one.

[burger]

Ugh, this game happened on day 1 or 2 of what ended up being a 6+ day power outage in western Massachusetts (early snow + leaves still on trees = all power lines come down) that left me with no outside communications except text and phone calls.  I held out from asking about the score for a day, hoping I could watch the game online.  But by Monday morning I had given up hope of the power outage ending soon and texted a friend for the score.  I'm still bitter about missing this one.

[Redrum]

What a great flashback!  Makes up for a LOT of Stanford finishes that weren't so magic.  I remember hanging out back here very late in the CST getting that old, old feeling that Stanford would find a way to blow it  [Sorry, the PTSD from the Buddy years has lessened but not completely gone away].  Anyway, the BEST schadenfreude moment was the look on Barkley's face and his whole affect as and after it all fell apart.  He'd had that USC swagger, the confidence that they were the Football Gods' chosen people. And then...they weren't !! 

Thanks SO much Hank.  Got a little bit of the residual high going for me.

[Redrum]

What a great flashback!  Makes up for a LOT of Stanford finishes that weren't so magic.  I remember hanging out back here very late in the CST getting that old, old feeling that Stanford would find a way to blow it  [Sorry, the PTSD from the Buddy years has lessened but not completely gone away].  Anyway, the BEST schadenfreude moment was the look on Barkley's face and his whole affect as and after it all fell apart.  He'd had that USC swagger, the confidence that they were the Football Gods' chosen people. And then...they weren't !! 

Thanks SO much Hank.  Got a little bit of the residual high going for me.

[BostonCard]

As my thoughts begin to turn towards summer vacation and the run-up to Stanford football, I started looking back at some games from the past. Today's game is the 2011 triple overtime classic win over U,S,C. I have no new content to offer, I just tweeted the link to my original recap just for fun, but it got me thinking. I live thirty minutes from the Coliseum, but I watched that game from my couch. Maybe the worst sports decision I've ever made. So what are your memories of that game?

Here's my recap:
http://www.gomightycard.com/2011/10/stan...8-3ot.html

My favorite memory of the game was the video of Stanford students watching it in their dorm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib4H6RYrG1I

The sheer joy after the final fumble at the 4:38 mark still sends shivers down my spine.

BC

[BostonCard]

As my thoughts begin to turn towards summer vacation and the run-up to Stanford football, I started looking back at some games from the past. Today's game is the 2011 triple overtime classic win over U,S,C. I have no new content to offer, I just tweeted the link to my original recap just for fun, but it got me thinking. I live thirty minutes from the Coliseum, but I watched that game from my couch. Maybe the worst sports decision I've ever made. So what are your memories of that game?

Here's my recap:
http://www.gomightycard.com/2011/10/stan...8-3ot.html

My favorite memory of the game was the video of Stanford students watching it in their dorm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib4H6RYrG1I

The sheer joy after the final fumble at the 4:38 mark still sends shivers down my spine.

BC

[Hank 91]

Anyway, the BEST schadenfreude moment was the look on Barkley's face and his whole affect as and after it all fell apart.  He'd had that USC swagger, the confidence that they were the Football Gods' chosen people. And then...they weren't !! 

It's funny you mention that, because one of my strongest memories from the game -- and this somehow didn't make it into my recap -- was the look of pure joy and triumph on Barkley's face as he ran out onto the field after the pick six that put them up seven with three minutes and change left to play. Even though I understood his joy, I remember feeling two things -- one, the game wasn't over; and two, he seemed to be celebrating as if he actually had had something to do with the play. It really pissed me off.

Then the cameras immediately cut to Luck, who had already gotten over his disappointment and was focused on what would come next. In an interview afterwards he said that the interception really hadn't changed anything -- he still needed to go the length of the field for a touchdown. So, you know, no biggie. And the rest played out the way it did.

[Hank 91]

Anyway, the BEST schadenfreude moment was the look on Barkley's face and his whole affect as and after it all fell apart.  He'd had that USC swagger, the confidence that they were the Football Gods' chosen people. And then...they weren't !! 

It's funny you mention that, because one of my strongest memories from the game -- and this somehow didn't make it into my recap -- was the look of pure joy and triumph on Barkley's face as he ran out onto the field after the pick six that put them up seven with three minutes and change left to play. Even though I understood his joy, I remember feeling two things -- one, the game wasn't over; and two, he seemed to be celebrating as if he actually had had something to do with the play. It really pissed me off.

Then the cameras immediately cut to Luck, who had already gotten over his disappointment and was focused on what would come next. In an interview afterwards he said that the interception really hadn't changed anything -- he still needed to go the length of the field for a touchdown. So, you know, no biggie. And the rest played out the way it did.

[pefloresjr]

I remember being at the game thinking we were on a game winning drive when Andrew Luck threw the pick six on the infamous Spider 3 Y Banana play.  At that point I was completely demoralized.  I was amazed that we pulled off the two minute drill to tie the game and go to overtime because I didn't think the team would be able to rise back up in a road game.  I was stunned in the overtime at how easily they scored and how we seemed to be hanging on by a thread.  Then on their possession in the third overtime from those terrible seats at the opposite end of the stadium, I saw our team starting to celebrate and saw our fans start to celebrate, so I started to celebrate.  Then I asked my seatmates what the hell had actually happened.  I don't think they ever showed a replay at the Coliseum but I knew we had won when the SC team started leaving the field dejectedly.  We just stayed and celebrated with the band until the team came over and it was pure joy.  We stayed until the band got kicked out so that the more aggressive, drunken SC fans would have a chance to be on their way before we headed out.  We bought the best tasting bacon-wrapped hot dogs ever and raced home to watch the replay on my friend's tv.  One of the best sporting events I have ever attended.   

Cheers,
Pete F.

[pefloresjr]

I remember being at the game thinking we were on a game winning drive when Andrew Luck threw the pick six on the infamous Spider 3 Y Banana play.  At that point I was completely demoralized.  I was amazed that we pulled off the two minute drill to tie the game and go to overtime because I didn't think the team would be able to rise back up in a road game.  I was stunned in the overtime at how easily they scored and how we seemed to be hanging on by a thread.  Then on their possession in the third overtime from those terrible seats at the opposite end of the stadium, I saw our team starting to celebrate and saw our fans start to celebrate, so I started to celebrate.  Then I asked my seatmates what the hell had actually happened.  I don't think they ever showed a replay at the Coliseum but I knew we had won when the SC team started leaving the field dejectedly.  We just stayed and celebrated with the band until the team came over and it was pure joy.  We stayed until the band got kicked out so that the more aggressive, drunken SC fans would have a chance to be on their way before we headed out.  We bought the best tasting bacon-wrapped hot dogs ever and raced home to watch the replay on my friend's tv.  One of the best sporting events I have ever attended.   

Cheers,
Pete F.

[Hank 91]

I remember being at the game thinking we were on a game winning drive when Andrew Luck threw the pick six on the infamous Spider 3 Y Banana play.  At that point I was completely demoralized.  I was amazed that we pulled off the two minute drill to tie the game and go to overtime because I didn't think the team would be able to rise back up in a road game.  I was stunned in the overtime at how easily they scored and how we seemed to be hanging on by a thread.  Then on their possession in the third overtime from those terrible seats at the opposite end of the stadium, I saw our team starting to celebrate and saw our fans start to celebrate, so I started to celebrate.  Then I asked my seatmates what the hell had actually happened.  I don't think they ever showed a replay at the Coliseum but I knew we had won when the SC team started leaving the field dejectedly.  We just stayed and celebrated with the band until the team came over and it was pure joy.  We stayed until the band got kicked out so that the more aggressive, drunken SC fans would have a chance to be on their way before we headed out.  We bought the best tasting bacon-wrapped hot dogs ever and raced home to watch the replay on my friend's tv.  One of the best sporting events I have ever attended.   

Cheers,
Pete F.

I'm glad you mentioned the bacon-wrapped hotdogs. I don't know if this is a thing in the rest of the country, but you can't go to any event in the L.A. area without seeing these vendors on the sidewalks afterward. Last week I took my daughters to a Taylor Swift concert at the Rose Bowl, and when I met them at the gate afterwards, we only walked a few steps before we came across a vendor.  I explained, "Now that you've been to your first concert, you need to have your first post-concert bacon-wrapped hotdog." It's a rite of passage.

[Hank 91]

I remember being at the game thinking we were on a game winning drive when Andrew Luck threw the pick six on the infamous Spider 3 Y Banana play.  At that point I was completely demoralized.  I was amazed that we pulled off the two minute drill to tie the game and go to overtime because I didn't think the team would be able to rise back up in a road game.  I was stunned in the overtime at how easily they scored and how we seemed to be hanging on by a thread.  Then on their possession in the third overtime from those terrible seats at the opposite end of the stadium, I saw our team starting to celebrate and saw our fans start to celebrate, so I started to celebrate.  Then I asked my seatmates what the hell had actually happened.  I don't think they ever showed a replay at the Coliseum but I knew we had won when the SC team started leaving the field dejectedly.  We just stayed and celebrated with the band until the team came over and it was pure joy.  We stayed until the band got kicked out so that the more aggressive, drunken SC fans would have a chance to be on their way before we headed out.  We bought the best tasting bacon-wrapped hot dogs ever and raced home to watch the replay on my friend's tv.  One of the best sporting events I have ever attended.   

Cheers,
Pete F.

I'm glad you mentioned the bacon-wrapped hotdogs. I don't know if this is a thing in the rest of the country, but you can't go to any event in the L.A. area without seeing these vendors on the sidewalks afterward. Last week I took my daughters to a Taylor Swift concert at the Rose Bowl, and when I met them at the gate afterwards, we only walked a few steps before we came across a vendor.  I explained, "Now that you've been to your first concert, you need to have your first post-concert bacon-wrapped hotdog." It's a rite of passage.

[BostonCard]

I remember being at the game thinking we were on a game winning drive when Andrew Luck threw the pick six on the infamous Spider 3 Y Banana play.  At that point I was completely demoralized.  I was amazed that we pulled off the two minute drill to tie the game and go to overtime because I didn't think the team would be able to rise back up in a road game.  I was stunned in the overtime at how easily they scored and how we seemed to be hanging on by a thread.  Then on their possession in the third overtime from those terrible seats at the opposite end of the stadium, I saw our team starting to celebrate and saw our fans start to celebrate, so I started to celebrate.  Then I asked my seatmates what the hell had actually happened.  I don't think they ever showed a replay at the Coliseum but I knew we had won when the SC team started leaving the field dejectedly.  We just stayed and celebrated with the band until the team came over and it was pure joy.  We stayed until the band got kicked out so that the more aggressive, drunken SC fans would have a chance to be on their way before we headed out.  We bought the best tasting bacon-wrapped hot dogs ever and raced home to watch the replay on my friend's tv.  One of the best sporting events I have ever attended.   

Cheers,
Pete F.

I'm glad you mentioned the bacon-wrapped hotdogs. I don't know if this is a thing in the rest of the country, but you can't go to any event in the L.A. area without seeing these vendors on the sidewalks afterward. Last week I took my daughters to a Taylor Swift concert at the Rose Bowl, and when I met them at the gate afterwards, we only walked a few steps before we came across a vendor.  I explained, "Now that you've been to your first concert, you need to have your first post-concert bacon-wrapped hotdog." It's a rite of passage.

They are outside of Stanford stadium after football games as well.

Agree they really satisfy.

BC

[BostonCard]

I remember being at the game thinking we were on a game winning drive when Andrew Luck threw the pick six on the infamous Spider 3 Y Banana play.  At that point I was completely demoralized.  I was amazed that we pulled off the two minute drill to tie the game and go to overtime because I didn't think the team would be able to rise back up in a road game.  I was stunned in the overtime at how easily they scored and how we seemed to be hanging on by a thread.  Then on their possession in the third overtime from those terrible seats at the opposite end of the stadium, I saw our team starting to celebrate and saw our fans start to celebrate, so I started to celebrate.  Then I asked my seatmates what the hell had actually happened.  I don't think they ever showed a replay at the Coliseum but I knew we had won when the SC team started leaving the field dejectedly.  We just stayed and celebrated with the band until the team came over and it was pure joy.  We stayed until the band got kicked out so that the more aggressive, drunken SC fans would have a chance to be on their way before we headed out.  We bought the best tasting bacon-wrapped hot dogs ever and raced home to watch the replay on my friend's tv.  One of the best sporting events I have ever attended.   

Cheers,
Pete F.

I'm glad you mentioned the bacon-wrapped hotdogs. I don't know if this is a thing in the rest of the country, but you can't go to any event in the L.A. area without seeing these vendors on the sidewalks afterward. Last week I took my daughters to a Taylor Swift concert at the Rose Bowl, and when I met them at the gate afterwards, we only walked a few steps before we came across a vendor.  I explained, "Now that you've been to your first concert, you need to have your first post-concert bacon-wrapped hotdog." It's a rite of passage.

They are outside of Stanford stadium after football games as well.

Agree they really satisfy.

BC

[Spiny_Norman]

I'll add a couple of other details that made the game even more epic. I have been going to Stanford-USC games at the Coliseum for a looong time and this was the game that I had anticipated the most.

Stanford entered the game undefeated. They were 7-0 and ranked #4. They were working on a 15 game winning streak dating back to the Oregon loss at Eugene in 2010. They had a streak of 10 consecutive games won by a margin of 26 points or more.  Stanford had destroyed #22 Washington the week prior while rushing for over 400 yards. Stanford was on a path that would lead to an expected clash of titans vs. Oregon in two weeks. Winner take all for the conference championship and a Rose Bowl berth (at a minimum).

To continue on this season of destiny that we felt could be one of the greatest in Stanford history, Stanford had to get past the Trojans. Two years prior, Stanford had crushed the Trojans 55-21 in the famous What's Your Deal game. The year before, Stanford had won on a FG by Nate Whitaker on the final play of the game. And of course everyone has a story about where they were October 6, 2007 during the Greatest Upset of All Time. Stanford vs. USC was developing into one of the best rivalries in the country.

I am usually cautious before big games, especially vs USC, remembering disappointments and crushing defeats from the past. But this team had infused me with a rare confidence. I was so pumped for this game that I was ready to put on shoulder pads and a helmet and hit someone myself. The Stanford section at the Coliseum was packed with like-minded fans. The fact that we were surrounded by approximately 90,000 Trojan fans made it seem that we were pilgrims in an unholy land.

I rode the emotional roller coaster during this game like everyone else. It started before kickoff when we learned that Jordan Williamson had injured himself during pre-game warmups. Eric Whitaker (Nate's brother) would be kicking for the first time in his Stanford career on national tv in the biggest game of the season so far. D**n. Then Jonathan Martin got injured during the game. I think there were other Stanford injuries during the game as well. Yet somehow the team persevered.

I won't recap the game since Hank did it so well in his GMC write up. But I will add that when I was at my lowest point after Robey had scored on the pick 6 and the 90,000 fans were going crazy and the USC coaches and players on the sideline were going crazy, I heard the PA announcer remind the fans to stay off the field after the game. I wanted to yell at everyone that the game was not over, there was still time for Stanford to tie things up. I needn't have worried. The Stanford team was already getting ready to take care of business.

[Spiny_Norman]

I'll add a couple of other details that made the game even more epic. I have been going to Stanford-USC games at the Coliseum for a looong time and this was the game that I had anticipated the most.

Stanford entered the game undefeated. They were 7-0 and ranked #4. They were working on a 15 game winning streak dating back to the Oregon loss at Eugene in 2010. They had a streak of 10 consecutive games won by a margin of 26 points or more.  Stanford had destroyed #22 Washington the week prior while rushing for over 400 yards. Stanford was on a path that would lead to an expected clash of titans vs. Oregon in two weeks. Winner take all for the conference championship and a Rose Bowl berth (at a minimum).

To continue on this season of destiny that we felt could be one of the greatest in Stanford history, Stanford had to get past the Trojans. Two years prior, Stanford had crushed the Trojans 55-21 in the famous What's Your Deal game. The year before, Stanford had won on a FG by Nate Whitaker on the final play of the game. And of course everyone has a story about where they were October 6, 2007 during the Greatest Upset of All Time. Stanford vs. USC was developing into one of the best rivalries in the country.

I am usually cautious before big games, especially vs USC, remembering disappointments and crushing defeats from the past. But this team had infused me with a rare confidence. I was so pumped for this game that I was ready to put on shoulder pads and a helmet and hit someone myself. The Stanford section at the Coliseum was packed with like-minded fans. The fact that we were surrounded by approximately 90,000 Trojan fans made it seem that we were pilgrims in an unholy land.

I rode the emotional roller coaster during this game like everyone else. It started before kickoff when we learned that Jordan Williamson had injured himself during pre-game warmups. Eric Whitaker (Nate's brother) would be kicking for the first time in his Stanford career on national tv in the biggest game of the season so far. D**n. Then Jonathan Martin got injured during the game. I think there were other Stanford injuries during the game as well. Yet somehow the team persevered.

I won't recap the game since Hank did it so well in his GMC write up. But I will add that when I was at my lowest point after Robey had scored on the pick 6 and the 90,000 fans were going crazy and the USC coaches and players on the sideline were going crazy, I heard the PA announcer remind the fans to stay off the field after the game. I wanted to yell at everyone that the game was not over, there was still time for Stanford to tie things up. I needn't have worried. The Stanford team was already getting ready to take care of business.

[Langdude]

I was watching the game with my four-year-old daughter. I made her cry because she got so scared when I suddenly screamed after the fumble.

-m.

[Langdude]

I was watching the game with my four-year-old daughter. I made her cry because she got so scared when I suddenly screamed after the fumble.

-m.

[CardinalSagehen]

I was watching the game with my four-year-old daughter. I made her cry because she got so scared when I suddenly screamed after the fumble.

-m.

Funny!  My kids were 3 and 1 at time.  In the interest of watching the game in peace (and not startling any toddlers to tears over my zeal), I had to start the game on DVR at 9:30 or 10pm.  I remember seeing the conclusion well after midnight and not being able to sleep for a couple hours after that, my head swimming with Oregon and BCS scenarios.  

I don’t mean to knock the current team at all, but a loss to SC this year (or any loss) would be half-expected.  Though horrible, it wouldn’t feel like such an incredible shame because it feels like there’s less to lose now in general. The fan base was way more energized back then, and expectations were through the roof.  I don’t anticipate the same level of drama for game 2 or any particular game this season. 

But I will absolutely be present in the stands, and I’d love to be wrong!  We have the makings of a great offense this year, and I’m just hoping to be pleasantly surprised by the next men up on D!

[CardinalSagehen]

I was watching the game with my four-year-old daughter. I made her cry because she got so scared when I suddenly screamed after the fumble.

-m.

Funny!  My kids were 3 and 1 at time.  In the interest of watching the game in peace (and not startling any toddlers to tears over my zeal), I had to start the game on DVR at 9:30 or 10pm.  I remember seeing the conclusion well after midnight and not being able to sleep for a couple hours after that, my head swimming with Oregon and BCS scenarios.  

I don’t mean to knock the current team at all, but a loss to SC this year (or any loss) would be half-expected.  Though horrible, it wouldn’t feel like such an incredible shame because it feels like there’s less to lose now in general. The fan base was way more energized back then, and expectations were through the roof.  I don’t anticipate the same level of drama for game 2 or any particular game this season. 

But I will absolutely be present in the stands, and I’d love to be wrong!  We have the makings of a great offense this year, and I’m just hoping to be pleasantly surprised by the next men up on D!