Nov 203 min read

Golden Bears Host Stanford in the 127th 'Big Game'

First played in 1892, the rivalry series between the Stanford Cardinal (3-7, 2-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) and the Cal Golden Bears (5-5, 1-5) is one of the oldest in college football. Nicknamed the "Big Game," this year's matchup will be the 127th between the two most prominent universities in the San Francisco Bay Area. Kickoff is scheduled at 3:30 p.m. EST on Nov. 23 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif.

While the Golden Bears are favored by 14 points in this iteration of the "Big Game," the Cardinal holds the all-time series lead at 66-53-11. Cal won last year's matchup 27-15 at Stanford Stadium.

That Crazy Band, 'The Play'

A major component of the allure and greatness of college football is the pomp and circumstance attendant to the games. Stanford's band is an integral part of this appealing aspect of college football. Known for its quirky antics, the band was involved in one of the most iconic moments in college football history:

The Eccentric Stanford Cardinal Band | The Big Game

Known simply as "The Play," Cal made a remarkable kickoff return for a touchdown as time expired during the annual rivalry game with Stanford. "The Play" occurred in the 1982 "Big Game." Famously, members of the Stanford band, thinking the Cardinal had won the game, were on the field as Cal scored after multiple laterals. Golden Bears defensive back and return specialist Kevin Moen ran through and over Stanford band members on his way into the end zone.

The dramatic audio of sportscaster Joe Starkey's frenetic call of the play is the stuff of legends. With his voice cracking, Starkey exclaimed, "Oh, the band is on the field!" In real time, he described the series of laterals and the eventual game-winning score as "the most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heartrending, exciting, thrilling finish in the history of college football!"

The Stakes in the 127th 'Big Game'

While Stanford's postseason aspirations were extinguished earlier, the Golden Bears need one more win to attain bowl eligibility. More importantly, from the perspectives of the two teams and their fanbases, bragging rights and "the Axe" are on the line. Since 1933, the winner of the game takes possession of the Stanford Axe.

Key Players

Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Elic Ayomanor is the star of the Cardinal offense. After accumulating 1,013 receiving yards in 2023, he was named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List. This year, despite being frequently double-teamed by opponents, he has 48 receptions for 660 yards for 6 touchdowns.

In Stanford's dramatic victory over the Louisville Cardinals (6-4, 4-3) on Nov. 16, Ayomanor's fellow WR, freshman Emmett Mosley V, had a breakout game with 13 receptions for 168 yards and 3 TDs.

Cardinal QB Ashton Daniels will undoubtedly target these two talented receivers as Stanford seeks to reclaim the Axe.

Daniels will seek to avoid elite Cal cornerback Nohl Williams, the nation's interception leader with 7, including 1 he returned for a TD. One of the country's elite defenders, Williams also has 38 tackles and was recently named a Bednarik Award semifinalist.

The stout Golden Bears' defense has held opponents to an average of 20.7 points per game. The defense, as a whole, has reeled in 17 INTs while QB Fernando Mendoza has thrown only 6.