11/22/25 11:27:00
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11/22 23:23 CST Stanford beats Cal 31-10, ends four-game losing streak in the
Big Game
Stanford beats Cal 31-10, ends four-game losing streak in the Big Game
By JOSH DUBOW
AP Sports Writer
STANFORD, Calif. (AP) --- Jay Green and Darrius Davis returned fumbles for
touchdowns to help Stanford snap a four-game losing streak in the Big Game with
a 31-10 victory over mistake-prone California on Saturday.
The Cardinal (4-7, 3-5 ACC) took advantage of three lost fumbles and 13
penalties by the Golden Bears (6-5, 3-4) to get their first win in the rivalry
since the 2020 pandemic season and first at home since 2017.
"It's truly amazing," said linebacker Jahsia Galvan, who forced the second
fumble return touchdown. "It's unlike anything I've ever been part of. True
euphoria. This game with so much tradition, so much history to be able to go
out and get a W and bring The Axe back to Stanford means the world to everyone
that is part of the program."
The win improved Stanford to 4-1 at home this season under interim coach Frank
Reich and gave the Cardinal their most wins in a season since going 4-2 in the
shortened 2020 campaign.
Stanford pulled away by scoring three times in a span of just over seven
minutes starting late in the third quarter. Emmet Kenney made a 36-yard field
goal after missing his first two tries to make it 17-10.
The Cardinal then quickly got the ball back when Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe
Sagapolutele fumbled a shotgun snap that was recovered by Matt Rose at the
Bears' 20. Micah Ford ran it in from 4 yards out four plays later to the
delight of the Cardinal contingent in the rare big crowd of 50,039 at Stanford
Stadium.
Elijah Brown then hit CJ Williams for a 34-yard touchdown to make it 31-10 with
10:01 to play.
"There were plenty of opportunities to move the ball and score touchdowns and
keep them off the field. We didn't do it." Cal coach Justin Wilcox said. "We
just shot ourselves in the foot way too many times."
The loss comes one game after Cal beat No. 14 Louisville on the road for its
first win over a ranked opponent since 2020 and will likley raise more
questions about the job security for Wilcox, who hasn't finished a season with
a winning record since 2019.
"I understand their pain," Wilcox said about the fan base. "I understand the
frustration. We're working as hard as we possibly can to play as good as we can
and we didn't do that tonight."
Stanford led 14-10 at the half despite gaining only 71 yards and scoring no
points on offense. Green returned Jacob De Jesus' fumble 49 yards early in the
second quarter for a TD.
The Cardinal struck again late in the half when Galvan forced a fumble by
Kendrick Raphael and Davis returned it 17 yards.
"Scoring two touchdowns, are you kidding me," Reich said. "We were struggling
on offense. 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."
The Takeaway
California: The Bears tied for their most penalties (13) and had their most
penalty yards (128) in a game in nine seasons under Wilcox, along with the
three lost fumbles in a sloppy performance.
Stanford: The Cardinal have shown good progress in the first season under
general manager Andrew Luck. The win in the Big Game assures Stanford of
improving its win total after four straight 3-9 seasons and will set the stage
for when the new coach is hired.
Up next
California: Hosts SMU on Saturday.
Stanford: Hosts No. 9 Notre Dame on Saturday.
___
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