BERKELEY – Stanford got off to a dream start but ran out of steam in the 127th Big Game, giving up the final 17 points in a 24-21 loss to California.
Coming off its first win over a ranked opponent in three years, Stanford’s defense held Cal to 10 points through three quarters but gave up a 98-yard touchdown drive in the final minutes as the Golden Bears (6-5, 2-5) won their fourth straight in the rivalry and clinched bowl eligibility.
Ashton Daniels completed his first nine passes for 87 yards, Justin Lamsom had two short touchdown runs and Stanford held Cal to one first down in the first quarter as the Cardinal took a 14-0 lead, quieting the home crowd at a sold-out Memorial Stadium.
A 50-yard scramble by Fernando Mendoza finally got the Golden Bears going, and a 16-yard TD pass from Mendoza made it 14-7 early in the second quarter. That remained the score going into halftime after Stanford kicker Emmet Kenney missed a 53-yarder – one yard longer than his winning kick against No. 22 Louisville last week – and Cal missed from 51.
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A trick play put Stanford (3-8, 2-6) back up 14 in the third quarter when freshman running back Micah Ford threw a halfback option pass to receiver Emmett Mosley V on fourth-and-goal from the 2. Cal fumbled the ensuing kickoff, but the Cardinal blew a golden opportunity to go up by three possessions when Stanford couldn’t get the hold down on a 36-yard field goal attempt.
That opportunity was the Cardinal’s last scoring threat. Starting at the 25 with 2:40 remaining after Cal’s go-ahead score, Daniels was sacked on the first play and then threw three incomplete passes. Daniels finished 5-for-17 for 52 yards after the first quarter.
The Cardinal finishes its season Friday at San Jose State.