November 24th 2024.
BERKELEY – The atmosphere at the 127th Big Game was charged with excitement and anticipation as Stanford took an early lead against their rival, California. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for the Cardinal to secure their first win in the Big Game in four years, under the guidance of second-year coach Troy Taylor. Not only that, but a victory would also mark their first winning streak under Taylor and prevent their opponent from reaching bowl eligibility. However, as the game progressed, the tables turned in a heart-wrenching turn of events.
Despite a dream start, Stanford ultimately fell short in a crushing 24-21 loss to Cal. The Cardinal, who had held a comfortable lead, ran out of steam in the final quarter, allowing their opponent to score 17 unanswered points. It was a tough pill to swallow, especially considering the missed opportunity to extend their lead to three scores in the third quarter when a field goal attempt went awry. From that point on, Stanford struggled to maintain their momentum, only managing one first down for the remainder of the game.
"It's painful because you're so close," said Taylor, a former starting quarterback at Cal. "Those losses hurt even more, but I have faith that our guys will bounce back."
The game started off strong for Stanford, with quarterback Ashton Daniels completing his first nine passes for 87 yards and Justin Lamsom scoring two short touchdowns. The Cardinal defense also put up an impressive performance, limiting Cal to just one first down in the first quarter. This gave them a comfortable 14-0 lead and silenced the sold-out home crowd at Memorial Stadium.
However, Cal made some adjustments in their defensive strategy, switching from a soft zone to tighter man coverage with a more aggressive front. This proved to be a challenge for Stanford, as Daniels struggled to find open receivers and only completed 5 of 17 passes for 52 yards in the final three quarters. Even his only completion in the fourth quarter came at a cost, as star receiver Elic Ayomanor had to be helped off the field after making the catch.
"We didn't do a good job of protecting or creating space in the run game," Taylor acknowledged.
Despite the efforts of the Stanford defense, which had held every FBS opponent they faced to at least 24 points, Cal was able to mount a comeback in the final quarter. Their quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, completed 9 of his last 10 passes, including two touchdown throws of 22 and 30 yards against a young and inexperienced Stanford secondary.
Taylor praised the mental toughness and focus of his young players, who were forced to step up in a high-pressure game against a formidable opponent. "It's like a trial by fire," he said. "They competed their butts off, and I'm proud of their effort and preparation."
In a bold move, Stanford pulled off a trick play in the third quarter, with freshman running back Micah Ford throwing a halfback option pass to receiver Emmett Mosley V for a touchdown. This gave the Cardinal a 21-7 lead, but their momentum was short-lived as Cal promptly fumbled the ensuing kickoff. Unfortunately, Stanford was unable to capitalize on this opportunity as they were unable to get the hold down on a field goal attempt.
Despite the disappointment of losing a hard-fought game and missing out on the chance to reclaim The Axe, Taylor remained positive in his postgame remarks. "We had a strong start and maintained a lead," he said. "Our guys worked hard, and I'm proud of them."
As is customary after a loss, Stanford did not make their players available for interviews. Now, they must regroup and focus on their final game of the season against San Jose State, with the goal of improving on their 3-9 record from Taylor's first year as head coach. It may not have been the outcome they had hoped for, but the Cardinal can take solace in knowing they gave it their all and will bounce back stronger in the future.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
