The Stanford Cardinal are set to face their rival, the California Golden Bears, in the 128th edition of the Big Game this Saturday at Stanford Stadium. This matchup holds significant importance for the Cardinal, who have yet to defeat Cal during the tenures of their current roster. With a record of 3-7 and 2-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Stanford has lost four consecutive Big Games, including three straight at home, marking the first time this has occurred since the early 1950s.
For the senior players and veterans, this game represents a critical chance to reclaim the Axe, the trophy awarded to the winner of this fierce rivalry. “We haven”t been able to get it done since I”ve been here,” said redshirt junior cornerback Collin Wright. “Everybody understands what this game means to us, and what better year to do it than now, at home, with a lot of our fans here?” Wright emphasized the importance of focusing on the present, reminding his teammates that past outcomes are irrelevant once the game begins. “It”s about what we do in between the white lines,” he added.
Senior tight end Sam Roush shares the urgency of this matchup in his final Big Game. “This is my last crack at it,” he stated. “The last three years, two of them were our game and we let them go. That sticks with me.” Last year, Stanford had an 11-point lead entering the fourth quarter but ultimately lost, giving up a critical touchdown in the final minutes. Roush pointed out that the bye week following three consecutive losses has allowed the team to regroup and refocus. “We”re excited to show that on Saturday,” he said.
Roush acknowledges the heightened emotions that come with rivalry games, noting the increased energy on the sidelines and the passionate fan presence. “It”s an intense environment, and it means a lot not just to us, but to students and people in the area,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, interim coach Frank Reich has been immersing himself in the history of this long-standing rivalry. He received insights from Marv Levy, his former NFL coach who had a brief coaching stint at Cal. “He sent me a voicemail and an email just talking about the tradition,” Reich recalled. “To get a note from him talking about the Big Game was pretty special.” While Reich is aware of Stanford”s struggles in this series, he emphasizes that motivation must translate into effective preparation. “You can”t just turn that emotion on on Saturday and expect to get what you want,” he said.
On the Stanford roster, linebacker Hunter Barth stands out as the only player with a winning record in the Big Game, having played in the last four contests while at Cal. Reich plans to consult Barth about Cal”s players but stresses the importance of maintaining focus. “Every player has to deal with it in their own way,” he advised. “Just stay focused on doing your job. Get the emotion out of the way and focus on playing football.”
