Postgame Thread: We've Still Got the Axe! Stanford Defeats Cal, 31-28

by Scott Allen on Nov 19, 2025 11:02 PM PST

The 114th Big Game was a little too close for comfort, but after everything else that happened on this wild and crazy college football weekend, Stanford should be elated with its 31-28 win over Cal.

Andrew Luck, who struggled in the first half, finished 20-for-30 for 257 yards and two touchdowns on a night that the Stanford rushing attack failed to find a rhythm. The Cal defense was stout, but a 7-minute drive in the fourth quarter, highlighted by a handful of clutch plays by fullback Ryan Hewitt, set up the Jordan Williamson 35-yard field goal that would prove to be the difference in the game. Memo to Jeff Tedford: We're not quite sure what you were thinking on that last touchdown drive, but thank you.

We'll have much more on the win and start sorting out the BCS chaos tomorrow, but for now, revel in another Big Game victory in the comments. Go Stanford! We've got the Axe!

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Comments

Maynard

I dogged him this week, but he played really well. He missed Keenan Allen on what should’ve been a TD on the Bears’ last drive, but was very impressive overall.

Tedford’s clock management on the final drive ultimately didn’t matter because Fleener recovered the onside kick, but I somehow felt a lot better knowing that the Bears would only have time for 1 or 2 plays before attempting a field goal or a hail mary if they had recovered. Of course, 14 seconds was still an eternity (see: 1990 Big Game).

by Scott Allen on Nov 19, 2025 11:20 PM PST reply actions

We've got the axe!!

This is really the main thing I wanted after the Oregon game. With these injuries and luck having uneven play … And/or just not enough conscious receivers … All the bcs stuff seems to be a little out of our league. Well, okay by January som e healing can happen. but note dame has much to grab onto next week.

by estephan500 on Nov 19, 2025 11:25 PM PST reply actions

Beat the Irish and Stanford is probably BCS bowl bound

The Civil War will be decided by the time Stanford and Notre Dame kick off. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

We’ve got the Axe!

by Scott Allen on Nov 19, 2025 11:32 PM PST up reply actions

Stanford should be #6 tomorrow

With some chances of being #5 if Stanford passes VTech.

Then, if Stanford beats Notre Dame, only 2 of the following need to happen to get an automatic BCS berth
a) Clemson beats VTech in ACC game
b) Oklahoma beats Okie St
c) LSU beats Arkansas

All very likely. That would be sweet.
But there are two scenarios that are even better.

Oregon State beats Oregon → Stanford plays Pac-12 game against Utah.
Hello Rose bowl!

Auburn beats Alabam, and all a), b) and c) happen → Hello National Championship!!!

One can dream :o)

by Euler on Nov 19, 2025 11:39 PM PST reply actions

It would be REALLY close even if no a)

We were behind VT by 8 thousands of a point last week. If both win out it will come down to style points and opponents’ results for the computers, etc. Hate to say it, but Cal’s garbage time touchdown really hurt us in this regard, as a 10 point win would have looked a lot nicer to all those who didn’t stay up to watch a game that ended at 1:30 ET.

The crazy thing is we may only need 4 things (depending on VaTech) to happen for Stanford to see the NC game:
Stanford beats ND (Stanford will be a favorite)
LSU beats Arkansas (LSU will be a favorite)
OK beats OK St (OK St probably a slight fav due to home field?)
Auburn beats Alabama (Bama will be a heavy favorite)

If you had said directly after the Oregon loss that Stanford had even an outside shot at the NC game, you would have been laughed out of the room. Wow.

by balloot on Nov 20, 2025 1:10 AM PST up reply actions

Meh, BCS NC berth without even going to the Pac-12 CCG?

unlikely, no?

by belikedurkheim on Nov 20, 2025 1:50 AM PST up reply actions

Maybe not...

… there’s a lot of people saying LSU will go even if they lose to Arkansas. Plus, a lot of people are willing to slate Alabama in the game even though they won’t win the SEC. The conference championship part of it seems less relevant when dealing with a bunch of teams with one loss.

by RickeySteals on Nov 20, 2025 10:47 AM PST up reply actions

Doesn't matter

It’s about #1 vs #2. And my claim is that if the above scenario happens, Stanford will very likely be #2.

by balloot on Nov 20, 2025 10:51 AM PST up reply actions

Pretty underwhelming game by Stanford, but glad they got the win. Hope they play better next week.

long live the jd.

by jksnake99 on Nov 20, 2025 11:05 AM PST reply actions

A bit underwhelming yes...

… but I wasn’t surprised that it was close. The elements were definitely a factor.

It took Luck a half to adjust for the fact that his receivers were moving slower through the wet grass. Maybe that’s why Maynard was so effective early? He “underthrew” a bunch of passes, but they worked out anyway because his teammates weren’t moving as fast as they usually do? Or, he was just on yesterday.

I don’t know how obvious it was on the TV feed, but there was a lot of rain. It was also pretty damned cold. Not the best elements for an effective passing game. For some reason, Luck’s sense of when to go play action was also a bit off - there were times when Cal had all 11 defenders in the box, and he still let the run go. Of course, the one time he did audible correctly, Toilolo dropped a perfect pass, so maybe that was on purpose…

I have no answers for the defense though - I thought they were unfairly penalized a bit, and they were also the victims of the usual Pac-12 ref’s inability to see blatant holds committed against Stanford players, but they blew at least two or three chances at picks and generally weren’t nearly as effective at getting pressure on the QB as they should’ve been.

by RickeySteals on Nov 20, 2025 11:49 AM PST up reply actions

They have to fix the field.
Watching USC-Oregon was so much more fun.
In part, because you knew they could do sharp cuts, and run fast routes with turns!

I think the field is impacting Stanford both in style points, and Luck’s Heisman chances (unless Luck has an amazing game against ND, I’d give it to RG3, who has been truly outstanding the whole season).

by Euler on Nov 20, 2025 11:37 AM PST reply actions