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Four Memorable Stanford-Cal Big Game Finishes

STANFORD (CBS-SF) – While there have been some amazing finishes to major rivalry games – who can forget the last play of this year's Michigan-Michigan State game – one annual showdown seems to produce heart-stopping drama nearly every year.

When the University of California takes on cross-bay rival Stanford nothing is ever a sure thing. Over the years, certain victories have been snatched away by a twist of fate in the final moments.

Here's a look at four fantastic finishes or heart-breaking losses depending on the outcome for your respective team.

 

  • 1.) The Play -- Of course, this is the granddaddy of all improbable last-second victories and one of the most re-played college football moments on television over the last 25 years. It looked like Stanford great John Elway was just moments away from clinching what would be the only bowl game appearance of his illustrious collegiate career when the Cardinal took a 20-19 lead in the closing seconds of the 1988 Big Game. All Stanford needed to do was kick the ball off and tackle the ball carrier. What ensued was a five lateral play that ended with Cal's Kevin Moen colliding with a Stanford trombone player in the end zone after scoring the winning touchdown with no time left on the clock.

 

  • 2.) Out Of Luck – It appeared that future NFL stars Andrew Luck and Toby Gerhart were creating some last-minute drama for Cardinal in the 2009 Big Game. With Cal leading 34-28, the Cardinal began a last minute march to the end zone to clinch a share of the Pac-12 title and a possible Rose Bowl berth. But on the Cal 13-yard line, linebacker Mike Mohammed picked off a Luck pass, sealing the victory for Cal.

 

  • 3.) Payback – Stanford finally pulled out a miracle finish of its own in the 1990 Big Game. Quarterback Jason Palumbis tossed a TD pass to Ed McCaffery – whose son Christian is sure to play a major role in the 2015 game – to pull Stanford within 25-24 with 17 seconds left. The Cardinal went for two and the win, but were denied. All Cal had to do was field the onside kick to secure the win and the Axe. The improbable happened. Stanford recovered the kick. A roughing the passer call on the ensuing play moved the ball to the Cal 22 where John Hopkins kicked the game-winning field goal as time ran out.

 

  • 4.) It's Good – In the 1974 Big Game it appeared as if Golden Bear great and future NFL No. 1 pick Steve Bartkowski had pulled off a miraculous comeback when he hit Steve Rivera in the corner of the end zone with 26 seconds left to give Cal a 20-16 lead. But Stanford mounted quick drive and lined up for an improbable 50-yard field goal attempt by Mike Langford as the clock was winding toward its final seconds. The crowd of 71,866 watched in stunned silence as the ball split the uprights to give Stanford a 22-20 win.
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