Cal's Big Game opponent looks like 2003-04 Bears

November 20, 10:53 AMCal Bears ExaminerRob Calonge

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When Jeff Tedford took over head coaching job for Cal back in 2002, he accepted a position at a school that had won only 16 games in the previous five years.  Now in his seventh year, it's very easy to forget just how bad the Bears were.

Prior to Tedford taking the job, Cal had to beat a lowly Rutgers team (2-9, 0-7 Big East) in order to prevent going winless for the first time since 1897.  The game was the season finale to a tumultuous year in America.  Originally, the game was scheduled for September 15, 2001.  In case there aren't any bells ringing for you, that's four days after 9/11.  There was scoffing about the rescheduling of a game that had no relevance in the rankings, standings, the college football world, or the students of either school probably.  The Bears came out on top, 20-10 in Piscataway, NJ.

Fast forward to two years ago.  Cal finished the season second in the Pac-10 (10-3, 7-2 Pac-10) and ranked near in the top 10, while Stanford (1-11, 1-8 Pac-10) finished one of the more embarrassing seasons they've had in years - maybe ever. During that season, they lost to San Jose State on the road and Navy at home.  They had a period stretching over four games and 12 quarters that they didn't score a touchdown, two of those games they scored a total of three points combined.  They were so bad, that they may have been the only football team at the Div I level not speculated to be capable of beating the Oakland Raiders that year, who were equally sterile in their attempts at scoring.

In the five years from 2002 to 2006, the Stanford Cardinal went 16-40, 10-31 Pac-10, numbers eerily similar to Cal's prior to Tedford showing up.  Cal had also been victorious in all five Big Games during that time.

In steps Jim Harbaugh.  The brash, former NFL quarterback, took over the shambles in Stanford and like Tedford, immediately breathed life into the moribund program.  In his first season, the Cardinal beat San Jose State at home, then later #2 USC and Arizona on the road.  The culmination of the Cardinal 4-8, 3-6 Pac-10, season was a victory in his first Big Game against Cal at home.  What made the victory sweeter for the Stanford faithful was that since 2003, Cal had never trailed in The Big Game.

This was a championship game to all of our players.  We made the right plays at the right time. It was a team effort. All three phases played some of their best football tonight. ... It's so special, just the great thrill of winning, the thrill of ultimate victory and getting that Axe back at Stanford.
- Harbaugh after Stanford took the axe back in 2007

This season, the Cardinal have already improved by a game at 5-6, 4-4 Pac-10.  There haven't been any big wins for the season, having lost to Notre Dame, USC, and Oregon.  Unless you count their opening week victory against a then struggling Oregon State team, they've lost to better opponents.  At the time they beat Oregon State, the Beavers weren't ranked nor thought to be as good as they've shown this season, but it does show that this Stanford team can play with any of the other nine teams in the Pac-10.

The Bears would be smart to remember that they are on a one-game losing streak against Stanford on Saturday and not take this opponent lightly.  Stanford needs a victory in order to become 'Bowl eligible'.  Should the Cardinal lose, the Pac-10 will lose one of their guaranteed bowl appearances this year to a lucky non-BCS school.

Last year, the Cardinal took advantage of an injured and confident-lacking Nate Longshore to secure the 20-13 win.  Longshore completed only 22 of 47 passes for 252 yards and one touchdown, while throwing two costly interceptions and a fumble.  The fumble, which occured at Cal's 28 from a sack, resulted in a touchdown pass for Stanford on the very next play.  Both interceptions were drive-stoppers for Cal, picked off by senior corner Nick Sanchez, on Stanford's side of the field.  The first one, was picked by Sanchez at Stanford's 37-yard line, while the second coming with 2:37 to play was at the Cardinal 19-yard line.

After Longshore's fumble resulting in Stanford's first touchdown, he took Cal on the following drive down the field for a touchdown.  The two teams traded field goals, with Stanford going up by three before the half.  Longshore again drove the Bears into field goal range, but Jordan Kaye missed from 38 yards out.

In the second half, helped by a short 26-yard punt by Cal's Andrew Larson, the Cardinal began another touchdown drive from the Bears' 41-yard line, which resulted in Stanford leading 20-10.  On Stanford's last drive of the third quarter, they drove 59 yards to the Cal 2, but couldn't get over the goal line.  Stanford place kicker, Derek Belch missed the chip shot and the Bears defense stiffened afterwards.

With 7:24 remaining, Longshore would again drive the Bears into scoring position, starting the drive from the Cal 15-yard line and ending at the Stanford 24.  Kaye would make the field goal, leaving Cal only a touchdown behind at 20-13.  On Cal's last drive of the game, which started at their own 36-yard line, Longshore would get the Bears to Stanford's 19-yard line.  On third and 10, Longshore's pass was intercepted with 1:55 remaining, effectively ending the game.

The Bears would like to get the axe back this season.  Having the game on their home field is a big advantage for the Bears, who have won all five of their games at home this season.  We'll have more on the Big Game tomorrow, but for now, I've found some video of the press conferences from both coaches.

Here's excerpts of the Bears press conference thanks to The Bear Insider:

1. Opening remarks to the press. Video.
2. Defense against the big running backs of Stanford: Video.
3. The pain of NOT having the axe in its proper place at Cal: Video.
4. Learning lessons from the loss to Oregon State: Video.

Here's the Stanford press conference from 11/18: