The California Golden Bears (3-6, 2-4 Pac-12) and the Stanford Cardinal (3-7, 2-6 Pac-12) began the 124th Big Game with some jitters.

Both sides took turns trading turnovers in the first quarter.

Stanford sophomore quarterback Tanner McKee threw an interception in the second play of the game. The pick by California cornerback Lu-Magia Hearns III was a career-first for the first-year Golden Bear.

But the Golden Bears were unable to gain any momentum. California's running back Damien Moore fumbled the ball only one play later.

Both teams had good chances to score in the first quarter but were unable to convert.

The Cardinal offense was stopped by California's defense on the 1-yard line, forcing a turnover on downs, and California quarterback Chase Garbers overthrew his wide receiver, setting up an easy interception in the end zone and 20-yard return for Cardinal safety Jonathan McGill.

Fortunately for college football fans, the stalemate between the two sides ended three minutes into the second quarter.

Garbers threw an 84-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Trevon Clark. The 84-yard pass, which set up a Cal 7-0 lead, is the longest pass completed by either side in Big Game history.

Indeed, Garbers played a balanced first half. The redshirt senior went 12-for-19 for 200 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The quarterback also led the team in rushing yards with 58, including a long of 25 yards.

Stanford closed out the first half with a 32-yard field goal to avoid a complete shut-out.