California Blows Out Stanford 41-11, Takes Home the Axe

The Golden Bears put up more than 600 yards of offense against the Cardinal

California defeated Stanford, 41-11, on Nov. 20, 2021, in the 124th Big Game. (Photo Courtesy: Cal Athletics)

The California Golden Bears (4-6, 3-4 Pac-12) are one step closer to a post-season bowl game after thrashing their archrival, the Stanford Cardinal (3-8, 2-7 Pac-12), 41-11.

“I expected us to come out and play well,” California head coach Justin Wilcox told reporters in the post-game press conference. “It was a lot of fun to watch them go out and compete. You could tell they just had a ‘won’t-be-denied’ attitude throughout the game.”

California’s offense rolled after a bout of nervousness that resulted in a scoreless first quarter and a tit-for-tat trade of four turnovers.

The Cardinal defense was outmatched and gave up a series of explosive plays to the Golden Bears. California averaged 10.1 yards per play, helped by two big run plays of 75 yards or more and one 84-yard pass by wide receiver Trevon Clark.

Clark’s 84-yard touchdown three minutes into the game was California’s first score. The 84-yard pass was the longest in Big Game history.

The Golden Bears racked up 636 total yards, including a record-high 352 yards on the ground. The last time California ended a game with more than 300 rushing yards was against the Oregon Ducks in Eugene, Ore., on Oct. 20, 2018, when the Golden Bears had 305.

California found success running the ball, employing seven running backs—two of whom scored.

Marcel Dancy scored two touchdowns and rushed for 92 yards on four attempts. The redshirt senior’s first touchdown was a game-high and career-high 76-yard rushing touchdown, which gave the Golden Bears a 27-3 lead in the third quarter.

Fourth-string running back Chris Street helped California ice the game in the fourth quarter. His five-yard rushing touchdown helped give the Golden Bears a decisive 30-point lead at 41-11. Street contributed 24 rushing yards on four touches of the ball.

California quarterback Chase Garbers has now won two games against Stanford. The redshirt senior play-caller finished the evening with 305 all-purpose yards: 246 passing yards and 59 from his legs. At the end of the first half, the Newport Beach, Calif., native led his team in rushing yards.

Rate The Game

Submit your ratings!