"The first 10,000 fans will receive their own replica version of The Axe on the 125th meeting in the historic rivalry and the 40th anniversary of The Play, a five-lateral Cal kickoff return that marched through the Stanford Band on the final play of the 1982 Big Game for a winning touchdown that is one of one of the most famous plays in sports history. "
I hope the replica Axe will be the right colors. Although I guess you can paint it.
It should be. I think they showed the replica axe on the video board at the Oregon game and it looked aesthetically accurate. My seat mates and I had a big chuckle over the idea of 10,000 angry Cal fans with axes.
Back in the Sixties when both teams sucked (sound familiar?) the Big Game always sold out just the same and well in advance. Those were different times, of course. Traditions don't mean as much now and there are more diversions.
My first Big Game was Joe Kapp's last game as a head coach in 1986 when Cal was as crappy as they come with a 1-9 record. I believe Cal's only win going into that game was against WSU. The Cougar head coach famously said "we got run over by a Moped" in the post game presser. Still, you could not have squeezed an extra turnip into that stadium that day. Total full house.
My parents had the official Cal video tape of that game which I used to watch back in the day. Kapp had been fired but the Bears won because of an end around by Mike Ford scoring a TD. A tearful Kapp was carried off the field on the shoulders of the players after the game.
I was there as a newbie and not yet a fan, so didn't have the appreciation that Cal alums must have felt to see Kapp go out on a winning note like that. That locker room scene was something special. And that sea of humanity in the stands watching the players carry him out on their shoulders. That was just cool and brightened my day.
I remember having to follow that game on the radio down here in SoCal. Kapp, desperate to save his job, burned Troy Taylor's redshirt, only to have Taylor get knocked out for the season as Big Game week approached. With no other choice, Kapp had to start Kevin Brown. Almost on cue, Brown, who could never quite lock down a starting job during his time at Cal, on that day, stepped up and became Steve Levy before there was a Steve Levy, leading the Bear offense, and throwing his only TD pass of the year along the way.
I think handicapping how many people will be in the stands will be more fun than trying to figure out the game itself. I think both teams' fan bases are tuned out and don't look at the Big Game as a pilgrimage the way they did 30 years ago. My guess is 45,000 actual butts in the seats, and less if it is really cold or raining.
anything can happen. We've had the big game postponed due to a fire once before. we had the SC game last season postponed to the end of the season as well.
wtf axe is that? Come on Cal marketing dept. jeez.
It’s the world-famous Stanford hatchet. And it’s about to kill Earby.
The black and grey one looks more like a Stanley hatchet.
https://calbears.com/news/2022/8/26/football-promotions-giveaways-highlight-2022-home-schedule.aspx
"The first 10,000 fans will receive their own replica version of The Axe on the 125th meeting in the historic rivalry and the 40th anniversary of The Play, a five-lateral Cal kickoff return that marched through the Stanford Band on the final play of the 1982 Big Game for a winning touchdown that is one of one of the most famous plays in sports history. "
I hope the replica Axe will be the right colors. Although I guess you can paint it.
It should be. I think they showed the replica axe on the video board at the Oregon game and it looked aesthetically accurate. My seat mates and I had a big chuckle over the idea of 10,000 angry Cal fans with axes.
Bill Musgrave should be in fear for his life, let alone his job, if those 10,000 fans are unleashed upon him if we lose.
please lord let us have at least this one
The 40th Anniversary of the 1982 Big Game is the day after the 2022 Big Game. The Play happened on November 20, 1982.
Back in the Sixties when both teams sucked (sound familiar?) the Big Game always sold out just the same and well in advance. Those were different times, of course. Traditions don't mean as much now and there are more diversions.
My first Big Game was Joe Kapp's last game as a head coach in 1986 when Cal was as crappy as they come with a 1-9 record. I believe Cal's only win going into that game was against WSU. The Cougar head coach famously said "we got run over by a Moped" in the post game presser. Still, you could not have squeezed an extra turnip into that stadium that day. Total full house.
My parents had the official Cal video tape of that game which I used to watch back in the day. Kapp had been fired but the Bears won because of an end around by Mike Ford scoring a TD. A tearful Kapp was carried off the field on the shoulders of the players after the game.
https://calbearshistory.com/2021/11/18/1986-the-biggest-big-game-upset-of-them-all/
I was there as a newbie and not yet a fan, so didn't have the appreciation that Cal alums must have felt to see Kapp go out on a winning note like that. That locker room scene was something special. And that sea of humanity in the stands watching the players carry him out on their shoulders. That was just cool and brightened my day.
I remember having to follow that game on the radio down here in SoCal. Kapp, desperate to save his job, burned Troy Taylor's redshirt, only to have Taylor get knocked out for the season as Big Game week approached. With no other choice, Kapp had to start Kevin Brown. Almost on cue, Brown, who could never quite lock down a starting job during his time at Cal, on that day, stepped up and became Steve Levy before there was a Steve Levy, leading the Bear offense, and throwing his only TD pass of the year along the way.
I think handicapping how many people will be in the stands will be more fun than trying to figure out the game itself. I think both teams' fan bases are tuned out and don't look at the Big Game as a pilgrimage the way they did 30 years ago. My guess is 45,000 actual butts in the seats, and less if it is really cold or raining.
why do you say 'currently'. Is the time still subject to change?
anything can happen. We've had the big game postponed due to a fire once before. we had the SC game last season postponed to the end of the season as well.
yes those were cataclysmic events not the whims of a tv network, which was the focus of my question so I may plan tailgating.