Big Game 2015: McCaffrey, Cardinal Tame The Cal Bears: 35-22

What the Bears must do to end their Big Game losing streak.

All Stanford had to do to keep the Axe out of California’s grasp was put the ball in Christian McCaffrey’s hands. On Stanford’s opening possession of the second half, they were forced into a three-and-out, with McCaffrey being stopped short on a 3rd-and-2. Cal has a similar collection of athletes as OR, as well as a far better passer, Jared Goff.

Cal drove right back down the field. The Cardinal has won five in a row, including 38-17 last season. So Cal +7.5 on a neutral & 10.5 in Palo Alto.

After failing to score after three downs on the goal line, the Buffaloes spiked the ball on what should have been fourth down, which would have ended the game with a Tiger win. The Cardinal allow 22 points (31st in FBS) and 348 yards (27th) per game, performing a bit better against the pass than the run. The quarterback went just 7-for-12 for 96 yards and 1 touchdown. “It’s been a long time coming for me”. Bears wide receiver Bryce Treggs had seven catches for 102 yards and a score. “It’s disappointing for us and disappointing for him because he’s such a good player”.

For the game, he had 389 all-purpose yards.

McCaffrey scored two long touchdowns in the first half, including a 98-yard kickoff return, to give the Cardinal a 21-6 lead.

And Goff will seize the opportunity through the air.

For the 151st time, it’s Lafayette-Lehigh, with the visiting Leopards (1-9, 0-5 Patriot League) looking for a third straight win over the Engineers (5-5, 3-2). Stanford’s antidote for field goals wore No. 5. On the kick return, McCaffrey hit the hole with authority, ending a 98-yard scamper with a trip into the endzone.

“I wasn’t expecting it”, said McCaffrey. “The two aren’t inseparable – “[Cameron] needs to go through part of this college experience on his own” – but they do spend time together, and that has helped Brennan acclimate to his new program. Oh, how we laughed when they could only muster six points against the Wildcats!

If I had a vote, he would get it. Not that he cares. “The guys did such a great job blocking”.

Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey isn’t the type. “I’ve only seen it in pictures or on TV. I don’t condone it”, Shaw said. “I haven’t seen anybody in America like this kid”. He’s truly, truly special. Kickoff returner, runner, receiver, blocker, he got a couple of nice blocks today.

As time expired, McMahon launched a pass into the endzone as time expired, where tight end Clay Brown leapt over four SMU defenders to secure the miraculous game-winning touchdown. And he’ll be supplanted by a redshirt freshman, Alameen Murphy.

Vic Enwere had five carries for 19 yards, but also completed a pass to Goff for 12 yards. Enwere took the handoff and ran right.

STORYLINES: The combination of a Stanford victory or an or loss would clinch the North division title for the Cardinal….

“Penalties just killed us”, Dykes said. “We’ll be satisfied when we win every game”. We were trying to play aggressive. “We like to get the juices going”.

Cal has a 6-4 record for the 2015 season.

Cal’s bowl picture is slightly clearer. Will a Big 12 team make it? He’ll also need to have a short memory after a rough outing in the loss to OR last week.

Cal’s offense found its touch last week in a win over Oregon State, which clinched bowl eligibility for the Golden Bears.

That would leave the Hyundai Sun, Royal Purple Las Vegas, and Cactus Bowl.

But they probably weren’t, and that’s a big problem.

This year’s version is a rarity since both teams are having successful seasons. That capped a drive that took 5 minutes and 31 seconds and put the Cardinal ahead 28-16 with 14:23 left to play.

So next week’s game against Arizona State means a lot. It might be just two more games. Why not let the two years play out? Where Cal barely beat lesser teams previous year, this season they’ve beaten a few of them convincingly. “I realized the mental side and the academic and your earnings is what really sticks with you”.

“It hurts”, said Watson. Big Game was close. In a tight game late in the second quarter, McCaffrey made it happen. Should McCaffrey repeat his show-stopping performance vs. one of the best teams in the U.S.in Notre Dame at home on Saturday, he may attract quite a voting block.

“It’s a minor consolation”, said safety Stefan McClure. “None of us plays to be competitive”.