Cal, Stanford set for 128th edition of the Big Game rivalry
FLM
Nov 20, 2025
Highly decorated coach Frank Reich would love nothing more than to add to his impressive resume when he leads Stanford Cardinal up against visiting Cal in the annual Big Game rivalry Saturday.
A two-time former NFL head coach who won a Super Bowl ring as offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018, Reich agreed to coach Stanford this season on a one-year interim basis after Troy Taylor's April firing.
He'll make his Big Game debut Saturday in his second-to-last game at the Stanford helm, seeking to add his name to a list of rivalry-winning Cardinal coaches that includes Pop Warner, Bill Walsh and Jim Harbaugh.
Despite Stanford (3-7, 2-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) already being assured of a losing record, Reich admits he's learned that beating Cal can be how any Cardinal season is remembered.
"I've really enjoyed being part of this community and realizing how big this is," he assured reporters this week. "I'm excited to be a part of it."
Cal (6-4, 3-3) won last year's 127th rendition of the Big Game 24-21 at home thanks to two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Fernando Mendoza to Jonathan Brady.
Mendoza has since transferred to Indiana, where he is a Heisman Trophy candidate this season, handing the ball off at Cal to freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who has thrown for 2,518 yards and 13 touchdowns this season.
Two of those TD's and 323 of those yards came in Cal's most recent outing, a 29-26 overtime win at 14th-ranked Louisville.
While Stanford acknowledges Reich's agreement with the school is a one-and-done, Cal fans are hoping the same isn't true for their freshman standout.
Pressed on the issue this week, the Hawaii native wasn't promising anything.
"I'm just ready to take in the (Big Game) experience," he said of his future this week. "My main focus is winning this game on Saturday. But I'm pretty sure (I'll be back), yeah."
Stanford is expected to counter with a freshman of their own. Elijah Brown replaced Ben Gulbranson for the second half of the Cardinal's 35-20 home loss to Pittsburgh on Nov. 1, then threw for 284 yards and a score as the starter in a 20-15 loss at North Carolina in Stanford's most recent game.
Both teams had a bye last week.
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(0:21 - 2nd) K.Raphael rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by STAN at CAL 29.
+2 YD
1 & 10 - CAL 25
(0:58 - 2nd) K.Raphael rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by STAN at CAL 27.
Kickoff
(0:58 - 2nd) E.Kenney kicks 50 yards from STAN 50 to the CAL End Zone. Touchback.
CAL
Golden Bears
- Fumble (2 plays, 6 yards, 0:13 poss)
Result
Play
Penalty
(0:58 - 2nd) PENALTY on CAL-CAL Defensive Illegal Blindside Block 15 yards accepted. No Play.
PAT Good
(0:58 - 2nd) E.Kenney extra point is good.
+11 YD
2 & 15 - CAL 6
(1:05 - 2nd) K.Raphael rushed for 11 yards. K.Raphael FUMBLES forced by J.Galvan. Fumble RECOVERED by STAN-D.Davis at CAL 17. TOUCHDOWN.
Penalty
2 & 10 - CAL 11
(1:06 - 2nd) PENALTY on CAL-T.Ruffins False Start 5 yards accepted. No Play.
No Gain
1 & 10 - CAL 11
(1:11 - 2nd) J.Sagapolutele steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for K.Raphael.
STAN
Cardinal
- Blocked FG (11 plays, 70 yards, 3:27 poss)
Result
Play
4 & 5 - STNFRD 12
(1:17 - 2nd) E.Kenney 22 yard field goal attempt is blocked Center-P.Warford Holder-A.Flintoft. D.Polidore blocked the kick. C.Uluave recovered the blocked kick.
No Gain
3 & Goal - CAL 5
(1:23 - 2nd) E.Brown steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for S.Roush.
No Gain
2 & Goal - CAL 5
(1:28 - 2nd) E.Brown steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for C.Williams.
+2 YD
1 & Goal - CAL 7
(1:34 - 2nd) C.Tabb rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by CAL at CAL 5.
Penalty
2 & 9 - CAL 22
(1:39 - 2nd) E.Brown steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for C.Williams. PENALTY on CAL-B.Austin Defensive Pass Interference 15 yards accepted. No Play.
+1 YD
1 & 10 - CAL 23
(1:45 - 2nd) M.Ford rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by CAL at CAL 22.
+5 YD
3 & 4 - CAL 28
(2:00 - 2nd) M.Ford rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by CAL at CAL 23.
+3 YD
2 & 7 - CAL 31
(2:24 - 2nd) M.Ford rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by CAL at CAL 28.
+3 YD
1 & 10 - CAL 34
(2:58 - 2nd) M.Ford rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by CAL at CAL 31.
+9 YD
2 & 4 - CAL 43
(3:35 - 2nd) M.Ford rushed for 9 yards. Tackled by CAL at CAL 34.
+6 YD
1 & 10 - CAL 49
(4:14 - 2nd) M.Ford rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by CAL at CAL 43.
+26 YD
1 & 10 - STNFRD 25
(4:38 - 2nd) E.Brown pass complete. Catch made by B.Blackburn for 26 yards. Tackled by CAL at CAL 49. PENALTY on CAL-T.Bush Defensive Offside 5 yards declined.
Kickoff
(4:38 - 2nd) A.Murray kicks 65 yards from CAL 35 to the STAN End Zone. Touchback.
CAL
Golden Bears
- Touchdown (15 plays, 75 yards, 8:19 poss)
Result
Play
PAT Good
(4:38 - 2nd) C.Meyer extra point is good.
+7 YD
2 & Goal - STNFRD 7
(4:45 - 2nd) J.Sagapolutele rushed for 7 yards. TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane and the play was upheld.
+3 YD
1 & 10 - STNFRD 10
(5:24 - 2nd) J.Sagapolutele rushed for 3 yards. Tackled by STAN at STAN 7.
Penalty
1 & Goal - STNFRD 5
(5:41 - 2nd) PENALTY on CAL-CAL Illegal Substitution 5 yards accepted. No Play.
+12 YD
1 & 10 - STNFRD 17
(5:57 - 2nd) J.Sagapolutele pass complete. Catch made by T.Grizzell for 12 yards. Tackled by STAN at STAN 5.
Penalty
1 & Goal - STNFRD 2
(6:03 - 2nd) PENALTY on CAL-J.Spasojevic-Moko Unnecessary Roughness / Offense 15 yards accepted. No Play.
+24 YD
2 & 11 - STNFRD 26
(6:14 - 2nd) J.Sagapolutele pass complete. Catch made by J.Dixon-Veal for 24 yards. Tackled by STAN at STAN 2.
-1 YD
1 & 10 - STNFRD 25
(6:53 - 2nd) J.Sagapolutele pass complete. Catch made by J.De Jesus for -1 yards. Tackled by STAN at STAN 26.
+16 YD
4 & 1 - STNFRD 41
(7:24 - 2nd) J.Sagapolutele pass complete. Catch made by J.De Jesus for 16 yards. Pushed out of bounds by STAN at STAN 25.
+5 YD
3 & 6 - STNFRD 46
(7:59 - 2nd) J.Sagapolutele pass complete. Catch made by M.Mini for 5 yards. Tackled by STAN at STAN 41.
+3 YD
2 & 9 - STNFRD 49
(8:34 - 2nd) J.Sagapolutele pass complete. Catch made by T.Grizzell for 3 yards. Tackled by STAN at STAN 46.
+1 YD
1 & 10 - CAL 50
(9:06 - 2nd) K.Raphael rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by STAN at STAN 49.
+12 YD
3 & 11 - CAL 38
(9:41 - 2nd) J.Sagapolutele pass complete. Catch made by T.Grizzell for 12 yards. Tackled by STAN at CAL 50.
+4 YD
2 & 15 - CAL 34
(10:15 - 2nd) J.Sagapolutele pass complete. Catch made by C.Boscia for 4 yards. Tackled by STAN at CAL 38.
-5 YD
1 & 10 - CAL 39
(10:57 - 2nd) J.Sagapolutele pass complete. Catch made by K.Raphael for -5 yards. Tackled by STAN at CAL 34.
Punt
4 & 1 - CAL 34
(10:57 - 2nd) M.Kern punts 41 yards to STAN 25 Center-J.Franke. Fair catch by C.High. PENALTY on STAN-STAN Defensive Too Many Men on Field 5 yards accepted. No Play.
No Gain
3 & 1 - CAL 34
(11:40 - 2nd) K.Raphael rushed for 0 yards. Tackled by STAN at CAL 34.
+2 YD
2 & 3 - CAL 32
(12:23 - 2nd) K.Raphael rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by STAN at CAL 34.
+7 YD
1 & 10 - CAL 25
(12:57 - 2nd) K.Raphael rushed for 7 yards. Tackled by STAN at CAL 32.
Kickoff
(12:57 - 2nd) E.Kenney kicks 65 yards from STAN 35 to the CAL End Zone. Touchback.
CAL
Golden Bears
- Fumble (1 plays, -6 yards, 0:17 poss)
Result
Play
PAT Good
(12:57 - 2nd) E.Kenney extra point is good.
-6 YD
1 & 10 - STNFRD 45
(13:14 - 2nd) J.De Jesus rushed for -6 yards. J.De Jesus FUMBLES forced by O.Staples. Fumble RECOVERED by STAN-J.Green at CAL 49. TOUCHDOWN.
STAN
Cardinal
- Punt (6 plays, 19 yards, 2:50 poss)
Result
Play
Punt
4 & 4 - STNFRD 32
(13:23 - 2nd) A.Flintoft punts 13 yards to STAN 45 Center-P.Warford. Out of bounds.
No Gain
3 & 4 - STNFRD 32
(13:28 - 2nd) E.Brown steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for M.Brown.
No Gain
2 & 4 - STNFRD 32
(13:40 - 2nd) E.Brown steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for S.Roush.
+6 YD
1 & 10 - STNFRD 26
(14:19 - 2nd) B.Farrell rushed for 6 yards. Tackled by CAL at STAN 32.
+4 YD
3 & 1 - STNFRD 22
(15:00 - 2nd) M.Ford rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by CAL at STAN 26.
+4 YD
2 & 5 - STNFRD 18
(0:26 - 1st) E.Brown pass complete. Catch made by C.Williams for 4 yards. Tackled by CAL at STAN 22.
+5 YD
1 & 10 - STNFRD 13
(1:04 - 1st) M.Ford rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by CAL at STAN 18.
CAL
Golden Bears
- Punt (8 plays, 27 yards, 4:01 poss)
Result
Play
Punt
4 & 13 - CAL 37
(1:12 - 1st) M.Kern punts 50 yards to STAN 13 Center-J.Franke. Fair catch by L.Thorpe.
Penalty
4 & 8 - CAL 42
(1:12 - 1st) PENALTY on CAL-T.Dunn False Start 5 yards accepted. No Play.
No Gain
3 & 8 - CAL 42
(1:19 - 1st) J.Sagapolutele steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.De Jesus. The Replay Official reviewed the pass completion and the play was upheld.
No Gain
2 & 8 - CAL 42
(1:27 - 1st) J.Sagapolutele steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.De Jesus.
+2 YD
1 & 10 - CAL 40
(1:58 - 1st) J.Sagapolutele pass complete. Catch made by K.Raphael for 2 yards. Tackled by STAN at CAL 42.
+4 YD
2 & 4 - CAL 36
(2:30 - 1st) K.Raphael rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by STAN at CAL 40.
+6 YD
1 & 10 - CAL 30
(3:11 - 1st) J.Sagapolutele scrambles for 6 yards. Tackled by STAN at CAL 36.
+13 YD
3 & 3 - CAL 17
(3:43 - 1st) J.Sagapolutele pass complete. Catch made by J.De Jesus for 13 yards. Pushed out of bounds by STAN at CAL 30.
+5 YD
2 & 8 - CAL 12
(4:29 - 1st) K.Raphael rushed for 5 yards. Tackled by STAN at CAL 17.
+2 YD
1 & 10 - CAL 10
(5:05 - 1st) K.Raphael rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by STAN at CAL 12.
STAN
Cardinal
- Punt (3 plays, -4 yards, 1:05 poss)
Result
Play
Punt
4 & 14 - STNFRD 21
(5:05 - 1st) A.Flintoft punts 59 yards to CAL 20 Center-P.Warford. J.De Jesus returned punt from the CAL 20. Tackled by STAN at CAL 27. PENALTY on CAL-T.Dunn Offensive Holding 10 yards declined. PENALTY on CAL-Z.Smith Personal Foul / Offense 10 yards accepted.
No Gain
3 & 14 - STNFRD 21
(5:27 - 1st) E.Brown steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for C.Williams.
Penalty
3 & 9 - STNFRD 26
(5:27 - 1st) PENALTY on STAN-N.Prongos False Start 5 yards accepted. No Play.
No Gain
2 & 9 - STNFRD 26
(5:34 - 1st) E.Brown steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for C.Williams.
+1 YD
1 & 10 - STNFRD 25
(6:10 - 1st) C.Tabb rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by CAL at STAN 26.
Kickoff
(6:10 - 1st) A.Murray kicks 65 yards from CAL 35 to the STAN End Zone. Touchback.
CAL
Golden Bears
- Field Goal (11 plays, 56 yards, 5:46 poss)
Result
Play
Field Goal
4 & 8 - STNFRD 30
(6:17 - 1st) A.Murray 40 yard field goal attempt is good Center-J.Franke Holder-M.Kern.
Sack
3 & 5 - STNFRD 19
(7:04 - 1st) J.Sagapolutele steps back to pass. Sacked at STAN 22 for -3 yards (E.Dubre).
+4 YD
2 & 9 - STNFRD 23
(7:47 - 1st) J.Sagapolutele pass complete. Catch made by J.De Jesus for 4 yards. Tackled by STAN at STAN 19.
+2 YD
1 & 10 - STNFRD 25
(8:22 - 1st) K.Raphael rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by STAN at STAN 23.
+16 YD
3 & 2 - STNFRD 41
(9:07 - 1st) M.Mini pass complete. Catch made by J.King for 16 yards. Tackled by STAN at STAN 25.
+1 YD
2 & 3 - STNFRD 42
(9:40 - 1st) K.Raphael rushed for 1 yards. Tackled by STAN at STAN 41.
+7 YD
1 & 10 - STNFRD 49
(10:14 - 1st) J.Sagapolutele pass complete. Catch made by J.De Jesus for 7 yards. Tackled by STAN at STAN 42.
+10 YD
3 & 6 - CAL 41
(10:47 - 1st) J.Sagapolutele pass complete. Catch made by J.De Jesus for 10 yards. Pushed out of bounds by STAN at STAN 49.
No Gain
2 & 6 - CAL 41
(10:55 - 1st) J.Sagapolutele steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.Dixon-Veal.
+4 YD
1 & 10 - CAL 37
(11:24 - 1st) J.Sagapolutele pass complete. Catch made by J.De Jesus for 4 yards. Tackled by STAN at CAL 41.
+15 YD
1 & 10 - CAL 22
(11:56 - 1st) J.Sagapolutele pass complete. Catch made by Q.Adams for 15 yards. Tackled by STAN at CAL 37.
STAN
Cardinal
- Punt (3 plays, -9 yards, 1:11 poss)
Result
Play
Punt
4 & 19 - STNFRD 39
(12:02 - 1st) A.Flintoft punts 39 yards to CAL 22 Center-P.Warford. Fair catch by J.De Jesus.
No Gain
3 & 12 - STNFRD 46
(12:35 - 1st) E.Brown steps back to pass. Sacked at STAN 39 for -7 yards (T.Bush; A.Keanaaina).
+3 YD
2 & 15 - STNFRD 43
(13:02 - 1st) E.Brown pass complete. Catch made by S.Roush for 3 yards. Tackled by CAL at STAN 46.
Penalty
2 & 10 - STNFRD 48
(13:02 - 1st) PENALTY on STAN-F.Anderson False Start 5 yards accepted. No Play.
No Gain
1 & 10 - STNFRD 48
(13:07 - 1st) E.Brown steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for S.Roush.
CAL
Golden Bears
- Punt (3 plays, 4 yards, 1:53 poss)
Result
Play
Punt
4 & 6 - CAL 12
(13:15 - 1st) M.Kern punts 40 yards to STAN 48 Center-J.Franke. Out of bounds.
No Gain
3 & 6 - CAL 12
(13:21 - 1st) J.Sagapolutele steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for J.King.
+7 YD
2 & 13 - CAL 5
(13:59 - 1st) J.Sagapolutele pass complete. Catch made by J.De Jesus for 7 yards. Tackled by STAN at CAL 12.
Penalty
2 & 8 - CAL 10
(14:13 - 1st) PENALTY on CAL-T.Ruffins False Start 5 yards accepted. No Play.
+2 YD
1 & 10 - CAL 8
(14:54 - 1st) K.Raphael rushed for 2 yards. Tackled by STAN at CAL 10.
Kickoff
(15:00 - 1st) E.Kenney kicks 65 yards from STAN 35 to the CAL End Zone. J.De Jesus returns the kickoff. Tackled by STAN at CAL 16. PENALTY on CAL-J.Dixon-Veal Offensive Holding 8 yards accepted.