Big Game

:Alternative meanings: Mega Millions, big game.

Related Topics:
Mega Millions - Big game

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The "Big Game" is the annual football game between Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley (known simply as "California" or "Cal"), held in November. The first Big Game was held in 1892 on San Francisco's Haight Street grounds when Stanford upset Cal 14-10. It is the tenth longest rivalry in NCAA Division 1A football. Through 2004, Stanford leads the series record at 54-42-11 (wins-losses-ties). California has won the past three games (2002-2004), but Stanford won the previous seven meetings. The location of the game alternates between the two schools each year. The Big Game can also refer to the annual college football matchup between the Arizona State University and the University of Arizona (for the article on the Arizona rivalry, see Territorial Cup).

Related Topics:
Football - Stanford University - University of California, Berkeley - NCAA Division 1A - Arizona State University - University of Arizona - Territorial Cup

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It is the biggest college football event in the Bay Area, and has a rich history. Since 1933, the victor of the game has been granted possession of the Stanford Axe. If the game was tied, the Axe stayed on the side that already possessed it; however, college football games can no longer end in ties. The Axe is a key part of the rich history, having been stolen on several occasions by both sides.

Related Topics:
Bay Area - The Stanford Axe

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The conclusion of the 85th Big Game on November 20, 1982 is known simply as The Play. Many consider it one of the greatest plays in the history of college football, if not the greatest. With 4 seconds left on the clock, Cal lateraled the ball five times on a kickoff return and ran through the Stanford Band, which had run onto the field to celebrate prematurely. The Play is often recounted with KGO radio announcer Joe Starkey's dramatic call of The Play, which he hailed as "the most amazing, sensational, traumatic, heartrending, exciting, thrilling finish in the history of college football!" The legitimacy of The Play has remained controversial. To this day, the final score is noted as Stanford 20, Cal 19 in many Stanford publications, whereas the official score went down as 25-20, with Cal winning.

Related Topics:
November 20 - 1982 - The Play - Stanford Band - KGO - Joe Starkey

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