If you were looking for a masterpiece of offensive football at Stanford Stadium on November 22, 2025, you probably left disappointed. But if you wanted high-stakes drama, absolute defensive chaos, and a rivalry trophy changing hands, the 128th Big Game delivered. The final California Stanford football score of 31–10 doesn't even begin to describe how weird this game actually felt while sitting in the stands.
Stanford won. They got the Axe back. After four years of watching the Golden Bears celebrate, the Cardinal finally snapped the streak. Honestly, it was a relief for the home crowd of 50,039. But here is the kicker: at halftime, Stanford was leading 14–10 despite having only 71 yards of total offense.
How does that happen? Mistakes. Massive, glaring, "hide-your-eyes" kind of mistakes from Cal.
The Turning Point No One Expected
The Golden Bears actually started okay. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele was moving the ball through the air, and a 40-yard field goal from Abram Murray gave Cal an early 3–0 lead. It felt like business as usual for a Cal team that had dominated this rivalry lately.
Then the fumbles started.
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Jay Green scooped up a loose ball and ran it back 49 yards for a touchdown. That was the first gut punch. Cal responded, with Sagapolutele diving in for a 7-yard touchdown to retake a 10–7 lead. It looked like they might steady the ship. Instead, they hit an iceberg. With less than a minute left in the half, Kendrick Raphael fumbled. Darrius Davis didn't hesitate—he scooped it and scored from 17 yards out.
Just like that, Stanford led by four without their offense ever touching the end zone.
By the Numbers: Why the Stats Lie
If you just looked at the box score, you’d think Cal moved the ball better. They did. They had more passing yards (285 to 123). They had nearly the same total yardage. But look at these specific, painful figures:
- Turnovers: Cal 3, Stanford 0.
- Defensive TDs: Stanford safety Jay Green (49 yards) and Darrius Davis (17 yards).
- Penalties: Cal committed 13 penalties for 128 yards. That's a season-high for a Justin Wilcox-coached team.
- Sacks: Stanford’s defense lived in the backfield with 5 sacks.
The Second Half Pull-Away
The third quarter was a bit of a slog. Stanford kicker Emmet Kenney missed two field goals before finally nailing a 36-yarder to make it 17–10. The air was thick with tension. Every Cal fan in the building knew one good drive could tie it up.
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It never came.
Stanford’s offense finally woke up when it mattered most. Micah Ford, who was basically the workhorse of the afternoon with 150 rushing yards on 29 carries, punched in a 4-yard touchdown right at the start of the fourth quarter. Then, Elijah Brown—playing in his first Big Game—iced it. He found CJ Williams for a 34-yard touchdown strike. Williams was the standout receiver for the Cardinal, finishing with 76 yards.
The score jumped from 17–10 to 31–10 in about seven minutes of game time. Game over.
Why This Score Matters for the Rivalry
This wasn't just another game. It was the first "Big Game" played under the ACC banner, which still feels a little bit strange to say out loud. For Stanford, it was a massive win for interim coach Frank Reich and general manager Andrew Luck. It showed progress after several dismal 3–9 seasons.
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For Cal, the 31–10 loss was devastating. It ended their four-game winning streak in the series and seemingly signaled the end of an era. Shortly after the game, reports surfaced that the university was moving on from Justin Wilcox. Losing the Axe is one thing; losing it because you committed 13 penalties and gave away two defensive touchdowns is another.
Takeaway for Fans and Analysts
If you are tracking the California Stanford football score for historical trends, remember that Stanford now leads the all-time series 66–51–11. The win was their first at home against Cal since 2017.
Next Steps for Your Scouting and Following:
- Watch the Youth: Stanford’s Elijah Brown and Micah Ford are the future of that offense. They showed poise when the pressure was on in the fourth quarter.
- Monitor the Cal Coaching Search: With the loss acting as a catalyst for change, the Berkeley program is in a total reset mode.
- Check the 2026 Calendar: The next meeting is set for November 21, 2026, back in Berkeley at Memorial Stadium.
The Axe is back on The Farm. For now, Stanford fans can breathe easy, while Cal is left wondering how a game they statistically competed in turned into such a lopsided scoreboard disaster.