Revisiting the most improbable moment in college football history

Each year, the longstanding Stanford-Cal rivalry culminates with Big Game. This historic match is perhaps best known for a moment dating back to 1982. “The Play,” as it has come to be known, was a singular moment of sheer chaos, school spirit and unadulterated love for college football. As the 128th Big Game nears, it is only fitting to revisit this iconic play and its legacy. And perhaps more importantly, to revisit the age-old question: is The Daily the true star of the story?

The Play is easily one of the most notorious and highly debated moments in college football history. The game was hosted by Berkeley, Stanford’s lead was 20-19 and the Cardinal were looking to secure a bowl game bid with the help of star quarterback John Elway ‘83. The game had already been declared the most thrilling in the longstanding Stanford-Cal rivalry with four seconds left on the clock. 

Coming out of a highly frantic timeout, none of the officials noticed that Cal sent just 10 players onto the field, rather than 11. Though the misstep would not have resulted in any serious penalty, it ultimately changed the course of the game. Kevin Moen of the Golden Bears, noting that his team was down a man, positioned himself a few yards further than he normally would have. When Stanford went for the squib kick, which should in theory have prevented a significant return, the ball bounced directly into the waiting hands of Moen. Had he been in his intended position, Stanford would have held onto its lead. What followed instead was nothing short of thrilling.

Cal’s players juggled the ball in a chaotic yet masterful display, totalling five laterals (risky backwards passes) before ultimately landing once again in the hands of Moen. Moen charged toward the end zone, surrounded not just by Cardinal jerseys, but by the entire Stanford Band, Stanford cheerleaders and assorted spectators. Perhaps the most iconic image from The Play is when, upon scoring the highly contested touchdown, Moen — mid flex — knocked down an unsuspecting trombone player named Gary Tyrrell. 

The final call came down to referee Charles Moffett. 

“I asked the other officials if [Moen] had crossed the goal line,” Moffett said. “They said he had. I asked if anyone had blown a whistle during the return. No one had. I asked if every one of those laterals was clearly backward. They said they were. And the penalty flag? On Stanford for extra players and band on the field. ‘Well then,’ I said, ‘we have a touchdown.’”

Upon witnessing the chaos, one spectator is quoted in Sports Illustrated’s “The Anatomy of a Miracle” as saying, “It appeared to me that the weakest part of the Stanford defense was the woodwinds”. 

Another said, “[it was] an act of God.”

Joe Starkey, a commentator for the game, punctuated the moment with a singularly iconic quote: “The Bears have won. Oh my God, this is the most amazing, sensational, heartrending, exciting, thrilling finish in the history of college football … I guarantee you, if you watch college football for the rest of your life you’ll never see one like this.” 

And true to Starkey’s word, the college football stage never saw a scene quite like this one again. Not only was the game itself spectacular, but the aftermath that followed was equally as memorable. The Daily released a counterfeit version of The Daily Californian, the primary publication on Berkeley’s campus. The headline read, “NCAA AWARDS BIG GAME TO STANFORD,” and went on to cite a detailed, fine-print — and completely nonexistent — rule that effectively crowned Stanford as the winners of Big Game.  

The pandemonium that ensued was one of horror on Berkeley’s campus and one of sheer joy and pride, at having pulled off such a ruse, on Stanford’s campus (particularly at the Daily House). Though this rule was fabricated by The Daily’s editors, and Cal’s victory was never truly in question, the absurdity of this moment left its mark on the rivalry. It left Big Game even more highly anticipated in the years following.

This year is no exception, with the Cardinal hosting the Cal Golden Bears for the 128th annual Big Game on Saturday.

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