In 1990, just two years after "the most dramatic finish," Stanford was the victor in what many have called the most exciting Big Game in history. Down 25-18, with 17 seconds left in the game, quarterback Jason Palumbis hit Ed McCaffrey with a TD pass. Going for the 2 point conversion, Palumbis was intercepted and the Cal fans rushed the field. From the public address anouncer came those prophetic words, "Please clear the field; the game is not over." Cal was penalized 15 yards on the kick-off due to the premature celebration on the field-just the same way Stanford was back in 1982. Stanford regained possession with a successful on-side kick with 9 seconds to go. Palumbis threw an incomplete pass, but an over-zealous Cal defensive back was called for roughing the passer and Cal was hit with another 15 yard penalty. With 5 seconds remaining, John Hopkins booted a 39 yard field goal, winning the game and setting the record for the most field goals in Big Game history, 5, and he became Stanford's all-time scoring leader.

Text courtesy Stanford Axe Committee