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