Mendoza triggered a four-play, 82-yard scoring drive with a 50-yard scramble to the Stanford 32 and a penalty against the Cardinal advanced the ball to the 22. His run was the longest by a Cal quarterback in at least 25 years, according to Cal athletics.

California hosts Stanford in the Big Game with the Golden Bears seeking their fourth straight win in the rivalry.

With a fourth straight Big Game loss, the Stanford football program is at a crossroads. With the exception of junior cornerback Collin Wright, the entire secondary was manned by freshman after senior safety Mitch Leigber left the game.