The Cardinal dropped its annual battle against the University of California Berkeley Golden Bears by a score of 82-15.  While the score was lopsided, Stanford can take substantial positives out of its match against the number one team in the country as the team was able to disrupt the Cal game plan and matched the Golden Bears for extended periods in both the first and second halves.

                Cal came roaring out of the gate scoring early and often as it dominated the first twenty minutes of the game scoring five unanswered tries to take a 27-0 lead.  In this early period of the game, the Cardinal was unable to match the precision of the defending national champions, but continued to fight and began to deliver some big hits against Cal.  As its defense picked up, Stanford gained momentum and jumped on the scoreboard when scrumhalf Brad Bachelder (2008) nailed a penalty kick from just right of the posts.  Bolstered by the confidence gained from this kick, the Cardinal held Cal scoreless for over fifteen minutes until Cal was able to get two quick tries before the half.

                The Golden Bears scored quickly to begin the second half, but Stanford answered quickly.  Bachelder took the ball weakside off a strong Stanford scrum and made a long break down the right sideline.  After the Cardinal recycled the ball, Trevor Grace (2010) was drove into the try zone supported by much of the Stanford pack to score an impressive and exciting try (Bachelder no good on the conversion).  Stanford was unable to gain momentum from this try as Cal responded with two quick tries, but continued to battle Cal and delivered some big hits that began to wear on the focus of the Golden Bears.

                Just as in the first half, Stanford’s defensive stiffened during the middle period of the second half and held Cal scoreless for another fifteen-minute period.  During this time, Stanford scored a second try when flyhalf John Clark (2008) threaded the needle with a beautiful grubber from inside the twenty-two and inside center Josiah Hall (2009) out-battled a Cal player to touch down an exceptional try (Bachelder good on conversion).  Towards the end of the game, Cal scored three more tries as Stanford tired to bring the score to 82-15.

                With their trip to Witter Field behind them, the Cardinal will look to build off a game of strong scrimmaging, maintained intensity, and a couple lovely tries as they continue in NorCal League play.

Stanford Lineup: 1 Alex Shih (2008), 2 Brennan Corbett (2008), 3 Josh Kuempel (2008), 4 Brandon Willetts (2008), 5 Mike Ozowara (Co-Terminal MA 2008), 6 Trevor Grace (2010), 7 Matt Cano (2008), 8 Ian Abernathy (2008), 9 Brad Bachelder (2008), 10 John Clark (2008), 11 Jon Hofius (2008), 12 Josiah Hall (2009), 13 Riley English (2010), 14 Preston Rutherford (2008), 15 Trevor Haas (2010).

Stanford Substitutions: Stephen Foster (2010) for Rutherford.

Stanford Available but DNP: Brendon Pezzack (2009), Doug Cantwell (2010), Jason Prestinario (2010), Ethan Groveman (2010), Travis Lehman (2009).

Stanford Point-Scorers: Bachelder (1C and 1P for 6 points); Grace (1T for 5 points); Hall (1T for 5 points).