The Senior Class Is Eager For Its Final Big Game
11/15/2016 11:48 PM | Football, Inside The Lair
It's nice to go out on top.
For California's seniors, set to play in their final Big Game against Stanford on Saturday, they have an axe to grind.
Better yet, one to win.
Present since the onset of the Golden Bears' rebuilding years in 2013 when current head coach Sonny Dykes took the helm, the soon-to-be graduating group has one last shot at winning The Axe, awarded annually to the victor in the longstanding rivalry.
Unfortunately, the current group of Bears has yet to experience the valor that comes with hoisting up the historic trophy, with Cal's last win coming in 2009.
That notion, however, does not squelch the excitement that Cal (4-6, 2-5 Pac-12) has heading into the 119th iteration of the Big Game.
"This week, records go out the window. All that matters is getting the Axe back," said senior wide receiver Patrick Worstell, who is one of the few players remaining from the Jeff Tedford era at Cal. "The motivation is huge. You shouldn't need any music, you shouldn't need any yelling. It's Big Game week, and that's all you need.
"I already have butterflies for this game. Past games don't matter. Only this game matters, and we're going to do our best to get the Axe back."
That excitement is not lost on Dykes who preps for his fourth battle against the Bears' Bay-Area rival.
"It's been a fun week for me and for the players," Dykes said. "It's one of the great traditions in college football. To play 119 times is pretty unique. I have great respect for the rivalry and great respect for Stanford and its program."
Stanford (7-3, 5-3) leads the all-time series, 61-46-11, and has upended Cal in Berkeley in three consecutive outings.
Knowing that, strategically, the Bears understand what it will take to beat a Cardinal team that is on a three-game win streak.
"Up front, we have to beat Stanford and we have to protect Davis (Webb) and create gaps for our guys," said senior offensive lineman Chris Borrayo. "Coming into the Big Game, it's about making sure we let everything in the past go, focusing on where we are now and getting that Axe back.
"It's been a lot more chipper and everyone is excited because everyone is ready to get going," Borrayo added. "Personally, this game means a lot more to my heart than it has in previous years. I heard it as a junior, as a sophomore and as a freshman, that the seniors want the Axe the most. Every time the seniors see each other right now we're like, 'This is it, this is it.'"
The magnitude of the game is apparent from an emotional standpoint for the senior corps, as well, as another senior said this game is bigger than them.
"It's always a little bit different than any other game, it's like your emotions run higher," said fifth-year senior Steven Moore. "You really feel the difference on Saturday. Once it's game time, it's like 'Wow, we're about to play Stanford,' This means a lot to a lot of people."
Worstell agreed, "There's so much tradition behind it. You're not playing for just yourself or this team, you're playing for all of the past teams at Cal, for the alumni, for your family. That's what adds the extra feeling when you step on the field."
This year's senior class has been part of a lot of changes as the Cal program is on the upswing. Last year, the Bears played in their first bowl game since 2011, but even that achievement pales to a Big Game win.
"It would be unbelievable to get the Axe back," Worstell said. "Last year, going to a bowl game was great, and if we can win out this season and go to a bowl game that will be great. But if we get the Axe back, people will remember that. That's something that you hold on to for the rest of your life."
For California's seniors, set to play in their final Big Game against Stanford on Saturday, they have an axe to grind.
Better yet, one to win.
Present since the onset of the Golden Bears' rebuilding years in 2013 when current head coach Sonny Dykes took the helm, the soon-to-be graduating group has one last shot at winning The Axe, awarded annually to the victor in the longstanding rivalry.
Unfortunately, the current group of Bears has yet to experience the valor that comes with hoisting up the historic trophy, with Cal's last win coming in 2009.
That notion, however, does not squelch the excitement that Cal (4-6, 2-5 Pac-12) has heading into the 119th iteration of the Big Game.
"This week, records go out the window. All that matters is getting the Axe back," said senior wide receiver Patrick Worstell, who is one of the few players remaining from the Jeff Tedford era at Cal. "The motivation is huge. You shouldn't need any music, you shouldn't need any yelling. It's Big Game week, and that's all you need.
"I already have butterflies for this game. Past games don't matter. Only this game matters, and we're going to do our best to get the Axe back."
That excitement is not lost on Dykes who preps for his fourth battle against the Bears' Bay-Area rival.
"It's been a fun week for me and for the players," Dykes said. "It's one of the great traditions in college football. To play 119 times is pretty unique. I have great respect for the rivalry and great respect for Stanford and its program."
Stanford (7-3, 5-3) leads the all-time series, 61-46-11, and has upended Cal in Berkeley in three consecutive outings.
Knowing that, strategically, the Bears understand what it will take to beat a Cardinal team that is on a three-game win streak.
"Up front, we have to beat Stanford and we have to protect Davis (Webb) and create gaps for our guys," said senior offensive lineman Chris Borrayo. "Coming into the Big Game, it's about making sure we let everything in the past go, focusing on where we are now and getting that Axe back.
"It's been a lot more chipper and everyone is excited because everyone is ready to get going," Borrayo added. "Personally, this game means a lot more to my heart than it has in previous years. I heard it as a junior, as a sophomore and as a freshman, that the seniors want the Axe the most. Every time the seniors see each other right now we're like, 'This is it, this is it.'"
The magnitude of the game is apparent from an emotional standpoint for the senior corps, as well, as another senior said this game is bigger than them.
"It's always a little bit different than any other game, it's like your emotions run higher," said fifth-year senior Steven Moore. "You really feel the difference on Saturday. Once it's game time, it's like 'Wow, we're about to play Stanford,' This means a lot to a lot of people."
Worstell agreed, "There's so much tradition behind it. You're not playing for just yourself or this team, you're playing for all of the past teams at Cal, for the alumni, for your family. That's what adds the extra feeling when you step on the field."
This year's senior class has been part of a lot of changes as the Cal program is on the upswing. Last year, the Bears played in their first bowl game since 2011, but even that achievement pales to a Big Game win.
"It would be unbelievable to get the Axe back," Worstell said. "Last year, going to a bowl game was great, and if we can win out this season and go to a bowl game that will be great. But if we get the Axe back, people will remember that. That's something that you hold on to for the rest of your life."
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, October 27
Wednesday, October 21
Friday, October 16
Tuesday, October 13
