BERKELEY – Nikko Remigio was at a loss for words shortly after his signature performance played a pivotal role in California's first Big Game win since 2009.
 
Three days later, the experience of winning The Big Game – and putting together a 157-yard receiving performance – was easier to verbalize for the sophomore wide receiver.
 
"It's the greatest feeling in the world when you're on the field and everything is clicking," Remigio reflected after the Bears' practice on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. "That final drive had everything go right, to the point where you're not even thinking about everything happening around you. The crowd isn't there; you're just locked in to the moment, playing ball and having fun."
 
There's no debate about Remigio's focus during the final minutes of Cal's thrilling 24-20 win over Stanford on Saturday, as the wide-out hauled in passes for 14 and 10 yards to jumpstart a game-winning drive that ended with a 16-yard touchdown scramble by quarterback Chase Garbers. Remigio's 157 receiving yards were a career-high and the most by a Cal player in the Big Game since Geoff McArthur had a school record 245 in 2003. Remigio also had a career-best nine receptions and added a touchdown catch, which tied the game at 17-17 earlier in the fourth quarter.
 
It was a breakout performance in many ways for the Orange native, who appeared to be the Bears' top outside threat during preseason camp but has battled injuries throughout the fall.
 
"More than anything, it's a reminder of how I personally believe I should perform in every game, not just The Big Game," Remigio said. "I'll use this as motivation and as a standard for how I want to compete each week. It's a blessing that I could do this in The Big Game, but that's what I want every week. It sets the bar for what I know I can do consistently."
 
For Garbers, seeing Remigio perform at a high level was a confidence boost for the entire team.
 
"Nikko was coming off an injury that kept him from being involved in conditioning, and that's surely tough for a wide receiver because of how much that plays a role in their preparation," Garbers said. "Having him step up in that moment is huge for our team and for Nikko personally."
 
Remigio was Garbers' favorite target all afternoon. In addition to connecting twice on the Bears' final drive, Garbers found Remigio for a 40-yard completion on the same fourth-quarter drive that ended with an 18-yard score for the duo.
 
"On the deep ball, I saw there was man coverage, but I knew Nikko was a lot more athletic than their nickel (defender)," Garbers said of the game-winning drive. "Nikko went on a seam route and I tried to put a ball in his vicinity…I knew he'd come down with it.
 
"On his shallow cross (route) that led to a first down on the final drive, [Stanford] was playing more zone coverage. Their linebacker didn't really drop as wide as we thought he would – he dropped more vertical – but Nikko out-flanked him. I tried to put the ball on his chest and watch him do the rest."
 
Cal wide receivers coach Burl Toler III is no stranger to success in The Big Game. The second-year coach won three consecutive Big Games from 2002-04 as a Cal wide receiver and caught a 20-yard touchdown from Marshawn Lynch on a halfback pass during the Bears' blowout victory in 2004.
 
"A Big Game victory…it doesn't compare to anything else," Toler III said. "We have the mentality of approaching each game the same way, but there's something special about The Big Game. Our players got the chance to experience bringing home The Axe and we're excited for them.
 
"I wasn't surprised at all to see Nikko perform how he did on such a big stage. He keeps the same mentality day in, day out and he's constantly striving to outdo the best version of himself."
 
For Remigio, replicating that same mental zone he found himself in on Saturday will be key to his personal success.
 
"The injuries have been tough this year, but to put it all together heading into The Big Game is something to be grateful for," Remigio said. "That's why I play the game of football - going through those ups and downs teaches you to enjoy those highs and learn from the lows. It's what keeps me drawn to this game."