BERKELEY – The best way California wide receiver Jonathan Brady could garner a healthy dose of perspective on the Big Game was to create some perspective himself.

Brady, in his first season with the Golden Bears after transferring from New Mexico State, culminated a weeklong history lesson about the storied rivalry by catching a game-winning 22-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Fernando Mendoza with 2:40 to play to lift Cal to a jolting 24-21 victory over Stanford in the 127^th edition of the Big Game.

"I really thought it was just a regular rivalry, but once I saw some videos and the history, I was like, "OK, this is crazy'," said Brady, who finished with a pair of touchdown receptions. "You felt the energy all week. It was good to be part of it for the first time."

The Bears were happy he was as well. His game-winning grab finished off a legacy-creating 11-play, 98-yard drive that capped off a comeback from a 14-point deficit midway through the third quarter. Mendoza's shovel pass to running back Jaydn Ott gave Cal a successful two-point conversion, and an inspired defense dispatch of Stanford's offense after three plays on the ensuing possession to close things out and open the floodgates for a sold-out crowd to swarm the field at California Memorial Stadium.

"I don't know what it means. I just know after the game, a lot of Cal fans came up to me and thanked me. I never expected anything like that," Brady said. "It's a blessing to be a part of it. I've never felt something so exciting. It means so much to our fans. It was exciting to see a smile on their faces."

Saturday's win didn't only give the Bears a win in the Big Game for the fourth straight year and five out of the past six, it also made them bowl-eligible for the second consecutive season.

For two-and-half quarters, it frankly didn't seem likely. The Cardinal stunned the Bears for two first-quarter touchdowns and led 21-7 with 6:33 to go in the third period. And after Cal fumbled a kickoff away deep in its own territory, it began to look as though the Bears may need a miracle.

It didn't turn out to be that dire, but Cal made the plays to reverse the momentum of the game. The Cardinal took over at the Cal 20 after the fumble but came up empty after a botched snap on a field goal attempt. The Bears cut the deficit to 21-10 on a 46-yard field goal by Ryan Coe and Brady followed with his first touchdown catch – a 30-yarder from Mendoza on a crucial third down.

Cal's defense came up with another stop, setting up the game-winning possession.

"I'm so proud of this team," Travers Family Head Football Coach Justin Wilcox said. "We've been in a lot of tight games this year that certainly haven't gone our way, but we never quit and we found a way to win. That means a lot. There was a time when small people or weak people could have tried to find a way out; that it's not going to be our day. A lot of people would have quit, honestly. It's human nature."

The victory was especially meaningful for sixth-year safety Craig Woodson, who has now helped the Bears retain The Axe five times during his career. He led the Bears with 10 tackles.

"It won't hit me until tonight or a week from now or a year from now," Woodson said. "It's crazy knowing that I've been here my whole career and all the times we've beat Stanford. I think this is the moment I'll remember the most for us to be down like that and come back and win. It means everything. This is something I'll remember for the rest of my life."

The Bears close out the regular season next Saturday at No. 13 SMU. The game kicks off at 12:30 p.m. PT and airs on ESPN2.

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