Nov. 20, 1999
Final StatsPost-Game AudioAudio clip includes Coach Willingham's post-game pressconference and brief interviews with (in order) Mike McLaughlin, TimSmith, Marc Stockbauer, Casey Moore, Troy Walters and Wille Howard.
STANFORD, Calif. (AP) - The Big Game turned into a big party for Stanford.
Stanford wrapped up its first undisputed Pac-10 title with a 31-13 victoryover California on Saturday, and is heading to the Rose Bowl for the first timesince 1972.
"It's surreal right now. I can't believe it's happening," said Stanfordquarterback Todd Husak, who joined teammates in waving roses to fans as thegame ended. "I thought they'd have hats or T-shirts, but the roses are a nicetouch. To be able to put a rose between my teeth is a great feeling."
Casey Moore had two scoring runs for Stanford. His 94-yard run early in thefourth quarter was the second longest in school history and the longest atStanford in 47 years. Moore also had a 1-yard scoring run in the second period.
The Cardinal (7-3, 7-1 Pac-10) overcame two touchdowns by Deltha O'Neal, whoreturned a kickoff 100 yards and a punt 58 yards for scores.
Cal (4-7, 3-5) managed just 130 yards total offense. The Bears had eightfirst downs, three in the first three quarters.
Stanford, which has lost its only two non-conference games this season andhas a game remaining next Saturday against Notre Dame, will face Big Tenchampion Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.
"There's a real sense of euphoria," said Cardinal coach Tyrone Willingham,who is 8-0 in the Big Game with five straight victories since becoming Stanfordcoach in 1995 and three wins as an assistant in 1989-91. "We've accomplishedsomething that many people don't understand. This just feels great."
The Cardinal are a most unlikely conference champion. Coming off a 3-8season in 1998, they had the nation's second-worst defense entering thisweekend. They have not been ranked this season.
It is the first undisputed conference championship for Stanford since thePac-8 expanded to the Pac-10 in 1978. The Cardinal tied Washington for thetitle in 1992.
There have been six different Pac-10 champions in the last six seasons -Oregon won in 1994, followed by Southern California, Arizona State, WashingtonState and UCLA last season.
The win was the fifth straight for Stanford in the Big Game, the oldestrivalry on the West Coast. Stanford has a 52-39-11 record in the series againstCal, which began in 1892 and is tied for 10th longest in the nation.
Husak, who was 11-of-26 for 216 yards, threw a 36-yard scoring pass to DaveDavis for Stanford. Brian Allen added a 22-yard scoring run and Mike Bisellikicked an 18-yard field goal.
Former walk-on Wes Dalton, a fifth-year senior making his first start forCal, was 11-of-25 for 119 yards and threw two interceptions.
O'Neal, who moved from offense to defense last season, ended up as Cal'sleading scorer this season with 36 points - an NCAA-record four interceptionreturns for touchdowns and the two special teams scores Saturday. He also hadan interception against Stanford, his ninth of the season.
"I shocked myself game after game," said O'Neal, who began his collegecareer as a tailback. "I didn't think I'd do half of what I've done."
Allen broke two tackles while scooting through the middle of the line toopen the scoring 1:53 into the game. But O'Neal returned the ensuing kickoff100 yards, evading three tacklers and speeding down the sideline.
Stanford regained the lead early in the second quarter on Moore's 1-yardrun. But O'Neal struck again, returning a punt for a score, but the extra pointattempt was blocked. Davis scored late in the half to make it 21-13.
After a scoreless third period, Moore broke a tackle and outran the Caldefense for his second scoring run. It was Stanford's longest run since BillRodgers had a 96-yard run against Oregon State in 1952.
By ROB GLOSTER
AP Sports Writer