STANFORD, Calif. – Christian McCaffrey's latest record-breaking performance vaulted him to first in the country in all-purpose yards.
The junior ran for a school and Big Game-best 284 yards in the rain on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley to lead Stanford to a 45-31 victory over Cal. He finished with 317 all-purpose yards.
Last year against UCLA, McCaffrey eclipsed the Stanford rushing mark with 243.
The previous Big Game standard was 226 established by Joe Igber of Cal in 2003.
"Christian McCaffrey is a once-in-a-lifetime football player," said Cal head coach Sonny Dykes.
Despite missing over six quarters of game action due to injury, McCaffrey now tops the FBS with 2,056 all-purpose yards and averages 205.60 per game. Joe Mixon of Oklahoma is second at 195.00.
The last player to repeat the FBS all-purpose title was Antonio Andrews of Western Kentucky in 2012-13. Since 1939, 12 players have won in consecutive seasons, including Tom Harmon of Michigan, and USC running backs O.J. Simpson, Charles White and Marcus Allen.
McCaffrey climbed to seventh nationally in rushing yards with 1,399 yards and fifth in yards/game at 139.9.
Last year, McCaffrey set an NCAA single-season all-purpose mark by amassing 3,864 yards and was named Associated Press Player of the Year. He finished second in the Heisman Trophy balloting and was a consensus All-American.
Now healthy, McCaffrey has been on a tear the past four games. He's churned out 787 rushing yards, an average of 196.75 per contest.
McCaffrey burned the Bears inside and out. His 90-yard scoring burst on the second play of the third quarter gave Stanford breathing room at 24-14. McCaffrey's 1-yard dive over the top of the pile on third-and-goal from the 1 early in the fourth quarter was the backbreaker.
"He's not the biggest guy, but you can't tell him that," said David Shaw, the Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football. "He runs like a big back. He's going to run in between the tackles, he's going to make people miss, and he has the speed in the open to finish the runs in the end zone."
No one enjoys watching McCaffrey more than junior quarterback Keller Chryst. Now 4-0 as a starter, he loves blocking for him and led the way on a long run Saturday.
Following McCaffrey's 90-yard touchdown romp early in the third quarter, Chryst sprinted down field and was among the first to congratulate him in the end zone.
"It's incredible," Chryst said. "Every time he runs, I want to turn around and watch him the second I hand it off."
Stanford's senior class became the third in a row to go undefeated against Cal, equaling the longest winning streak in series history at seven straight.
For the second consecutive season and fourth time since Shaw took over in 2011, the Cardinal is the "King of California" after sweeping Cal, USC and UCLA.
Senior outside linebacker Peter Kalambayi was all over the field at Cal, collecting a team-high nine tackles. On back-to-back plays in the first quarter, he deflected a pass and had a tackle for loss, resulting in a missed field goal by Cal.
Sophomore inside linebacker Sean Barton also had a big game, with two of his five tackles coming behind the line of scrimmage.
Although Stanford failed to register a sack for only the sixth time in the past 72 games, Cal quarterback Davis Webb never felt comfortable.
"I think their defensive line is one of the best in the country," he said. "They were able to get pressure on us all night."
Stanford (8-3 overall, 6-3 Pac-12) concludes the regular season next Saturday by hosting Rice (3-8) at 5 p.m. PT. The game will be televised by Pac-12 Networks.
The Owls have won two consecutive games, beating UTEP on Saturday, 44-24.
Rice ranks 115th in the FBS in scoring defense (37.0) and 93rd against the run (202.6).
The Cardinal will play in a postseason bowl for the eighth consecutive year. Games will be announced Dec. 4.
In the latest AP poll released Sunday, Washington is ranked sixth; Colorado ninth; USC 12th; Utah 21st; and Washington State 23rd.
Stanford is receiving 88 votes and one spot outside the top 25.
Extra Points ... Stanford has held every opponent below its season scoring average … The Cardinal ranks 20th in the FBS in scoring defense (20.5) … For the second straight game, Stanford did not commit a turnover … Sophomore wide receiver Trenton Irwin caught a 30-yard scoring pass from Chryst, the first of his career ... Junior safety Brandon Simmons continued his stellar special teams play by making two tackles … Senior tight end Greg Taboada entered the Cal game with three catches for 58 yards. On Saturday, he had two for 34 … Stanford's losses this season have been to Washington, Washington State and Colorado. They are a combined 27-6 … Former Cardinal linebacker Chris Draft '98 served as Stanford's honorary captain. Also an outfielder on the baseball team, he played 12 years in the NFL, collecting 667 tackles and 16 sacks.
Quotable ... "What else can you say about Christian McCaffrey that hasn't already been said? Great football player, one of the best in the nation." - David Shaw on Christian McCaffrey.
