STANFORD, Calif. – Chase Garbers scored on a 16-yard scramble with 1:19 remaining in the fourth quarter, lifting California to a 24-20 win over Stanford in the 122nd annual Big Game on Saturday.
Garbers, who was knocked out of last week's loss to USC, passed for 285 yards and a touchdown and ran for 72 yards on 13 carries. Garber's final run came after he overthrew Nikko Remigio in the end zone and helped the Golden Bears (6-5, 3-5 Pac-12) end a nine-game losing streak to their rivals.
Stanford (4-7, 3-6 Pac-12) had its 10-game bowl winning streak snapped for the first time since 2008. The Cardinal's streak was the longest in school history and longest active streak in the Pac-12.
Despite having 25 players unavailable due to injury, Stanford took a 20-17 lead with 2:23 remaining in the fourth quarter following Ryan Sanborn's 44-yard field goal.
After throwing for a school-record 504 yards last week against Washington State, Mills completed 26 of 35 passes for 290 yards and one touchdown for the Cardinal. Mills threw passes to 10 different receivers, including Michael Wilson, who hauled in six receptions for a team-high 63 yards.
Stanford led 7-0 with 13:00 left in the first quarter, after Mills connected on a 40-yard pass to Donald Stewart, who found the end zone for his first career touchdown.
Tied 7-7, Sanborn converted a career-best 48-yard field goal before Greg Thomas' 49-yard field goal made it 10-10 at halftime.
Stanford moved in front 17-10 when Scarlett scored a touchdown despite his feet never landing in the end zone. Scarlett dove over the goal line from a yard out and landed in the arms of several of his teammates who carried him while celebrating the score. Scarlett finished with 31 yards on 12 carries.
With 7:44 remaining in the fourth quarter, Garbers hooked up with Remigio for an 18-yard score to even the game at 17-17. Remigio repeatedly came up big for the Bears and finished with nine catches for 157 yards and a touchdown.
Garbers had an up-and-down afternoon against a Stanford defense that was credited with three official sacks but danced away from the pressure to keep plays alive.
Stanford hosts No. 15 Notre Dame on Nov. 30. The Cardinal has won three of the last four games between the two teams, although the Irish picked up a 38-17 victory last year in South Bend, Indiana.