STANFORD, Calif. – In the history of Stanford football which spans nearly 120 years, only 12 senior classes have gone undefeated against Cal. That figure could increase Saturday night if the 15th-ranked Cardinal prevails in the 118th Big Game at Stanford Stadium.
“We talked about it,” said inside linebacker Blake Martinez. “It’s huge. Not just for us as seniors, but for the guys that have come before us. If they got it done, why can’t we?”
Stanford will try to retain the Axe for the sixth-straight year.
“It would mean everything,” quarterback Kevin Hogan said. “It’s one of those tangible things you can take away from a game. Our school takes a lot of pride in keeping the Axe on The Farm.”
Wide receivers Devon Cajuste and Michael Rector agreed.
“That would be such an honor to be part of that exclusive group,” Cajuste said.
Added Rector, “Especially since there have been so many great classes ahead of us do it. Your class would go down in the (history) books for that. The senior class doesn’t know life without the Axe and we don’t want to know life without the Axe.”
Martinez expects a dogfight.
“They’re going to want to end that streak and come in hungrier than ever,” he said.
“I didn’t know much about the rivalry before I got here,” said the Virginia-born Hogan. “I think it’s something that you kind of grow into. Once I started playing in it, the energy level is right up there with the best games I’ve played in. It means a lot to both sides and is bragging rights for the Bay Area.”
Players form life-long connections and memories through the Big Game.
“It’s relationships that you build with Stanford alumni and former teammates,” Hogan said. “I was talking to Coach Pritchard the other day and he said, ‘You guys don’t know the feeling of losing that Axe, but I do.’ That really hit home.”
Hogan recalled a conversation last year with former offensive lineman Andrew Phillips.
“He was talking about walking by the trophy case and the Axe was gone and how he was feeling,” said Hogan. “That’s not something I want to experience.”
Cajuste grew up in Seaford, New York.
“I didn’t know what it was about,” he said. “Seeing the culture and environment during game week … it’s huge. Every play matters and every play counts. It extends beyond you and your team. It extends for 117 years.”
Rector was raised in Tacoma, Washington, and enjoys the Big Game buildup.
“Each morning you wake up, you’re one day closer,” he said. “There’s so much that goes on, whether it’s coloring the fountains red, going to Big Game rallies, or seeing the big banners hanging on buildings. We try to let the freshman know, but they’ll learn on their own like I did.”
His players agreed.
“It’s a feeling you can’t really describe,” said Rector. “It’s like a moment you have to step back and realize that this thing is bigger than you for both teams. It’s something special that we were given an opportunity to be part of.”
Admittedly, emotions will be flowing.
“This is the final time I’ll ever suit up in a Stanford uniform against a Cal Bear,” Cajuste said. “I don’t even want to imagine losing the Axe in my last year and I think all of the seniors will vouch for that.”
“I’m definitely excited,” said Scarlett. “It’s going to be intense, I know that for sure.”
Scarlett, a management science and engineering major, is pursuing his master’s degree. Playing with his younger brother, Cameron, a freshman running back, figured heavily in his decision to attend Stanford.
“This was the best fit for me,” he said. “All these guys were cool, so it was an easy transition.”
Scarlett has seen the Axe on campus, but doesn’t feel like he contributed.
“I don’t feel like I’ve earned the Axe,” said Scarlett. “It’s here and I’m here, but I didn’t really win it. So in that regard, I’m still looking to earn the Axe this year with the Stanford team.”
“We talked about it,” said inside linebacker Blake Martinez. “It’s huge. Not just for us as seniors, but for the guys that have come before us. If they got it done, why can’t we?”
Stanford will try to retain the Axe for the sixth-straight year.
“It would mean everything,” quarterback Kevin Hogan said. “It’s one of those tangible things you can take away from a game. Our school takes a lot of pride in keeping the Axe on The Farm.”
Wide receivers Devon Cajuste and Michael Rector agreed.
“That would be such an honor to be part of that exclusive group,” Cajuste said.
Added Rector, “Especially since there have been so many great classes ahead of us do it. Your class would go down in the (history) books for that. The senior class doesn’t know life without the Axe and we don’t want to know life without the Axe.”
Martinez expects a dogfight.
“They’re going to want to end that streak and come in hungrier than ever,” he said.
* * *
Upperclassmen understand the history, tradition and emotion surrounding the Stanford-Cal rivalry. With the exception of players who grew up in Northern California, it will be a new experience for many underclassmen.“I didn’t know much about the rivalry before I got here,” said the Virginia-born Hogan. “I think it’s something that you kind of grow into. Once I started playing in it, the energy level is right up there with the best games I’ve played in. It means a lot to both sides and is bragging rights for the Bay Area.”
Players form life-long connections and memories through the Big Game.
“It’s relationships that you build with Stanford alumni and former teammates,” Hogan said. “I was talking to Coach Pritchard the other day and he said, ‘You guys don’t know the feeling of losing that Axe, but I do.’ That really hit home.”
Hogan recalled a conversation last year with former offensive lineman Andrew Phillips.
“He was talking about walking by the trophy case and the Axe was gone and how he was feeling,” said Hogan. “That’s not something I want to experience.”
Cajuste grew up in Seaford, New York.
“I didn’t know what it was about,” he said. “Seeing the culture and environment during game week … it’s huge. Every play matters and every play counts. It extends beyond you and your team. It extends for 117 years.”
Rector was raised in Tacoma, Washington, and enjoys the Big Game buildup.
“Each morning you wake up, you’re one day closer,” he said. “There’s so much that goes on, whether it’s coloring the fountains red, going to Big Game rallies, or seeing the big banners hanging on buildings. We try to let the freshman know, but they’ll learn on their own like I did.”
* * *
Taking the field for a Big Game is a feeling unlike any other. Earlier in the week, David Shaw, the Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football, compared the atmosphere to a bowl game. He knows from experience, having suited up five times (he redshirted in 1990) and played in four.His players agreed.
“It’s a feeling you can’t really describe,” said Rector. “It’s like a moment you have to step back and realize that this thing is bigger than you for both teams. It’s something special that we were given an opportunity to be part of.”
Admittedly, emotions will be flowing.
“This is the final time I’ll ever suit up in a Stanford uniform against a Cal Bear,” Cajuste said. “I don’t even want to imagine losing the Axe in my last year and I think all of the seniors will vouch for that.”
* * *
Graduate transfer Brennan Scarlett spent four years at Cal, but has never played in the Big Game due to injuries. That will change Saturday when he starts at defensive end for the Cardinal.“I’m definitely excited,” said Scarlett. “It’s going to be intense, I know that for sure.”
Scarlett, a management science and engineering major, is pursuing his master’s degree. Playing with his younger brother, Cameron, a freshman running back, figured heavily in his decision to attend Stanford.
“This was the best fit for me,” he said. “All these guys were cool, so it was an easy transition.”
Scarlett has seen the Axe on campus, but doesn’t feel like he contributed.
“I don’t feel like I’ve earned the Axe,” said Scarlett. “It’s here and I’m here, but I didn’t really win it. So in that regard, I’m still looking to earn the Axe this year with the Stanford team.”
* * *
Quotable ...“The relationships run deeper than the color of the jerseys.” - Brennan Scarlett on facing his former teammates
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