Possibly the most iconic and heartbreaking Big Game moment came in 1982: a four-second sequence forever known as “The Play.” With practically no time left on the clock, Cal’s offense pulled together an unimaginable game-winning touchdown.
Rosemary Knight, Stanford geophysics professor and senior fellow for the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, was there to witness it.
Knight was working towards her PhD in geophysics while her husband was working on his PhD in geological sciences. They traveled to Berkeley for Big Game that year. Even decades later, she describes the atmosphere with vivid excitement.
“John Elway was the Stanford quarterback, and I just remember being in the stands screaming my head off, because there had just been this spectacular performance by the Stanford team,” said Knight, recalling the game leading up to its final play.
Just before The Play unfolded, Stanford fans were confident that they had secured a Big Game win after a field goal secured them three points.
“We were ahead 20-19, all that’s left is four seconds,” Knight said. “So we were just elated, screaming, I’m surprised I’m not still hoarse to this day. The Cal section was dead silent.”
But then came chaos. In the final play of the game, Stanford kicked a squib kick, intended to go long but awkwardly fell short, that was recovered by Cal.
“I was jumping up and down and screaming because I thought we’d won, and my husband’s going ‘Ro, Ro, the ball’s still in play,’” Knight said.
Cal kept the play alive with five lateral passes as time expired. The Leland Stanford Junior Marching Band (LSJUMB), believing the game was over, had already rushed the field.
“You can see in the video for the game, the trombone player just gets run over as the Cal player goes into the end zone to score,” Knight said.
In possibly the most devastating moment in Big Game history, Cal defeated Stanford in a 25-20 game.
“The worst part was we then had to walk through the Berkeley campus on our way to the train station, all the parties and the celebration going on, and us in our Stanford colors,” Knight said.
“The Play” became legend, and even merchandise.
“Someone made a T-shirt. It was called ‘The Play,’ and on the T-shirt, it shows these five lateral passes going down the field,” Knight said. “I would be wearing it if I bought it.”
Though she doesn’t consider herself a die-hard sports fan, Knight said the memory — and her pride in Stanford — have never faded.
“I’ve just always been a real fan of all things Stanford, not particularly sports. I don’t always go to sports events. I don’t regularly buy season tickets, by any means, but I just love this university.”
When asked to deliver a message to today’s Stanford students ahead of Big Game, Knight said, “Cheer, cheer, cheer, like your life depends on it. This team needs your support, and it’s gonna be an amazing game. You could be at the next famous Big Game.”