Before this season, Stanford seniors had never witnessed a Big Game win. Stanford football changed that last November with an impressive 31-10 win over Cal.

Seniors Graham Johnstone, Liza Mikacich and Jacob Rubenstein previously spoke with The Daily, on behalf of the senior class, on what a Big Game win could mean for them. Now, they reflect on the record after finally winning The Axe back, and what it means for Stanford athletics entering 2026.

“It was just so full circle,” Mikacich said. “The goal of every year has been to win Big Game since we haven’t been bowl game eligible or anything like that. But I feel like since we finally won the game, and we waited so long for the win, it just felt very rewarding.”

“It’s always slightly depressing when the day is so hyped up, and then at the end of it, you’re just standing in the cold, all depressed,” Rubenstein said. “And I think ending the day on a positive note will genuinely be a lot of our best memories of this whole year.”

Johnstone provided some more big-picture thoughts on the long-awaited win.

“It’s ideal when we’re thinking about the direction of Stanford football,” Johnstone said about the victory. “[We] want to get Stanford football back to its glory days, want to make a bowl game, go to the playoffs, stuff like that. It finally feels like we’re on the right track.”

Seeing The Axe return home has made Stanford seniors even more excited for the rest of the year in Stanford Athletics. 

“I think we have a lot of amazing teams that have done really well already, including football. They kind of exceeded expectations, but also, men’s and women’s soccer,” Rubenstein said.

Mikacich and Johnstone are particularly looking forward to the success of men’s basketball.

“We just upset Louisville, so I really hope the men’s basketball team can maybe make the tournament this year,” Mikacich said. “Maybe make March Madness. That would be really exciting.”

Johnstone is sure The Farm would be “lit” if the men’s team made “The Big Dance.”

“I hope it’s not too much to ask for,” Johnstone said. “Ebuka Okorie’s been hooping. Benny Gealer’s been hooping. I mean, really, Chisom Okpara’s been hooping. So I think it’s actually possible. I feel like if we make it to the NCAA tournament in basketball, I don’t even know what would happen at Stanford. I think we’d be lit again, quite frankly.”

Beyond basketball, students were also excited to see how other sports do.

“I’m really looking forward to watching men’s baseball and women’s softball, which are two teams that have been really good over the past few years,” Rubenstein said. “I always like watching when either of our baseball teams or softball teams play against Cal because there’s always a little bit more school spirit then.”

Mikacich echoed Rubenstein’s thoughts.

“My friends and I always like watching baseball in the spring, just because it’s in the sun and you can kind of just hang out and chat, since the games move a little bit slower,” Mikacich said.

Johnstone is anticipating an exciting baseball season from the Cardinal, as well. 

“Rintaro Sasakii is, like, the guy. So I’m just excited to see what we do,” he said.

As seniors, students have had the last four years to make lasting connections with their student-athlete peers, something that has contributed highly to their Stanford experience. 

“I’ve been able to meet so many of these athletes myself. So it’s become a lot more of a personal relationship, in a way,” Rubenstein said. “It’s more than just names and numbers and people, it’s now actual people who I can put stories and personalities behind their faces.” 

Watching classmates compete in Stanford’s athletic programs can be just as motivating as cheering from the stands. These seniors took a moment to shout out the athletes and teams that have inspired them throughout their time on campus.

Mikacich gave a shoutout to her freshman-year roommate, who plays for the Stanford water polo team. 

“Her name is Jenna Flynn,” Mikacich said. “She took a gap year her sophomore year to train for the Olympic team. And then my family all flew out to watch her play in Paris. So she’s always been really inspiring to me.”

Johnstone had a similar shoutout to one of his friends.

“I gotta shout out my boy Theo Snoey, he’s on the volleyball team,” Johnstone said. “He just inspires me so much with his outside hitting and everything he really does. He’s a great leadership voice.”

In their final remarks, Stanford seniors have some advice for younger Stanford football fans.

“Never give up on Stanford football, because we finally got the Big Game win out of them our senior year,” Mikacich said.

“What they should expect? Continued dominance, to be honest,” said Johnstone. “You know Stanford’s gonna be good. I have faith in Andrew Luck. Let’s prepare ourselves for some good, good years of Stanford football.”