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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Stanford Wins; Gilby May Pay

Associated Press

The Stanford Cardinal don’t know yet whether they’re going to a bowl. California coach Keith Gilbertson doesn’t know if he’ll keep his job.

This much is certain: Stanford beat Cal 29-24 in the 98th Big Game on Saturday with Mike Mitchell leading the way by rushing for 138 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter.

Anthony Bookman added 95 yards on 12 carries and Mark Butterfield threw for 207 yards and another score for the Cardinal (7-3-1, 5-3 Pac-10), who now await word on a possible bowl invitation.

It was the first winning season since 1992 for Stanford, which achieved a dramatic turnaround under first-year coach Tyrone Willingham. Stanford went 3-7-1 last year under Bill Walsh.

“We don’t need to say a lot - today’s game speaks for itself,” Willingham said.

Stanford could be considered for the Aloha, Independence or Liberty bowls but nothing is certain.

Willingham said Stanford has no control over its bowl prospects but nothing can take away from the satisfaction of defeating rival Cal.

“You win the game of the year, a game that makes the season in itself,” Willingham said. “Does it cloud the season (if no bowl bid is forthcoming)? No. The Axe is a tradition at this school and winning it was one of our objectives. We accomplished that.”

Keith Gilbertson, meanwhile, completed his third losing season in four years at Cal and may have coached his last game for the Golden Bears (3-8, 2-6). Cal athletic director John Kasser said he would evaluate Gilbertson’s status following the season.

The Bears got 334 yards passing and a pair of scoring throws from Pat Barnes, and Reynard Rutherford gained 114 yards on 28 carries. But a fourth-quarter turnover by tight end Tony Gonzalez, who had 10 catches for 150 yards, proved costly for Cal.

Stanford snapped a tie when Mitchell ran 5 yards for a score with 14:07 left, but the extra point missed. After trading punts, Cal had the ball at its 15 and Barnes hit a 17-yard pass to Gonzalez, but Kwame Ellis stripped the ball loose and recovered it at the Cal 29.

Stanford 29, Cal 24

California 0 10 7 7 - 24

Stanford 0 10 7 12 - 29

Sta-FG Abrams 41

Cal-FG Longwell 46

Sta-Comella 3 run (Abrams kick)

Cal-Gonzalez 23 pass from Barnes (Longwell kick)

Sta-Mitchell 7 run (Abrams kick)

Cal-Rutherford 1 run (Longwell kick)

Sta-Mitchell 5 run (kick failed)

Sta-Harris 7 pass from Butterfield (pass failed)

Cal-Benjamin 11 pass from Barnes (Longwell kick)

A-72,893.

Cal Stan First downs 24 26 Rushes-yards 31-130 50-246 Passing 334 207 Return Yards 21 10 Comp-Att-Int 29-43-0 17-26-0 Punts 5-39 5-41 Fumbles-Lost 1-1 3-1 Penalties-Yards 7-76 7-55 Time of Possession 28:31 31:29

RUSHINGCalifornia, Rutherford 28-114, Tavake 3-16. Stanford, Mitchell 26-138, Bookman 12-95, Comella 5-27, Salina 2-4, Butterfield 5-(minus-18).

PASSINGCalifornia, Barnes 29-43-0-334. Stanford, Butterfield 17-26-0-207.

RECEIVINGCalifornia, Gonzalez 10-150, Benjamin 7-81, Rutherford 6-51, Douglas 3-31, Shaw 1-11, Tavake 1-8, Bullard 1-2. Stanford, Bookman 5-54, Harris 4-72, Manning 4-45, Clark 2-19, Mitchell 2-17.

(16) Oregon 12, Oregon St. 10

Joshua Smith kicked four field goals as the Ducks came from behind to beat the Beavers in Eugene, Ore., and clinch a berth in the Cotton Bowl.

The Ducks (9-2 overall, 6-2 Pac-10) were 17-point favorites in the annual “Civil War” battle with the Beavers, who lost their 10th in a row.

But Oregon State (1-10, 0-8) shut down Oregon’s high-powered offense, especially when the Ducks drove deep into Beavers’ territory.

Oregon quarterback Tony Graziani had an off-day passing but he rushed for 108 yards in 15 carries, several times on scrambles when the passing plays broke down. Alex Molden’s interception and 17-yard return to the Oregon State 36 set up Smith’s 35-yard field goal that put Oregon ahead for the only time all evening, 12-10 with 9:21 to play.