Stanford seals Cal collapse

STANFORD, Calif. – California bottomed out in the Big Game, and Stanford was left holding The Axe.

T.C. Ostrander passed for 151 yards and an early touchdown to Mark Bradford, and Stanford snapped its five-game losing streak against Cal with a 20-13 victory Saturday night, the Golden Bears’ sixth loss in seven games during an incredible collapse by the former No. 2 team.

Nick Sanchez intercepted two passes in the 110th Big Game for the Cardinal (4-8, 3-6 Pac-10), who earned their first home conference victory under rookie coach Jim Harbaugh in the most rewarding way possible for Cardinal fans enduring their sixth straight losing season.

Stanford won for just the sixth time in 29 games but beat Cal coach Jeff Tedford for the first time in six tries. With Sanchez making the biggest plays, the Cardinal held Tedford’s offense to 13 points or fewer for just the fourth time in his six seasons.

Nate Longshore went 22 of 47 for 252 yards and two second-half interceptions in another awful performance for the Golden Bears (6-6, 3-6), who were the nation’s second-ranked team before their first loss in early October.