Highly decorated coach Frank Reich would love nothing more than to add to his impressive resume when he leads Stanford up against visiting Cal in the annual Big Game rivalry Saturday.
A two-time former NFL head coach who won a Super Bowl ring as offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018, Reich agreed to coach Stanford this season on a one-year interim basis after Troy Taylor’s April firing.
He’ll make his Big Game debut Saturday in his second-to-last game at the Stanford helm, seeking to add his name to a list of rivalry-winning Cardinal coaches that includes Pop Warner, Bill Walsh and Jim Harbaugh.
Despite Stanford (3-7, 2-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) already being assured of a losing record, Reich admits he’s learned that beating Cal can be how any Cardinal season is remembered.
“I’ve really enjoyed being part of this community and realizing how big this is,” he assured reporters this week. “I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Cal (6-4, 3-3) won last year’s 127th rendition of the Big Game 24-21 at home thanks to two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Fernando Mendoza to Jonathan Brady.
Mendoza has since transferred to Indiana, where he is a Heisman Trophy candidate this season, handing the ball off at Cal to freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who has thrown for 2,518 yards and 13 touchdowns this season.
Two of those TD’s and 323 of those yards came in Cal’s most recent outing, a 29-26 overtime win at 14th-ranked Louisville.
While Stanford acknowledges Reich’s agreement with the school is a one-and-done, Cal fans are hoping the same isn’t true for their freshman standout.
Pressed on the issue this week, the Hawaii native wasn’t promising anything.
“I’m just ready to take in the (Big Game) experience,” he said of his future this week. “My main focus is winning this game on Saturday. But I’m pretty sure (I’ll be back), yeah.”
Stanford is expected to counter with a freshman of their own. Elijah Brown replaced Ben Gulbranson for the second half of the Cardinal’s 35-20 home loss to Pittsburgh on Nov. 1, then threw for 284 yards and a score as the starter in a 20-15 loss at North Carolina in Stanford’s most recent game.
Both teams had a bye last week.
-Field Level Media
