Seven minutes and 37 seconds remained in the fourth quarter. The Stanford offense charged onto the field. Short passes (were they to Scott, Morris or again and again to James?) Caydance was thinking about her students' due-soon final projects. Cal penalty. (roughing the passer?) Someone dropped the ball. Cal linebacker Ken Harvey sacked John Paye. Caydance was worrying about two students whose work wasn't pulling together when unbelievably -- given the serious pain in John Paye's injured shoulder -- an heroic 69 yard touchdown pass to star receiver Jeff James brought Stanford fans to their feet. Coach Elway called for the two point conversion. Cal 17 Stanford 11.

With 4:47 left to play, on both sides, fans were riveted to the field. The Cards were nationally ranked 16. The Bears were 1-9. Another touchdown would put Stanford ahead by 1. If they lost this game, it would be Cal's worst season. Ever.

In her heart Caydance did not want this. But Griff was a Stanford coach, and there had never been another man in her life in whose company she was so happy. Next year, she would go to the mountains during the Big Game, she thought, as the Stanford Band played "Its allright now".