The Band is On the Field: The Complete History of “The Play”

The Four Seconds That Broke College Football

November 20, 1982. The 85th Big Game between the California Golden Bears (Cal) and the Stanford Cardinal was already a thrilling, high-stakes rivalry clash. With just four seconds left on the clock, Stanford—led by future NFL Hall of Famer John Elway—had completed a masterful, late-fourth-quarter drive, capped by a 35-yard Mark Harmon field goal to take a 20-19 lead. For Stanford, this kick seemed to secure a dramatic victory and a coveted bowl game berth. But what unfolded next transformed a typical rivalry game into “The Play,” a chaotic, controversial, and unforgettable 21 seconds of football anarchy that remains the most analyzed, debated, and hilarious finish in college sports history.

Five Laterals, One Trombone, and a Miracle

The ensuing kickoff was a squib kick, fielded by Cal’s Kevin Moen. Remembering their coach’s admonition to “Don’t fall with the ball,” Moen immediately lateraled to Richard Rodgers. What followed was a desperate, unscripted display of five lateral passes across the field: Moen to Rodgers, to Dwight Garner, back to Rodgers, to Mariet Ford, and finally, Ford’s blind toss back to Moen.

Meanwhile, believing the game was over, the entire Stanford band—all 144 members—had already stormed the field, advancing far beyond the end zone.

With the ball suddenly back in his hands, Moen charged the final 25 yards toward the end zone, not just through Stanford defenders, but through a maze of confused, red-jacketed musicians playing “All Right Now.” The iconic climax came as Moen crossed the goal line for the game-winning touchdown (Cal 25, Stanford 20), colliding violently with unsuspecting trombonist Gary Tyrrell.

Controversy and Legacy

The immediate aftermath was pure pandemonium. Penalty flags littered the field, prompting a lengthy deliberation by the officials. Stanford furiously argued that two of Cal’s laterals were illegal: Dwight Garner’s knee appeared to touch the turf before he passed, and Mariet Ford’s final throw looked forward. However, the referees ultimately confirmed the touchdown, citing the fact that the Stanford band had illegally interfered with the live play.

For Stanford and John Elway, the loss was crushing, denying them a bowl game. For Cal and their legendary radio announcer Joe Starkey, whose breathless call, “The band is on the field! The Bears have won! The most amazing, sensational, dramatic, heart-rending, exciting, thrilling finish in the history of college football!” became instantly legendary.

“The Play” is more than a comeback; it is a permanent piece of football lore, demonstrating that in the heat of rivalry, anything is possible—even a game-winning touchdown run through a marching band.

Conclusion: An Enduring Legend

Forty years later, “The Play” remains the single most iconic moment in the Cal-Stanford “Big Game” rivalry. It serves as a perfect illustration of the chaos, luck, and determination that define college football. The memory of the five laterals, the errant musicians, and Kevin Moen’s triumphant, band-obliterating sprint continues to be celebrated by Cal fans and contested by Stanford loyalists. Whether you believe the laterals were legal or not, the story is settled: on November 20, 1982, California pulled off a football miracle.

The Band Played On

Article from Nov 21, 1982 Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California)