Stanford vs. UCLA Game at Stanford Stadium, November 30, 2012, PAC-12 Conference Championship Game, (c) Likeitiz

Lately, the family has been quite preoccupied by the PAC-12 Conference.  After all, our favorite team has been doing quite well.  After winning against such formidable opponents as USC and Oregon, we lowly Stanford fans dared to dream of seeing our beloved team qualify for the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day 2013.

And so it was that we would deign to see our team play against UCLA not once but twice in a row to vie for the PAC-12 Championship.  Hubby was determined to watch at Stanford Stadium Friday night, no matter what. “Come hell or high water!” he said. We had booked our tickets.  But through the week, the Bay Area has been drenched by one storm after another.

By Friday morning, as we were getting ready for work, he asked me if I was still interested, seeing that the forecast was for more rain.  We had been in a similar situation about a year ago at the CAL vs. Stanford game.  It was cold, wet, and windy.  We were able to stick it out until the third quarter. Our team was playing well in spite of the rain.  But after that, I had said that I would not be willing to watch a game in the rain anymore.

Come Rain or Shine, We were there! Photo credit (c) Likeitiz

I ate my words!  There we were in our layered clothing, Stanford caps, weather-proof ponchos, and boots, madly waving and cheering our team.  Daughter and her boyfriend were there with their fellow alums cheering their team ferociously.

Stanford Fans Rush To Field as Stanford Wins! Photo credit (c) Likeitiz

The first three-quarters were dotted with ties, incomplete passes, and helmets falling off.  The players kept slip-sliding away on the sodden grass.  It must have been quite the challenge. By the fourth quarter, Stanford’s defense finally gained the needed momentum for the win.  By the last few minutes, with Stanford leading at 27-24, the crowd had gone wild.  Talk of the Rose Bowl came from all sides.

What a night it was!  We were wet, giddy over the win, and proud of our players.  And so, Stanford is off to the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2013.

PAC-12 Conference Championship Ceremony at Stanford Stadium, Photo Credit (c) Likeitiz

*We had the pleasure of meeting Donna Hogan, Kevin Hogan’s proud mother, at Nettie and Chip Ramsay’s party last October.  They are relatives of Teresa Long, a long-time friend of Nettie’s.  We are so thrilled that Kevin has been given more and more play time.  And now, he has won the MVP award for the PAC-12 Conference.  We are so proud!

See the Stanford Rose Bowl Experience from the Alum site!

Related articles

• Stanford gets by UCLA 27-24, earning a trip to the Rose Bowl (sfgate.com)
• Hogan leads Stanford past UCLA 27-24 to win Pac-12 (cnsnews.com)
• Stanford’s effort recalls Giants’ run (sfgate.com)
• Bowl Projections: Stanford Will Own Nebraska in 2013 Rose Bowl (bleacherreport.com)
• Stanford heads to Rose Bowl after 27-24 win (paloaltoonline.com)