With conference realignment shaking up the sport this season, two surprising additions to the ACC are California and Stanford, long-standing staples of the Pac-12.In Week 13 of the 2024 season, the two West Coast teams renewed their heated rivalry—this time in ACC play—when the Cardinal traveled to Berkeley to face the Golden Bears.

Mendoza triggered a four-play, 82-yard scoring drive with a 50-yard scramble to the Stanford 32 and a penalty against the Cardinal advanced the ball to the 22. His run was the longest by a Cal quarterback in at least 25 years, according to Cal athletics.

Fernando Mendoza threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns, Jonathan Brady had two touchdown catches and the go-ahead score and California rallied to beat Stanford 24-21 in the first Big Game as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.