Stanford Axe Cuts Two Ways : Pacific 10: The Cardinal’s 29-24 victory over Cal in the Big Game leaves Bears’ Coach Gilbertson facing the chop.

Upon closer examination, there were seagulls circling the Stanford Stadium scoreboard at game’s end, the buzzards apparently still unaware of California Coach Keith Gilbertson’s whereabouts.

Stanford got the axe Saturday, the Big Game symbol of success with a 29-24 victory before 72,893, but later this week Cal administrators are expected to make cuts within the Bear football program, beginning with the head man.

“I’d like to confess I had a part in the Kennedy assassination,” Gilbertson said earlier this week when hounded by the speculation of his impending dismissal. “And the earthquake was my fault, the fires, the feasts and the famine.”

After finishing 9-4 in 1993 with an appearance in the Alamo Bowl, Cal has gone 7-15, including this year’s 3-8 belly flop that left Gilbertson and his players referring to his role in the past tense.

“I told the players they have been a pleasure to coach,” said Gilbertson, who has three years remaining on his Cal contract. “I told the younger players they have a good chance of being a good football team next year.”

A year after losing the Big Game to Cal, Bill Walsh offered similar comments to his players before stepping down to be replaced by Tyrone Willingham, who boosted the Cardinal to 7-3-1 and a possible bowl visit.

“We came here today with three objectives,” Willingham said. “First, to win the game. Second, to get the Axe back. And third, to go bowling.”

The Axe, a plaque traditionally closely guarded to prevent the school that doesn’t have it from swiping it, had belonged to Cal the past two years.

“It means everything,” said Mark Harris, the Stanford senior wide receiver who caught a game-clinching seven-yard touchdown pass. “It’s history. It’s James Lofton and John Elway going all out to win the Axe.

“Someone bought the Axe years ago and hacked the head off a Bear, and thus the rivalry. I can’t tell you how excited and happy this game makes me feel.”

Stanford, playing with the incentive of having to win to remain under bowl consideration, could not shake the Bears, who were going to pack away the football gear until next year.

The Cardinal went up, 3-0, and Cal tied the game. Stanford moved in front, 10-3, on running back Greg Comella’s three-yard run, and Cal came back with quarter-back Pat Barnes throwing a 23-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez. Running back Mike Mitchell, who would finish with 146 yards in 26 carries, nudged Stanford ahead, 17-0, and Cal responded with Reynard Rutherford’s one-yard touchdown run.

Mitchell opened the fourth quarter with a five-yard run for a touchdown and senior kicker Eric Abrams then clunked an extra-point attempt wide right off the upright. Stanford had the 23-17 lead, but Gilbertson had the chance to win the Big Game for the third consecutive year--something Cal hadn’t done since 1958-1960.

But then it has been that kind of year for Cal Gonzalez, one of the top players on Cal’s basketball team, caught a 14-yard pass and fumbled. Stanford cornerback Kwame Ellis recovered, and Gilbertson looked to the heavens.

Stanford took advantage of the turnover at the Cal 29-yard line, scoring three plays later with quarterback Mark Butterfield throwing to Harris to jump ahead, 29-17. Cal ran nine plays, Barnes completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Na’il Benjamin and, after Ryan Longwell’s successful PAT, the seagulls began to circle.

“I read everything so I know everything you SOBs have said about me,” Gilbertson said after an emotional meeting with his team. “And someday I will get back at you because I know where every one of you live.”