Big Game: Jaydn Ott Says Cal Had Extra Motivation to Beat Stanford

Ex-Cardinal lineman Barrett Miller told the Bears that Stanford doesn't view the Big Game as quite as special as Cal does.

There was enough tangible motivation for Cal entering the 126th Big Game, starting with staying in contention for bowl eligibility.

But after carrying the ball a career-high 36 times for 166 yards and a touchdown in Cal’s 27-15 victory, sophomore Jaydn Ott said teammate Barrett Miller — a former Stanford player — provided the Bears with an additional emotional edge.

“Players like Barrett, that have been on the other side . . . they kind of taught us what’s going on over here at Stanford, about how they look down upon us,” Ott said. “So that just fueled us going into this game. Made us want to come out and throw the first punch.”

Miller played four seasons at offensive guard for Stanford, then transferred to Cal last spring and became a fixture at left tackle.

He acknowledged the Big Game rivalry is different from the Cal point of view than what remembers from his Stanford days.

“At Stanford all four years we had a couple big games with Cal but we always played Notre Dame. That’s something we always looked forward to,” Miller said. “So it’s like, `Cal or Notre Dame.’ I know here at Cal, we’ve got Stanford and that’s the one and only (big game).

“At Stanford, `We have so many.’ It’s hard to really say who’s our rival at that point. But here it’s Stanford, no matter what. That type of juice is what I gave the team.”

Ott had plenty of juice, assembling his fifth game this season with at least 150 rushing yards. It was his seventh career 100-yard outing.

Asked how he felt after carrying the ball more times than ever had even in high school, Ott joked, “I’m so tired that I’d rather be on the bus right now.”

Along with his two receptions, Ott wound up handling the ball on 38 of Cal’s 84 plays.

“We knew we wanted to get Jaydn the ball,” coach Justin Wilcox said. “He was ready for it. He welcomes that. He’s a talented guy. He makes a lot of things happen. 

"I’m proud of him.”

Redshirt freshman Fernando Mendoza talks about the impact Ott has on him and the entire offense in the video above.

Ott is now an old hand in the Big Game, having gained 148 yards rushing and receiving a year ago. That adds up to 337 yards from scrimmage in two years.

He understands this is not just any game, but has deep meaning for the campus and Old Blues. Cal’s fans were substantially louder than their hosts in Stanford Stadium on Saturday and Ott feels the need to represent them.

“A lot of people have been a part of this game. We’ve got grown men coming down on the field crying real tears,” he said. “So it means a lot. I got to see it last year so I knew coming into the game how much it meant to people.”

In 22 career games, Ott’s 2,079 rushing yards rank 13th on Cal’s all-time list. The Pac-12 rushing leader, he has 1,182 yards this season.

Ott is respectful of the great backs that have preceded him at Cal, and says they provide their own motivation.

“It’s an honor to play at the same school those guys played at,” he said. “In the running back room we have a bunch of their jerseys. Every time we come in to our meeting in the morning that’s kind if our motivation, that’s our standard.

“Seeing that, it prepares us for practice, gets us in the right mindset, and step up to the plate and do what some of those guys have done.”

The Bears need a win next Saturday against UCLA at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena to reach six victories and bowl eligibility. Ott promised he and his teammates will bring the same passion they displayed in this one.

“I know the whole team wants it,” he said. “We came out here ready to punch them in the mouth and we’re going to do the same thing next week.”

Cover photo of Jaydn Ott by Robert Edwards, USA Today

Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo