STANFORD, Calif. (BN24) — Though there’s no trophy like the Axe at stake, Saturday’s clash between Stanford and San Jose State carries a different kind of weight, a renewed local rivalry with deep ties, simmering animosity, and shared history, all colliding once again in the Bill Walsh Legacy Game.
Separated by just 20 miles, the two South Bay programs square off at Stanford Stadium in a meeting filled with regional pride and competitive fire. The matchup dates back to 1900, and between 1948 and 2013, the Cardinal and Spartans faced off almost annually before a decade-long break. That hiatus ended last year when San Jose State stunned Stanford 34-31 in a dramatic finale at CEFCU Stadium. Now, the Cardinals are seeking payback.
“We recognize the history of the rivalry, the significance of it,” said Spartans head coach Ken Niumatalolo. “It means something for our players and our program.”
Stanford wide receiver CJ Williams echoed that sentiment with added urgency. “There’s a sense of animosity and urgency for us to win this game,” Williams said. “Hopefully dominate them this weekend, which I know we can do.”
Stanford (1-3) enters the game trying to recover from a lopsided 48-20 loss at Virginia, where the defense gave up 590 total yards. San Jose State (1-2) is also looking to build momentum after narrowly escaping Idaho with a 31-28 win in which the Vandals controlled possession for over 39 minutes.
Quarterbacks Ben Gulbranson and Walker Eget each turned in improved performances last weekend, offering hope for sharper offensive execution on both sides. Gulbranson, who transferred from Oregon State, passed for 286 yards and two touchdowns against Virginia, showing off a high-arcing deep ball that resulted in a pair of long completions to standout receiver Bryce Farrell.
Farrell, emerging as Stanford’s top receiving threat, posted 135 yards on just four catches last week. “He’s really developing into a complete receiver,” head coach Frank Reich said.
Meanwhile, Eget showed command of the Spartans’ offense, throwing for 222 yards and leading five second-half scoring drives. “He had a different look in his eye,” said SJSU offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann. “The first two games, he was kind of searching… but last week, he found it.”
San Jose State receiver Danny Scudero has quickly become one of the nation’s most dangerous threats. The Sacramento State transfer ranks second nationally in receiving yards per game (126.3) and is eighth in receptions (7.3 per game). The Spartans have also occasionally deployed freshman backup QB Tama Amisone in short-yardage packages, using his speed as a change-of-pace weapon.
Stanford’s defense, solid through the early part of the season, faltered in Charlottesville. Defensive lineman Zach Buckey admitted the unit took the performance personally. “We have a chip on our shoulder,” Buckey said. “We did a lot of introspection.”
For Buckey, Saturday’s game is also personal. His father, Jeff Buckey, played offensive line at Stanford during Bill Walsh’s second stint as head coach in the early 1990s. Walsh, who also coached at San Jose State and led the San Francisco 49ers to three Super Bowl titles, is honored through this annual matchup.
“Growing up, Coach Walsh was always the coaching legend in my house,” Buckey said. “To win this Bill Walsh Legacy Game and bring the trophy back would be a full-circle moment for our family.”
Stanford holds a commanding 52-15-1 lead in the all-time series. Still, the recent trend favors San Jose State, which has won the last two meetings, including a 2022 upset over Oregon State with Gulbranson under center, a game that featured a crucial pick-six by DJ Harvey.
The rivalry, while overshadowed by other matchups like Stanford-Cal and San Jose State-Fresno State, still stirs passions. Saturday marks just the second meeting in over a decade, but the schools are set to face off four more times over the next 10 seasons — including a game at CEFCU Stadium in 2026.
And for players like CJ Williams, who transferred in with no historical baggage, the stakes are quickly becoming clear.
“There’s fuel in that fire,” Williams said. “We take a lot of pride in pushing guys around, especially ones we think we’re better than. Physically, mentally, athletically. So yeah, we want to go show them who the better team is.”
Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PT at Stanford Stadium, with broadcast coverage on the ACC Network. For Stanford, it’s a chance at redemption. For San Jose State, it’s an opportunity to solidify its standing in a rivalry long dominated by its more prominent neighbor. Either way, this South Bay showdown promises to deliver more than just a game.
