Before we look ahead to 2014, let’s double dip into the cosmic delight of recent Stanford football success. This Top-10 list is compiled from moments that had memorable amounts of any of three criteria: exhilaration, symbolic achievement, or auspicious potential. This is not a list of the ten best games and is not limited to games that Stanford won. Rather, it is a list of plays and moments that wafted the thrilling smell of success and made me proud to be a fan.

There are a few games noticeably absent from this list, including Stanford’s first BCS win in the Orange Bowl at the end of the 2010 season and Coach David Shaw’s first big win of the post-Luck era against USC in 2012. Also in consideration was the Colorado game in 2012, when Kevin Hogan’s first four drives as Stanford’s quarterback resulted in four touchdowns—the Hogan era was underway. Nonetheless, the list captures many of the great coaches and players who have guided Stanford’s recent success.

#10. Sept 25, 2004: JR Lemon Runs Out the Clock…With an 82-Yard Touchdown. There was still hope for Stanford football at this point in 2004. Stanford was 2-0 and about to take a 4-point lead into halftime against #1 USC. With only a few seconds remaining in the 1st half, JR Lemon took a handoff and went up the middle to run out the clock. Miraculously, he broke through for an 82-yard touchdown. This is the only moment on this list from the Teevens-Harris era, and it is fitting that this electric moment came in a game that Stanford lost. Still, it was one of the most exciting plays in Stanford history. USC 31, Stanford 28.

#9. Sept 25, 2010: Marecic Scores On Two Consecutive Plays. Stanford dominated Notre Dame in South Bend to establish itself as a force in its first year of BCS glory. The highlight of the game was Owen Marecic’s 20-yard pick six in the 4th quarter, which was exactly one play after he scored a touchdown on a 1-yard run. Stanford 37, Notre Dame 14.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5qCdMFHxms

#8. Oct 2, 2010: Can We Start the National Championship Talk? → The Lead That Vanished. After a Chase Thomas interception, Stepfan Taylor took a handoff on the first play of the drive and scampered 44 yards to put Stanford up 21-3 against #4 Oregon in the 1st quarter. For a few minutes, it seemed that undefeated Stanford might clear its biggest hurdle on its quest for the national championship. Unfortunately, the moment didn’t last—Oregon quickly scored and then recovered an onside kick to begin its onslaught. This is truly the one that got away, as Stanford never lost again the entire season. Oregon 52, Stanford 31.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x49Tw5dC5U

#7. Nov 20, 2010: Luck Levels Cal. In one of the most dominating Big Game performances in history, Stanford rolled out to a 45-0 lead. It was the fourth time in 2010 that the Stanford defense held a Pac-12 opponent scoreless for three or more quarters. But the highlight went to Andrew Luck, who knocked over Cal safety Sean Cattouse on a 58-yard run. The 2010 team not only won games—it flattened opponents. Stanford 48, Cal 14.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4_w-puInqY

#6. Oct 29, 2011: Fumble Recovery in the End Zone. Stanford had just won 10 consecutive games by 25 points or more, a new NCAA record. But this USC game was a dogfight that seemed destined to last forever. In the 3rd overtime, Terrence Stevens forced a fumble as Curtis McNeal looked to score, and A.J. Tarpley pounced on the ball to secure the victory. Stanford’s undefeated season was still alive. Stanford 56, USC 48.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr4KDMuwFNw

#5. Nov 30, 2012: Ed Reynolds’ “Pick Six” to the Rose Bowl. UCLA was driving to take a two score lead in the 2nd quarter, but Ed Reynolds picked off Brett Hundley and returned the ball 80 yards. Officials erroneously ruled him down at the one, but the play bookended one of the best seasons ever by a Stanford safety and helped send Stanford to the Rose Bowl. Stanford 27, UCLA 24.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_UoTQ3n_UU (play is at 2:30 mark)

#4. Nov 14, 2009: Going For Two in the “What’s Your Deal?” Game. The week before this USC game, Stanford had just beaten #8 Oregon. Confidence had arrived in full force on the Farm, and this game erased the idea that Stanford’s recent success might be ephemeral. The offensive line and Toby Gerhart were unstoppable. In the 4th quarter, after Gerhart scored on a 6-yard run to put Stanford up 48-21, Harbaugh decided to attempt a two-point conversion. Stanford did not convert the attempt, but USC was nonetheless embarrassed, and Stanford officially had swagger. USC’s streak of seven consecutive BCS bowls and west-coast dominance had come to an end. Stanford 55, USC 21.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeS3VeluAmg

#3. Nov 17, 2012: Redemption for Williamson. In overtime, Stanford kicker Jordan Williamson booted a 37-yard field goal to beat the top-ranked Ducks and give Stanford a clear path to the Rose Bowl. It was a special moment for Williamson, who atoned for the previous season’s Fiesta Bowl meltdown. Stanford 17, Oregon 14.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiiGUovlyJw

#2. Jan 1, 2013: Amanam Comes Up Roses. Stanford’s defense has prided itself for years on having to make one crucial stop to seal the game. Late in the 4th quarter, with Wisconsin potentially driving for a one-point victory, Usua Amanam intercepted Curt Phillips’ pass to secure Stanford’s first Rose Bowl victory in 41 years. Stanford 20, Wisconsin 14.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR86liAlcNE

#1. Oct 6, 2007: Bradford Makes “The Catch.” The Biggest Upset Ever. The Rising from the Dead. Stanford was 41-point underdog to a #2 ranked USC team that had won 35 consecutive home games. Stanford had lost 41-3 the week before, and was starting a reserve quarterback, Tavita Pritchard, who had only thrown three passes in his career. But Stanford’s defense forced 5 turnovers to keep the game close. Stanford was down six points with one last chance for a miracle. On 4th and Goal with 49 seconds remaining, Mark Bradford made a leaping catch in the corner of the end zone, and the story of west coast football in the 21st century was forever changed. (While Bradford’s catch provided the victory moment, Pritchard also completed an equally amazing pass to Richard Sherman on 4th and 20, just inches past the first down marker.) In Jim Harbaugh’s first season, Stanford had begun its resurrection. Stanford 24, USC 23.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j48uQSAKC6k