BERKELEY, Calif. — When Michael Okwo emerged from the locker room to do post-game interviews after Stanford’s 26-17 loss to California in the 109th Big Game [on Dec. 2, 2006], he was wiping away tears.

“I don’t think I have cried since I was six years old,” the senior linebacker said. “I really didn’t think that it would come out of me. There are a lot of memories that come back. Football is such a big part of our lives that you leave part of yourself behind.”

Okwo and his teammates had something to be proud of in the final game of the season, but even their best performance of the year wasn’t enough to retake the Axe against the No. 21 Bears (9-3, 7-2 Pacific-10 Conference). The Cardinal trailed by just three points midway through the third quarter and its two offensive touchdowns was the most scored in one game in Pac-10 play.

But mistakes haunted the Cardinal (1-11, 1-8) as they had all season. As the defense had undoubtedly its strongest outing of the season, Stanford’s offense failed to capitalize on opportunities throughout the game.

“Everyone was locked in and ready to leave it all on the field,” Okwo said. “That’s exactly what we came out and did. We were ready to celebrate. At the end, we felt like we deserved to celebrate on their field. But we just couldn’t get it done.”

The biggest blow to Stanford’s chances came early in the fourth quarter. Trailing 23-17, Okwo stripped the ball away from Cal tailback Marshawn Lynch at the Bears’ 14-yard line. But Stanford couldn’t capitalize as the Cardinal moved the ball just two yards before attempting a 29-yard field goal. Sophomore Aaron Zagory’s attempt sailed wide left and the Cardinal came away empty-handed.

“We were unable to execute during that three-play series and missed the field goal, as well,” Stanford head coach Walt Harris said. “When you look back at the game, there were a lot of really good plays by our offense, defense and special teams. Unfortunately, that wasn’t a really good series for us.”

Stanford got the ball back later in the quarter, but again couldn’t move the ball. Cal kicked a field goal on their final possession to put the game out of reach.

While the Cardinal failed to take advantage of a Cal turnover, the Bears were quick to capitalize when Stanford coughed up the ball. Late in the second quarter, Ostrander dropped back to hand the ball off to freshman running back Toby Gerhart from the Stanford 20-yard line. But Ostrander never had a good grip on the ball, it popped loose and Cal cornerback Syd’Quan Thompson scooped it up and took it in for a touchdown.

“I don’t think anybody is totally satisfied with our effort today,” junior quarterback T.C. Ostrander said. “Yeah, we can see that there has been improvement, but we had a chance. We had a chance, so we’re disappointed.”

The offense did have some big moments, including a beautiful 51-yard, one-handed touchdown reception to senior receiver Evan Moore early in the third quarter. The score cut Cal’s advantage to 20-17, but the Cardinal could never take the lead.

The Cardinal’s first trip to the endzone came in the closing minutes of the first half, when Ostrander found freshman receiver Richard Sherman on a slant route for an eight-yard touchdown toss. Sherman beat Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year Daymeion Hughes on the score.

Ostrander finished the game with 204 yards through the air to go along with the two touchdown passes. Sherman led the Stanford receiving corps with 81 yards.

“I’m pretty sure that this is the most success we’ve had moving the ball down the field in a while,” Ostrander said. “I thought a lot of our guys — all of our guys — played with a lot of heart and played really well. I thought the line stepped up big-time, and I’m proud of them for that.”

The defensive line also played well, limiting Lynch to only 67 yards on the ground. The Cardinal also tagged Cal quarterback Nate Longshore for a pair of sacks.

“We came out here and said, ‘Don’t give them an inch, and let’s execute,’” senior safety Trevor Hooper said. “I really felt in my heart that the guys were out there doing that. I am very proud of this football team. Very proud of them.”

But Cal found an offensive weapon in a familiar place — with receiver DeSean Jackson. The sophomore recorded his fourth 100-yard receiving game of the season with 127 yards on seven receptions.

The victory was Cal’s fifth consecutive Big Game win. The Cardinal has not won since a 35-28 victory in 2001.

While the game concluded the season for the Cardinal, the Bears head to San Diego for the Holiday Bowl. Cal will face Texas A&M Dec. 28 at Qualcomm Stadium.