Kevin Moen called me Saturday. In the course of our conversation, he said he had doubts about me when I first called several years ago to interview him for what became 5 Laterals and a Trombone. I said I had played in the Stanford band (although I had graduated in June 1982, so I wasn't there that fateful day). In Saturday's conversation, he told me, he is the biggest advocate for the book because I told the full compelling story, without bias, of what happened on 11/20/82 (43 years ago exactly as I write).

I texted Ron Rivera yesterday. He wrote one of the forwards for my book. (John Elway wrote the other.) I recalled how he was a Stanford recruit at the 1979 Big Game game. If Ron Coccimiglio hadn't knocked down Stanford's end zone pass at the end of the game, Ron might have ended up going to Stanford. (I tell that story in the book.)

Joe Starkey provided a back cover blurb.

The book is a great read for any fan of the Big Game, but Cal fans will especially like the ending.

I need to read your book! Thank you for posting.

I recently confirmed that my sister went on one date with Kevin Moen. That's so cool!

She also graduated spring '82, and thanks to her, I attended my first live Cal game on November 20, 1982. This high school junior was forever changed by this experience. The Play and my sister's friends and post-game party five doors up from the stadium were what cemented my desire to attend Cal. Didn't apply to any other schools. I was laser focused on Berkeley.

Oh what a bonanza!

Go Bears!

PS I just ordered the book from Walden Pond in Oakland. Thanks for posting and reminding me!!

I've read the book and it is very well written, entertaining and informative. And of course I can never get tired of the ending.

It's a great read. On a related topic, Gary Tyrrell has yet to make his annual appearance on the board to send regards from Furdland. Anyone know his whereabouts?

Happy 43rd Anniversary of The Play @GaryTyrrell pic.twitter.com/ID0GftGNpC

— Will (@KoreAmBear) November 20, 2025

Reddit posted a thread about the Anniversary of the Play today:

just incase you want some new old takes :P

https://old.reddit.com/r/CFB/comments/1p29a3g/on_this_day_in_1982_cal_beat_stanford_with_the/

An excellent read for those who have not read the book.

To quote Amy Trask, "Hi."

Tell The Whole Damn World pre-Big-Game podcast

(Notice Tyler's book over my shoulder)

Needs to be repeated...

Alright here we go with the kick-off. Harmon will probably try to squib it and he does. Ball comes loose and the Bears have to get out of bounds. Rogers along the sideline, another one...they're till in deep trouble at midfield, they tried to do a couple of....the ball is still loose as they get it to Rogers. They get it back to the 30, they're down to the 20...Oh the band is out on the field!! He's gonna go into the endzone!!! He got into the endzone!! [voice quite hoarse at this point] Will it count? The Bears have scored [CANNON GOES OFF] but the bands are out on the field.

There were flags all over the place. Wait and see what happens; we don't know who won the game. There are flags on the field. We have to see whether or not the flags are against Stanford or Cal. The Bears may have made some illegal laterals. It could be that it won't count. The Bears, believe it or not, took it all the way into the endzone. If the penalty is against Stanford, California would win the game. If it is not, the game is over and Stanford has won. We've heard no decision yet. Everybody is milling around on the [crowd and Joe getting very, very loud now] FIELD!!! AND THE BEARS!!! THE BEARS HAVE WON!!! THE BEARS HAVE WON!!! Oh my God, the most amazing, sensational, traumatic, heart rending... exciting thrilling finish in the history of college football! California has won...the Big Game...over Stanford. Oh excuse me for my voice, but I have never, never seen anything like it in the history of I have ever seen any game in my life! The Bears have won it! There will be no extra point!

Tyler Bridges said:

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Kevin Moen called me Saturday. In the course of our conversation, he said he had doubts about me when I first called several years ago to interview him for what became 5 Laterals and a Trombone. I said I had played in the Stanford band (although I had graduated in June 1982, so I wasn't there that fateful day). In Saturday's conversation, he told me, he is the biggest advocate for the book because I told the full compelling story, without bias, of what happened on 11/20/82 (43 years ago exactly as I write).

I texted Ron Rivera yesterday. He wrote one of the forwards for my book. (John Elway wrote the other.) I recalled how he was a Stanford recruit at the 1979 Big Game game. If Ron Coccimiglio hadn't knocked down Stanford's end zone pass at the end of the game, Ron might have ended up going to Stanford. (I tell that story in the book.)

Joe Starkey provided a back cover blurb.

The book is a great read for any fan of the Big Game, but Cal fans will especially like the ending.

---

No spoilers please!

I bought 3 or 4 copies of the book last year. They were great Christmas presents.

thanks. liked the book too, checked out from a south bay public library.
late confidential to Will.. glad to have met you and yours, loong ago, on the occasion of RB visit (as Cupertino Jay)

Great Stuff!

Personally, I am partial to the first chapter. That's definitely the best chapter. Congrats on the great book Tyler.

Anyone who wants a signed copy can order one directly from me at https://www.tylerbridges.com/

Tyler Bridges said:

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Anyone who wants a signed copy can order one directly from me at https://www.tylerbridges.com/

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Dang, wish I saw that!

Just picked up my copy from the bookstore tonight. I've become friends with one of the employees and when I said, "This was my first Cal game in person," he couldn't believe it! Dumb luck of a high school junior.

Anyway, thanks again for posting and I'm really looking forward to the read. Oh and writing the book too!