File:Berkeley - University of California Football.jpg

English: The student section at a University of California football game in Memorial Stadium, in 1961. The marching band is on the field, at halftime. Students in the "card section" are making the word "Cal" with blue and gold cards. The University of California is supposed to have invented the card section, in 1910. The Berkeley Hills are in the background. The stadium is halfway up the hill from the campus. It was built in 1921-1923. California lost this game to Air Force Academy, 15-14, on November 11, 1961.

University of California students were admitted free to football games. Most of the crowd was on the other side, which did not face into the sun. California did not have good football teams at the time, and attendance suffered. The team had a 1-8 record, with one tie in 1961, and a 1-9 record in 1962.

Surprisingly, Cal football of that era had two names that became famous. The coach was Marv Levy, who had considerable success with the Buffalo Bills. The quarterback in 1962 was Craig Morton, who was a star with the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos. He had been a high school phenom, and came into the first game, against Missouri, in the second quarter. He broke the Cal passing record in 2½ quarters, but Missouri won, 21-10. Opponents learned the he was the only offence, and defended accordingly. He regularly threw fast, accurate passes, which receivers dropped.