Stanford axe stare down

BearFacts
Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:26:51 +0000

“The Stanford Axe is transferred at the Big Game during what is known as “The Stare Down.” With two minutes remaining in the Big Game, the Stanford Axe is brought to the 50 yard line, where the UC Rally Committee and the Stanford Axe Committee wait until the end of the game to determine who will take the Axe. Once the game ends, the winner of Big Game takes possession of the Axe until the next Big Game is played.”

This thing looks so corny or seems like showing some inferiority complex (we all got rejected by S).
What if those Cal students (i bet they’re humanity majors) say “Stanford can keep the axe forever” and simply walk away?