Stanford Cardinal quarterback Elijah Brown (2) has been named the starting quarterback and will be under center against the UNC Tar Heels in Chapel Hill NC on Sat Nov 8, 2025 (Sports Illustrated file photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 Stanford Cardinal (3-6) head coach Frank Reich has benched first string quarterback Ben Gulbranson after having the Cardinal have lost their last four games and replaced him with second stringer Elijah Brown who came in for Gulbranson in the Cardinal’s last game against the Pitt Panthers (7-2) last Sat Nov 1st as Pitt came away with a 35-20.

#2 The Cardinal are last of the 17 teams in the ACC in points per game with 17.8 and rank 16th in yards per game with at 307.1.

#3 Coach Reich mentioned that this was a tough decision and that Gulbranson had done some good things and that he doesn’t put all of the blame on Gulbranson but he said a change had to be made and this was the best decision for the team.

#4 Reich mentioned that Gulbranson has thrown ten interceptions and had completed only 56.9% of his passes for 1813 yards. Reich is looking for improvement in those numbers and hopes to get it from Brown.

#5 The Cardinal are at UNC to face head coach Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels. UNC snapped a four game losing streak with a win against the Syracuse Orange last Saturday 27-10. This one is one the road can Brown deliver against UNC this Saturday?

Michael Roberson does the Stanford Cardinal podcasts each Wednesday/Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com