Stanford will have a new starting quarterback Saturday as it seeks to avoid going winless on the road for the first time since 2002.
The Cardinal (3-6, 2-4 ACC) is replacing sixth-year signal caller Ben Gulbranson with redshirt freshman Elijah Brown when it faces North Carolina and defensive mastermind Bill Belichick.
“Obviously a tough decision because Ben’s done some really good things this year,” interim coach Frank Reich said. “And we know that some of the struggles that we’ve had, certainly not all on the quarterback. But we are going to make that transition and Elijah will be the starter.”
The Cardinal hopes the change will provide a jolt to an offense that is last in the ACC in scoring (17.8) and passing efficiency (120.1). Gulbranson has thrown 10 interceptions, the second-most in the country behind FAU’s Caden Veltkamp (11), who has thrown 84 more passes.
“Some of those (interceptions) are on Ben, but honestly, they’re not all on Ben,” Reich said. “Quarterback’s a complicated position. Ben’s had some epic games and put us in a position where we can still achieve some of the goals that we have in front of us, with some of the wins that he’s helped lead us to. So I don’t want to diminish the contribution that Ben has made to this team and can continue to make to the team in a backup role.”
Gulbranson threw for 444 yards, the third-most in a game in program history, in a comeback win over San Jose State on Sept. 27. But he injured his knee on Oct. 18 against Florida State. He’s gone 26 for 51 passing for 278 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions in two games since then.
Though UNC (3-5, 1-3) has been disappointing in Belichick’s college debut, that’s mainly because of its own offensive struggles. The Tar Heels’ defense is in the top half of the conference in points and yards allowed, and could provide a tough challenge for Brown.
“They could do something radically different,” Reich said. “They could come up with a game plan for your specific offensive scheme that’s a lot different than what you may think.”
Brown made one start last year against Wake Forest but was pulled in the first half after going 5 of 9 for 24 yards and an interception.
Still, the four-star recruit from Southern California was the presumed starter heading into the season after Ashton Daniels, last year’s starter, transferred to Auburn and early enrollee Bear Bachmeier transferred to BYU.
But Gulbranson came in from Oregon State after spring camp and got the nod due to his experience.
Now it’s Brown’s turn to jumpstart an offense that hasn’t recovered from losing almost its entire receiving corps and offensive line from last season to the transfer portal.
Brown has been extremely hit-or-miss this season. He led a 94-yard touchdown drive against Florida State and a 97-yard touchdown drive last week against Pittsburgh. But in the other possessions with him at quarterback, the team had 21 yards on 11 plays against the Panthers, and 33 yards on 15 plays against the Seminoles.
He still has two dynamic weapons at his disposal in receiver CJ Williams and tight end Sam Roush. Williams ranks in the top 10 in the ACC in all three major receiving categories: receptions (fifth at 47), yards (sixth at 598), and touchdowns (tied for 10th at four).
Roush ranks second in the ACC and sixth in FBS in receptions by a tight end (37) and leads all ACC tight ends in receiving yards with 409.
Roush expects the offense to be even more motivated by the chance to face a Hall of Fame coach known for his defensive game plans.
“It’s pretty cool,” Roush said. “He’s obviously a legendary coach. One of the greatest to ever do it. I never would have thought that I’d be playing him in college. It’s going to add a little extra juice to the game. Obviously super excited for that opportunity to play against him.”