UPDATE: Stanford’s offense suffered a catastrophic failure in their 27-3 loss to BYU on Saturday night, struggling to gain any momentum until the fourth quarter. The Cardinal, now 0-2 this season, failed to cross the opponent’s 40-yard line until it was nearly too late, leaving fans and analysts questioning the team’s strategy and execution.
During a dismal first half, Stanford managed a mere 20 yards on eight possessions, turning the ball over twice inside BYU territory. Interim coach Frank Reich defended redshirt senior quarterback Ben Gulbranson, stating, “I’m not going to make any quick judgment on this… quarterback play is the byproduct of a lot of things.” However, Reich’s patience may be tested as the team’s struggles continue.
Gulbranson’s performance was marred by critical mistakes, including an interception returned to the Stanford 17-yard line and a fumble at the Stanford 5. The quarterback’s inability to connect with open receivers, such as Myles Libman, raised alarm bells as the Cardinal faced their lowest point total since 2007.
Despite a fourth-quarter field goal, which extended their streak of consecutive games scoring to 187, the team could not find the offensive rhythm needed to secure a win. Gulbranson finished with 142 yards and two interceptions after struggling throughout the game, passing for only 68 yards through the first three quarters.
After the game, Gulbranson took full responsibility, stating, “Obviously this one’s on me, and I just have to be better out there.” This self-reflection highlights the pressure on him to turn the season around as Stanford prepares to face Boston College next week in their home opener.
Reich acknowledged the defensive efforts, noting, “The defense played unbelievable… they gave us every opportunity to be in that game.” Stanford’s defense managed to keep the score manageable despite BYU’s offensive onslaught, which featured a strong performance from former Stanford recruit Bear Bachmeier, who threw for 175 yards.
Looking ahead, the Cardinal must regroup quickly as they enter a stretch of games that includes matchups against Boston College, Virginia, and San Jose State before facing ranked opponents. Reich emphasized the importance of belief and execution, stating, “We’re never going to be OK with losing. We’re here to get better and to win.”
With the stakes rising, Stanford must find a way to ignite its offense and avoid repeating the mistakes of this game. As the team prepares for the upcoming challenges, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if they can rebound from this disheartening defeat.
