STANFORD — When Stanford lost its first two games, interim coach Frank Reich told the players to wash away the stench of the loss in the post-game shower and come into the next week with the mentality of starting 1-0.
After the Cardinal won its home and ACC opener last Saturday against Boston College, Reich had the same message – don’t let the result impact the way you prepare for the next game.
“It’s human nature to let up,” senior tight end Sam Roush said. “But we have to make sure that we’re attacking this week the same way we’ve been doing it.”
Stanford (1-2, 1-0) looks to win back-to-back games against FBS opponents for the first time since 2022 when it plays at Virginia (2-1, 0-0) on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on the ACC Network.
Boston College’s VJ Wilkins (21) is tackled by Stanford’s Matt Rose (35) in the third quarter at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
“The first two weeks weren’t our best that we put on tape,” junior safety Jay Green said. “Coming back home and getting a win at home was definitely good for us. And we feel like we can just keep stacking on it week to week.”
While Boston College had to make the cross-country flight last week, this time it will be Stanford making the long trip. Here are the keys for the Cardinal to earn its first road win in three tries.
GET TO THE QB
It will be strength on strength when Stanford’s pass rush, which is tied for 16th in the FBS with nine sacks, goes up against Virginia’s line, which hasn’t allowed a sack all season.
“I think we have really good depth across our front,” Reich said. They push each other to get better.”
Six different players have at least one sack, with Clay Patterson (3) and Hunter Barth (2) leading the team. Patterson had a strip-sack on the Cardinal’s first defensive play of the season.
Stanford defensive lineman Clay Patterson celebrates his sack against BYU during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday Sept. 6, 2025, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Jeffrey D. Allred)
The Cavs are one of five teams that haven’t allowed a sack. UVA offensive line coach Terry Heffernan previously coached at Stanford under David Shaw, and starting right guard Drake Metcalf played at Stanford from 2020-22.
GENERATE BIG PLAYS
Stanford’s offense is still last in the ACC in scoring (53 points in three games) despite two defensive touchdowns. But it did put up a season-high 30 points against BC last week thanks to its first three plays of more than 40 yards, including a 75-yard run by Micah Ford and a 69-yard touchdown catch by Roush.
Ford was named ACC running back of the week after finishing with 157 rushing yards, the most by a Stanford player since Bryce Love (166 in 2017 against Washington State).
“He’s tough to bring down, and he’s been durable, and he just has a 10 out of 10 attitude,” Reich said of Ford.
KEEP DRIVES ALIVE
Those big plays will be even more important because Stanford may struggle to put together long drives.
Virginia enters with the top third-down defense in the country — opponents are just 4-for-34 (12 percent) on third down. Meanwhile, Stanford is next to last in the ACC and 107th in the country in third down conversion percentage (35%).
When the Cardinal does face third down, it will need some key throws from QB Ben Gulbranson, who shook off a rough first two games with an improved performance against the Eagles.
Stanford’s quarterback Ben Gulbranson (15) hands the ball to Stanford’s Micah Ford (20) in the fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Reich said that Gulbranson earned the starting job due to his demeanor and ability to run the offense, but his physical tools are beginning to show as well.
“Ben’s got a strong arm,” Reich said. “He can get the ball down the field. It makes defenses have to cover the whole field. He’s going to continue to grow and be confident.”
SLOW VIRGINIA DOWN
While Stanford’s offense has taken some time to get going, the defense has been solid all season. The Cardinal is allowing 342.3 yards per game, which would be its lowest total since 2014 if it holds up. Stanford also excels in the red zone, allowing TDs on just 5 of 14 trips.
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Next up is a UVA offense that leads the ACC in scoring and total yards, and is coming off one of the most productive games in school history. Last week, the Cavs had a school-record 700 yards of offense against FCS-level William & Mary.
Virginia is incredibly balanced – it’s the only school in the country with 800 yards rushing and 860 yards passing. It also plays at a faster pace than any offense Stanford has faced this season.
“We’re going to have to line up and be tighter in coverage,” Green said.
