Stanford will try to start 2-0 at home for the first time since 2018 when it hosts San Jose State in a nonconference game on Saturday evening.
The Cardinal (1-3) beat Boston College 30-20 in their lone home game on Sept. 13, but weren’t able to carry that momentum on the road in last week’s 48-20 setback at Virginia.
Stanford has been getting quality play in a few areas. Its defense has already recorded two touchdowns and 10 sacks, Micah Ford has twice rushed for more than 100 yards, and receivers Bryce Farrell and CJ Williams are coming off 100-yard games.
The Cardinal could use a bit more from senior quarterback Ben Gulbranson, an Oregon State transfer who has completed 65 of 113 passes (57.5 percent) for 723 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Gulbranson has been getting advice from Andrew Luck, the former four-time Pro Bowl quarterback and the NFL’s No. 1 overall draft pick out of Stanford in 2012.
Luck was hired to be Stanford’s general manager last November.
“He’s out at practice, not every day, but most days when he can be,” Stanford coach Frank Reich said. “He’ll hop into quarterback drills and help with quarterback drills every now and then, and I know he meets with Ben on a weekly basis.”
The Cardinal will face a San Jose State team that’s coming off a 31-28 win over visiting Idaho last weekend.
The Spartans (1-2) beat Stanford last season in the final regular-season game, 34-31, and they have returned several players from that team, most notably on the defensive side.
“Their linebackers are really good, aggressive players,” Reich said. “Up front, they’re all really active and physical players on their defensive line. And then the secondary, just have good, solid players.”
On the offensive side, Jabari Bates will likely see more playing time after the third-string running back rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown against Idaho.
Danny Scudero caught six passes for 130 yards and a touchdown against the Vandals, giving him 22 catches on the season for 379 yards
“He’s always making guys miss and getting open,” San Jose State quarterback Walker Eget said. “As we’ve seen Danny do before, he makes plays.”
