Elijah Brown Returns as Stanford Quarterback

Freshman quarterback Elijah Brown made a surprising return to Stanford's lineup during a challenging game against SMU, where the Cardinal fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter. Head coach Troy Taylor opted to replace Ashton Daniels with Brown to inject new energy into the offense. Despite a rocky start, including two interceptions, Brown showed moments of promise, completing 16 of 32 passes for 153 yards and one touchdown, leading to a more competitive performance, although Stanford ultimately lost 40-10. Meanwhile, across the country, UCF's head coach Gus Malzahn confirmed that Jacurri Brown would remain the starting QB despite a loss to Iowa State, praising his potential and physical play. Malzahn noted the need for improved offensive balance as the Knights prepare for an upcoming game against undefeated BYU. Both freshman quarterbacks face pressure to develop and lead their respective teams amid challenging circumstances.