BYU Football Opponent Preview: Stanford Prepares For 2025 With Interim Coach
May 13, 2025, 7:30 AM | Updated: 7:48 am
PROVO, Utah – For the first time in 22 years, BYU football will host the Stanford Cardinal in Provo.
Stanford’s only previous visit to LaVell Edwards Stadium was in 2003. That changed this year, when BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe moved around a future 2031 date with the Cardinal to the 2025 season so the Cougars could have a Power Four opponent in nonconference play.
The game will occur during week two of the college football season on Saturday, September 6.
Stanford leads the all-time series over BYU, 2-1.
BYU’s lone victory against the Cardinal was in their last regular season game as an FBS Independent in 2022. Kalani Sitake’s program defeated Stanford 35-26 in what ended up being former Stanford coach David Shaw’s final game on “The Farm.” He resigned immediately after that game.
Here are three things to know about the Stanford Cardinal in 2025.
Frank Reich will be the Stanford Interim Head Coach in 2025
Stanford parted ways with head coach Troy Taylor in March after reports that Taylor bullied and belittled female athletic staffers. Taylor has responded, stating that the firing occurred “without cause.”
It’s a messy situation for a program that was one of the nation’s best in the 2010s.
The man looking to get the Cardinal back as one of the nation’s best is a Stanford legend, Andrew Luck.
Luck, the former star signal-caller who kicked Stanford’s dynasty in the 2010s into high gear, holds the newly created role of General Manager at his alma mater.
Full steam ahead 🔋 pic.twitter.com/xm0MIZFpE0
— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) April 2, 2025
He decided to part ways with Taylor this past spring.
Instead of rushing to find a permanent head coach, Luck dialed up one of his old NFL coaches, former Colts and Panthers head coach Frank Reich.
Reich will be the Stanford interim head coach for the 2025 season.
“I am thrilled to be working with Andrew again to help take an important step in establishing his vision for the Stanford Football program,” said Reich. “Andrew is an elite leader and competitor, and those traits, along with his genuine passion for this university, resonated in every way and inspired me to accept this role. The unique responsibility to mentor the best student-athletes in the world, to be the absolute best in what they aspire to do, is an opportunity I will fully embrace.”
The two insisted that the move would only be for this year, even if the Cardinals improve from last year’s 3-9 record during their debut season in the ACC.
Dismissing Taylor as head coach led to additional players departing the Stanford program in the spring.
Some of these departures resulted in gains for BYU as the Cougars added former Stanford signee Nusi Taumoepeau. Then, earlier this month, BYU landed Stanford transfers Tiger Bachmeier (WR) and Bear Bachmeier (QB).
Open quarterback competition; improved talent at running back
Stanford’s offense last year was 106th nationally, scoring 22.8 points per game in 2024. The unconventional offense led by quarterback Ashton Daniels had to reset. Daniels, who led the Cardinal in passing and rushing yards last year, is off to Auburn.
The question now is who will start at quarterback for Stanford in 2025?
Stanford faithful would probably love to bring Andrew Luck out of retirement, as he was taking QB snaps during spring ball to help with practice. But that’s not an option.
The contenders look to be returning lettermen Elijah Brown and Myles Jackson–both went through spring practices.
Since Stanford’s spring practices concluded, they have added two transfers in Ben Gulbranson (Oregon State) and Dylan Rizk (UCF). BYU saw Rizk in action last year in the fourth quarter during their win over UCF in Orlando.
#GoStanford 🌲 pic.twitter.com/hnb1aioqkT
— DYLAN RIZK (@dylanrizk11) April 25, 2025
Stanford is looking for increased production at running back this season.
Last year, no running backs scored rushing touchdowns for the Cardinal. All 11 rushing touchdowns were from quarterbacks a season ago.
The top running back looks to be sophomore Micah Ford. In his true freshman campaign last season, Ford rushed for 309 yards on 76 attempts.
Stanford also brought in Eastern Washington transfer Tuna Altahir, who ran for 718 yards for the Eagles in the FCS in 2024.
Scotty Edwards is a key player on Stanford’s defense
Stanford finished last in defense during their debut season in the ACC. The Cardinal allowed 33.7 points per game last season.
However, one of the bright spots in a tough year defensively is former Olympus High star Scotty Edwards. The Salt Lake City native finished second in tackles last year for Stanford with 80.
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Edwards is back and one of Stanford’s top safeties in 2025.
Stanford had a big hit in the transfer portal, losing their leader in sacks, David Bailey. Big 12 offenses must deal with Bailey this fall as he transferred to Texas Tech.
The Cardinal’s returning leader in sacks is former four-star linebacker recruit Tevaura Tafiti.
Stanford also brings back its leader in interceptions from last year, Collin Wright, who had three picks in 2024.
BYU vs. Stanford
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Venue: LaVell Edwards Stadium
Location: Provo, Utah
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
