STANFORD — Stanford interim coach Frank Reich said that Ben Gulbranson’s experience played a significant role in winning the starting quarterback job heading into the season opener Saturday at Hawaii.

Gulbranson, who made 11 starts and appeared in 18 games while at Oregon State for five seasons, transferred to Stanford after spring camp.

He beat out redshirt freshman Elijah Brown , a highly touted recruit from Santa Ana’s Mater Dei High who played in three games for the Cardinal last season.

“Ben just did a really good job with the whole thing, good command and mastery of the offense,” Reich said. “A really accurate passer, strong-armed guy that could get the ball to all parts of the field. I thought he had good command and control of decision-making, a good poise in the pocket. S

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