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By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA - The decision on a replacement for B.J. Daniels isn't as
clear cut as USF fans might have thought last weekend.
Head coach Skip Holtz said starting quarterback job is up
for grabs during this week's practices and the competition could possibly carry
into next week. Redshirt freshman Matt Floyd again faces off against junior
Bobby Eveld in a battle that's gone on since fall camp when the two were
competing for the backup spot.
"They're rolling about every four plays. We're going to let
them compete this week and the best quarterback is the one that needs to play,"
Holtz said after Tuesday's practice.
Floyd appeared to be USF's top option when he came into
Saturday's 13-6 win over UConn in the fourth quarter after Daniels broke a bone
in his left leg scrambling for yards. Floyd was a part of two drives that led
to field goals and has played in four games this season, but Holtz wants to
make sure he's going with the hottest hand in next Saturday's game at Miami.
"Right now as the head football coach I have the obligation
to put the best people on the field to help us win," Holtz said.
Eveld played a big role in USF's first win over Miami in
2010 but hasn't seen action this season as the coaching staff has pondered the
idea of redshirting him.
"I told him, 'If I could.' I told Lindsey Lamar the same
thing and the next week Marcus Shaw is out four to six weeks with an ankle. We
had to pull (the redshirt) off. There are no guarantees in this game," Holtz
said.
Regardless of which quarterback wins the job, USF knows it
can't be predictable on offense in its pursuit of a bowl bid during the final
three games of the season.
"We can't become one dimensional," Holtz said. "We can't run
the same play over and over and over again because it works once. We have to be
able to mix it up."
Defense Bounces Back
Holtz said USF's ability to get aggressive with play calling
and personnel decisions paved the way for the Bulls' defense turning in a solid
performance against UConn.
USF intercepted its first two passes of the season, forced
three turnovers and registered four sacks in Saturday's victory at Raymond
James Stadium.
"I thought (defensive coordinator) Chris Cosh did a much
better job of mixing it up, putting man coverage in and bringing not just zone
blitzes, but some pressure blitzes," Holtz said. "I think the players kind of
fed off that energy of having an opportunity to play on our toes rather than on
our heels."
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