Will Muschamp didn’t want to name a starting quarterback following Saturday’s win against Bowling Green, but he decided to end the speculation on Monday by naming Jeff Driskel his starter.
“It’s been a lifelong dream,” Driskel said. “Obviously to be the quarterback at a university like this is a big achievement, but I’m just excited to really be able to take command of the offense. To really hone in on what I got to do and be ready to go to win in Texas A&M.”
Muschamp said the decision was not based solely on the quarterbacks’ play against Bowling Green but rather a complete evaluation of everything they had done since spring practices.
While players and coaches maintained throughout spring and fall that Driskel and Jacoby Brissett were even in the quarterback competition, Muschamp said he does not plan to pull his starter as soon as something goes wrong.
“It will be Jeff’s game to play,” Muschamp said of Saturday’s Southeastern Conference opener against Texas A&M.
“I told Jeff, ‘I don’t want you looking over your shoulder, but you need to play well.’”
Even though Driskel won’t be on a short leash, Muschamp said he has stressed to Brissett the importance of being able to go in at a moment’s notice, adding that Brissett is “one play away” from being the starter.
“Jacoby will still get reps,” Muschamp said. “He’ll be repped at practice and certainly will be ready when called on. I just feel like we needed to get to the turns and reps and the snaps as we move forward.”
Driskel was at the helm for the entire second half against the Falcons after playing the Gators’ first two drives. He finished the game 10 of 16 for 114 yards and a touchdown. Brissett played most of the second quarter, completing 3 of 5 passes for 31 yards in three drives.
Although Muschamp expressed confidence in the team’s chances to win with either quarterback, he said Driskel’s ability to make plays running the ball factored into the decision. Against Bowling Green, Driskel carried the ball three times for 24 yards.
“It’s nothing Jacoby didn’t do,” Muschamp said of his decision. “(I) just feel like Jeff with the legs, gives us some different variables in our offense that can help us move forward.”
Driskel made the longest throw of his career when he connected with Frankie Hammond Jr. on a 50-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to extend the Gators’ lead to 10 points. Hammond also praised Driskel’s scrambling skills.
“He brings a lot to the table,” Hammond said. “He’s a versatile quarterback. Things break down in the pocket, he is able to stretch plays, and he can run the ball as well, and that is something defenses will definitely have to respect.”
When asked what areas Driskel could improve after his performance against the Falcons, Muschamp did not offer too many critiques.
“We had the one naked (bootleg) on the goal line and had a chance to get the ball off,” Muschamp said. “We need to get that one off. We had an opportunity to convert that third down and didn’t.
“Other than that, he took the ball to the right spots. He had two drops. Both could have been caught. I think he did some good things, as far as management of what we’re trying to do.”
As Driskel prepares to play at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, on Saturday, he doesn’t expect to be fazed by the crowd of more than 80,000 fans.
His experiences on the road last season have given him a good idea of what to expect.
“That’s definitely going to help,” Driskel said of his freshman season. “We’ve played in atmospheres like we’re going to see in Texas A&M.”
Contact Josh Jurnovoy at jjurnovoy@alligator.org.Jeff Driskel (6) takes a snap in shotgun during Saturdays win against Bowling Green University at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
