Kiffin reopens QB competition

BOCA RATON — After naming Daniel Parr the starter during the preseason, Florida Atlantic coach Lane Kiffin has reopened the quarterback competition.

Last week Kiffin went with backup Jason Driskel in last week’s loss at Buffalo. Both will compete for the starting job, which Kiffin expects to choose by Wednesday.

“There’s always competition here,” Kiffin said Monday. “We’re always going to play the player that we think is the best at that time. We’ll do the same thing early in this week.”

Parr started three games before being replaced by Driskel. Kiffin said the decision was based on Parr’s struggles the previous week against Bethune-Cookman. Even though the Owls won that game 45-0, the staff felt the passing game was lagging.

Kiffin then decided to make the switch after Driskel had a strong week of practice. Driskel completed 17 of 29 passes for 150 yards and threw an interception but didn’t do enough to solidify himself as the starter.

“He missed some big plays,” Kiffin said. “He’ll be the first person to tell you. … We missed touchdown plays … He managed the game fine as far as getting us in the right plays. He ended the game well … But I think he’d be the first to tell you that he missed some big throws.”

The Owls are in the quarterback situation because onetime expected starter De’Andre Johnson remains sidelined because of blood clots. Johnson is out indefinitely, but Kiffin has yet to rule him out for the season.

Kiffin said running back Gregory Howell Jr. and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair are still battling undisclosed injuries. He listed their status as “day-to-day” and they will be evaluated throughout the week.

Next game: vs. Middle Tennessee State, 7 p.m., WTCN