Starting nod encourages QB Floyd

TAMPA— EarningUSF’s starting quarterback job from coach Willie Taggart was something Matt Floyd had worked for since the end of last season, but the news he got from his team Saturday nightwas just as encouraging.

“It gives me a lot of confidence to see coach Taggart trusts me to take this position, but even more than that though was the fact that I was voted a team captain,” Floyd said. “I didn’t expect that to happen at all. To have that honor voted by the players and my teammates was really cool. That instilled a lot of confidence in me.”

The sophomore is still seeking his first college touchdown — he didn’t have any in 110 pass attempts last year, stepping in after injuries to B. J. Daniels and Bobby

Eveld. What he does have is the trust of his coaches, who in the last four days have talked about how much he’s improved since the spring, emerging as a leader.

“Very even- keeled, has a good demeanor, doesn’t get rattled easy, fun to be around, easy to coach,” was the scouting report Tuesday from USF quarterbacks coach

Nick Sheridan.

Floyd’s legs givehima threat to run or pass, andTaggart said he likes his quarterbacks to be able to pick up at least two first downs a game on running plays.

To that end, Floyd is also learning from another former college quarterback— Taggart passing along his read of a defense to his young passer. “He knows what it’s like to be back there,” Floyd said.

Next game: vs. McNeese State, Saturday, 7 p. m.,

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