Gators’ McElwain considers change for QBs rotation
Coach says Grier might start
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida coach Jim McElwain is considering flipping his quarterback rotation this week.
McElwain said Monday that starting redshirt freshman Will Grier and bringing sophomore Treon Harris off the bench is “something we talked about” as the Gators (1-0) prepare for East Carolina (1-0).
Harris and Grier were nearly flawless in the opener, a 61-13 victory against New Mexico State.
Harris started and completed 14 of 19 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns. Grier finished 16of-18 passing for 166 yards and two scores. Grier added 43 yards rushing and a touchdown but also fumbled.
“I think both guys played well, both guys had mistakes,” McElwain said. “But that’s part of playing, that’s part of learning. ... We’ll kind of look at that and I’ll let you know. But we’ll play both like we did last week. I’m sure it will be similar.”
Harris led the Gators to four touchdowns and a field goal in six series. Grier’s six drives ended with four touchdowns and a field goal. He also completed his final 12 passes.
DEVELOPMENTS
Missouri pair ailing: Missouri center Evan Boehm and running back Russell Hansbrough are questionable for Saturday night’s game at Arkansas State.
Boehm and Hansbrough are recovering from right leg injuries from the Tigers’ season-opening victory against Southeast Missouri State.
No. 24 Missouri will have Wesley Leftwich back in the lineup against the Red Wolves in Jonesboro. The senior wide receiver injured a knee in fall camp and missed the opener.
Wildcats’ Wright out: Arizona All-America linebacker Scooby Wright will miss up to a month after undergoing surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee.
Wright was injured in the first quarter of the 22nd-ranked Wildcats’ 42-32 win over Texas-San Antonio on Thursday and tried to come back, but he lasted one play before heading to the bench. The junior spent the second half in street clothes while walking with a cane.
Arizona coach Rich Ro- driguez said Monday that Wright had arthroscopic surgery Saturday to repair a lateral meniscus tear and will miss three to four weeks.
Pitt loses star: Pitt running back James Conner will miss the rest of the 2015 season with an MCL injury, Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi announced Monday.
Conner tore an MCL in the second quarter of Pitt’s 45-37 win against Youngstown State on Saturday.
Conner is the reigning ACC Player of the Year after rushing for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns last season. He had eight carries for 77 yards and two touchdowns in just over one quarter Saturday.
UCLA loses top DL: Defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes is likely to miss the rest of the season after tearing a knee ligament during 13th-ranked UCLA’s 34-16 victory over Virginia on Saturday. Vanderdoes will need surgery, defensive line coach Angus McClure said Monday.
Vanderdoes led UCLA with eight tackles in the opener.
Petrino picks freshman: Coach Bobby Petrino has named freshman Lamar Jackson Louisville’s starting quarterback for the Cardinals’ home opener Saturday against Houston.
Petrino did not name a starter before Saturday’s opener against No. 6 Auburn in Atlanta but gave Jackson most of the snaps over more experienced Will Gardner, Reggie Bonnafon and Kyle Bolin. Jackson was intercepted in his first pass but finished 9 of 20 for 100 yards and led Cardinal rushers with 106 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.
Jackson replaced starter Reggie Bonnafon for good in the second quarter and led the Cardinals back from a 24-point deficit before they lost 31-24.
Rutgers changes QBs: Chris Laviano has been chosen Rutgers’ starting quarterback for Saturday’s game against Washington State.
Coach Kyle Flood announced the decision Monday, choosing Laviano over Hayden Rettig.
“The body of work,” Flood said of what went into the decision. “This process went longer than I expected it to.”
Rettig started the opener against Norfolk State because Laviano was suspended over a curfew violation.