By the Numbers: Daniels’ Up-and-Down Ride

Posted Dec 5, 2009 by Scott Carter

Updated Dec 5, 2009 at 01:20 PM

USF freshman QB B.J. Daniels is making his ninth career start tonight at Connecticut, and if his first eight starts are any indication, Daniels must play well for the Bulls to have any shot at victory.

Daniels is 4-4 since replacing Matt Grothe as the Bulls’ starting QB, winning at Florida State and Syracuse, and at home against West Virginia and Louisville. Daniels lost at home to Cincinnati and Miami, and on the road at Pittsburgh and Rutgers.

Here is a look at Daniels by the numbers:

In 4 wins: 100.8 yards rushing per game (69 rushes-403 yards, 2 TDs, 5.8 per carry); 239.8 yards passing (53-101-959 yards, 8 TDs, 2 INTs)
In 4 losses: 43.5 yards rushing (63-174, 1 TD, 2.8 per carry); 117.0 yards passing (32-73-468 yards, 2 TDs, 7 INTs)

As you can see, there is a drastic difference in Daniels’ performance in wins and losses. Offensive coordinator Mike Canales spoke this week about how much of his job this season has been teaching Daniels the ups and downs of playing QB at this level.

“He’s growing up as a young man,’’ Canales said. “He’s turning from a young, 18-, 19-year-old kid into a young man. He is learning what life is all about. We talk a lot about it. We’ve talked to his folks about it. His folks said this is the best thing that could ever have happened to B.J. He’s getting to learn what life is really about. It’s going to be like this in life, in everything. You are going to have ups and downs.’’

In a few hours we’ll see whether today was an up day or down day for the young QB.