Daniels said he’s ready to head home

Posted Sep 20, 2009 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Sep 20, 2009 at 09:00 PM

Since arriving at the University of South Florida last season, B.J. Daniels has been touted as the Bulls’ quarterback of the future.

The future got here a little quicker than expected when senior Matt Grothe suffered a season-ending torn ACL Saturday.

Daniels will make the first start of his USF career Saturday in his hometown of Tallahassee when the Bulls (3-0) visit Florida State (2-1).

“I’m very comfortable,” Daniels said. “I’m from Tallahassee (Lincoln). I will be going back home. The stakes are a little higher, but I’ll go out there and do what I can.”

A redshirt freshman, Daniels has played in USF’s first three games. He’s thrown for 179 yards (completing 12 of 15) and two TDs and rushed for 133 yards on 15 carries with three TDs.

“You can see he can do some electric things with his ability, he’s special,” USF offensive coordinator Mike Canales said. “He’s been training all spring, all fall and had a good camp. Now he’s got to step up and be the guy we expect him to be.

“He really got the extra reps during camp. Obviously it has paid dividends and it’s showed. The big thing is to keep him poised and not let him get over-jacked or excited about going back home playing.”

Daniels and his teammates feel he’s ready.

“B.J. knows he has to step up,” wide receiver Carlton Mitchell said. “We can’t just say we have to think about this loss or that loss, (Grothe’s) our leader, but we have to move on.

“Florida State – FSU that’s a big game, I’m not going to lie. We’re pretty hyped for this one. We’re going to be ready. We’ll go out there with our ‘A’ game hopefully. This will be a pivotal game.”