Having already lost QB Matt Grothe to a season-ending knee injury, the University of South Florida has enlisted the help of Bulls softball coach Ken Eriksen to make sure B.J. Daniels doesn’t take any unnecessary hits.

“I didn’t want this to get out, but (offensive coordinator Mike) Canales has actually talked to the girls softball coach and he’s trying to help me out with my sliding,” Daniels said. “I haven’t played baseball since the 10th grade, so I kind of lost it and have forgotten how. But they’re trying to get me to do that a little more. Right now, I’m just falling, but they’re trying to get me to slide.”

LANDI TO GET WORK AT RECEIVER: Coach Jim Leavitt admitted Tuesday it was a risky decision, but No. 2 QB Evan Landi will again get reps at receiver during practice.

It’s odd, for sure, considering USF has plenty of talented receivers and Landi is just one play away from becoming the starting quarterback.

“You’re really rolling the dice on that one because who would be our third quarterback?” Leavitt said. “Our third guy would probably be (walk-on Ryan) Eppes, and he’s not ready. … I’d look pretty stupid if (Landi) goes out at receiver and gets hurt at practice, and then they’d say, ‘What did you do that for?’ I wouldn’t be able to answer.”

Landi began the season at receiver and had two receptions for 14 yards before being moved back to quarterback after Grothe’s injury. Landi saw mop-up duty at quarterback in USF’s blowout loss at Pittsburgh.

NO BONANI: Even though Maikon Bonani has resumed kicking at practice, the sophomore who suffered a back injury during the summer at Busch Gardens will not play this season, Leavitt said.