After months of competition, Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel will each have 15 minutes to earn the starting quarterback job. The sophomores remain in a dead heat.
“[UF offensive coordinator Brent Pease] and I, right now, plan to play one in the first quarter — we haven’t made that decision yet — and another in the second quarter,” coach Will Muschamp said. “Then, at halftime, (we will) make a decision on how we move forward.”
After suffering a left shoulder contusion during practice on Aug. 12, Driskel earned clearance for contact from team doctors on Sunday. With both quarterbacks healthy, the competition will carry into the regular season.
Despite the uncertainty under center, Muschamp is comfortable with Florida’s quarterback situation.
“Both guys are good players,” Muschamp said. “I have said it before, we’re not overly concerned with the quarterback position and the talent we have there.”
Depth Chart: Along with quarterback, cornerback remains an undecided position battle.
“Cornerback, again, those will all be gameday decisions,” Muschamp said Friday. “We’ve got some guys playing at a high level, but as much nickel and dime as we play, they’re all starters to me.”
Mack Brown was named Mike Gillislee’s primary backup, but several players are expected to receive carries out of the backfield against Bowling Green.
“Mack’s a guy that I think has had a good camp,” Muschamp said. “He’ll play definitely Saturday. Matt Jones will also play in that role as well. Omarius Hines could see some opportunities. Chris Johnson, depending on how things are going.”
Darrin Kitchens will start ahead of Neiron Ball at Sam linebacker on Saturday. Ball has been dealing with an unspecified ankle injury recently, but he will play in the opener.
Injuries: According to Muschamp, De’Ante Saunders will likely miss the Gators’ first two games due to a hamstring injury.
“He’ll sit the first two games right now,” Muschamp said. “He’s got a hamstring, probably wouldn’t be able to go the first game at least, anyways.”
Muschamp did not mention Saunders in his initial injury report.
Saunders started nine games as a freshman. He was arrested for marijuana possession in May 2011 and did not dress against Alabama last season due to a violation of team rules.
Offensive lineman Matt Patchan will miss Saturday’s game against the Falcons after straining a pectoral muscle on Aug. 18.
Cornerback Jeremy Brown will have his right wrist reevaluated today. Brown had surgery on his wrist on July 18.
Like Patchan, Brown has also dealt with significant injury during his time in Gainesville. Brown sat out both the 2008 and 2009 seasons with back problems and missed last year due to a knee injury.
Contact Joe Morgan at joemorgan@alligator.org.
