South Florida QB poses double threat vs. Pitt
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The combination of second-year coach Skip Holtz, left, and B.J. Daniels has made South Florida the top-ranked Big East team this week at No. 16.
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In his first two seasons as South Florida's quarterback B.J. Daniels was a nightmare for opposing defenses -- at least when he was running.
The bad news for defenses this season, Daniels' third as a starter, is that he has developed as a passer. That means he is now a legitimate two-way threat and one of the most dangerous players in Division I-A.
Without question, stopping Daniels will be Pitt's top priority tonight when the Panthers (2-2) play host to No. 16 South Florida (4-0) in the Big East Conference opener for both teams at Heinz Field.
Pitt's more experienced defenders said they can tell Daniels is a different player just by watching video. They said he makes more plays by dropping back and throwing than he has in the past.
- Matchup: No. 16 South Florida (4-0) vs. Pitt (2-2), 8 p.m. today, Heinz Field. The Bulls are favored by 21/2 points.
- TV, Radio: ESPN; KDKA-FM (93.7).
- Pitt: Leads the series, 5-3. ... Is 2-2 against South Florida in games played at Heinz Field. ... Has won past three games against the Bulls. ... TB Ray Graham leads the Big East in rushing with 127 yards per game. ... Has not been scored on in the first quarter. ... Averages 2.75 sacks per game.
- South Florida: Coach Skip Holtz is 2-1 against Pitt coach Todd Graham. ... Has had five consecutive eight-win seasons. ... Has opened 4-0 five times in its 15-year history, including four of the past five seasons. ... Has scored within the first four minutes of every game this season.
- Hidden stat: Pitt's offensive line has a combined total of 56 starts -- but 29 of them are by Lucas Nix.
"He used to be more of a guy who scrambled and threw the ball," said safety Jarred Holley. "But absolutely [he is a better passer,] you can tell just watching him and he really slings it, when he throws it he can pop-throw it for 80 yards like it is nothing.
"You have to just take each play one at a time. He can be hurtful with his legs and now his arm, [so] you don't want to tease yourself into thinking you know what he's going to do. We just have to be disciplined and stay in coverage until the whistle blows."
The change in Daniels, a redshirt junior, is easy to see by looking at the Bulls statistics.
Daniels has averaged 53.8 yards rushing per game and has run twice for touchdowns, but he has thrown for 267.8 yards per game with eight touchdowns.
More important, he has thrown only one interception.
Daniels is the second-leading passer in the Big East behind West Virginia's Geno Smith and he leads the conference in pass efficiency with a rating of 158.4.
First Published September 29, 2011 12:00 am
