BOCA RATON – Based on FAU coach Charlie Partridge’s comments, it doesn’t appear as though quarterback Jason Driskel is in much danger of losing his starting spot to understudy Daniel Parr.
In Monday’s weekly meeting with the media, Partridge said that Parr is struggling with some of the basics of new offensive coordinator Travis Trickett’s offense.
“There’s simply things you must do to operate the offense,” Partridge said. “There’s things that calls require you to execute.”
Though Partridge declined to go into specifics, he made it clear that at the moment Parr isn’t handling that aspect of the position nearly as well as Driskel is.
Parr, a redshirt freshman, and Driskel began a quarterback battle in the spring that ended roughly a week before the start of the season with Partridge naming Driskel the Owls’ starting quarterback.
A redshirt sophomore, Driskel threw for two scores and rushed for another in the season-opening victory over Southern Illinois, but hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass since and the Owls have only two touchdowns in the two games that followed – both losses.
In Saturday’s blowout loss at Kansas St. Driskel suffered through his worst outing as a collegian, throwing two interceptions and fumbling twice in the 63-7 FAU loss.
Parr played nearly the entire fourth quarter, entering the game after Driskel piloted the Owls on their lone touchdown drive.
One of the most prized recruits ever to sign with FAU, the strong-armed Parr completed one of his four pass attempts against the Wildcats, covering four yards. He was also sacked once.
In mop-up duty the week prior against Miami Parr’s lone pass fell incomplete. He was also sacked once.
“He’ll grow,” Partridge said. “Daniel’s a talented young man, but operating the offense is part of being quarterback. As he grows into that, then he’ll have a better chance of stepping out there onto the field.”
I have watched every minute of the FAU football season. It is clear to me that what ever kind/type of offense they are trying to run, it is not working. They need to adapt to the players they have. They need to throw the ball more than 5 yards down the field. As an FAU fan I want to see Parr. Not saying it is Driskel’s fault but I think we know what he brings to the table and he struggles to throw the ball downfield. Let Parr use his arm. This so called uptempo offense is not working. Make changes or see coaching changes real soon. I would accept a struggling offense if it was with the Future in Parr.
Heck anyone from Palm Beach county knows Parr can and has got what it takes to guide a team to success. It’s obvious that what ever plays are being called don’t work for this FAU team. Something has got to change if your goal is to win? A coach should lead the team not discourage them. I’m truly disappointed that I have not seen that with these coaches. Many people including myself can’t see how a coach can leave a QB in when he’s definitely having a off game. We had hoped the QB would of been changed at half time. The sports reporters were also surprised. Keep being stubborn CP and you’ll be gone. All that talent and your not only losing games you’re failing all those boys that call you coach.
Partridge is in a bromance with Trickett & can’t see that this offensive scheme is a failure. And now this failure is impacting all phases of the team as the defense broke down & special teams weakened. Bill Cowher speaking of a pro coach’s failure to adapt said “…any coach who fails to adjust his program to his players’ skills will soon be unemployed…” The 1-3 yard passes aren’t cutting it. I agree get Parr in there and throw the ball downfield.