More on the QB decision
Posted 03:42 p.m., October 10, 2008
Tommy Bowden opened today's teleconference with reporters by announcing redshirt freshman Willy Korn is now the Tigers' starting quarterback.
Bowden said the Tigers' offense, which has scored one touchdown in the past six quarters in losses to Wake Forest and Maryland, needs a spark. He's hoping Korn can provide it with his mobility.
"We’ve got to find something to spark us a little bit," said Bowden, whose team suffered a 12-7 loss to No. 21 Wake Forest on Thursday night.
Bowden, who's undoubtedly feeling some heat for his team's 3-3 start (1-2 ACC), said he wasn't forced into the decision. Until today, he'd firmly been in the corner of fifth-year senior Cullen Harper, who was the preseason player of the year in the ACC.
Bowden said fourth-year offensive coordinator Rob Spence, who'd repeatedly said Harper was his guy and that no quarterback change was being pondered, endorsed the decision.
Bowden said Harper has "been a little banged up this year." Harper suffered a sprained throwing shoulder in the opening loss to Alabama. He injured his other shoulder against N.C. State. Harper has said for the last few weeks that his throwing shoulder was fine.
"He's just struggled a little bit," Bowden said. "We need to find a spark."
Bowden said Spence called Harper on his cell phone earlier today and left a message.
Bowden said he briefly considered making a quarterback change at halftime last night but wanted to make sure he was doing the right thing. He said he made the decision today at 1 p.m.
Bowden continued to defend Spence, whose offense produced 198 yards against the Demon Deacons and rushed for 21 yards on 23 carries. The Tigers had 112 yards in the second half against Maryland, failing to reach the end zone after halftime in the 20-17 defeat.
"Rob's been here for three years and has had a pretty productive track record," Bowden said. "He didn't forget how to coach or call plays or coordinate an offense."
Bowden said Korn "might have had a couple" of first-string snaps in practice this season. He said he'll evaluate the quarterback situation after next week's game against Georgia Tech. He said Korn will go the entire game "if he stays healthy."
Bowden admitted the move is a bit of a roll of the dice, because "we don't know what Willy will do."
"I know he runs pretty good," he said.
Harper was sacked four times against the Demon Deacons.
Though he defended Spence, Bowden said he's not happy with the offensive direction.
"We’ve got to generate something," he said. "That’s what we’re going to evaluate, our plan of attack. ... This gives us more options and more flexibility and some different things we can do."
-- No word yet on tailback C.J. Spiller's hamstring, nor any of the other injuries.
-- The Tigers will practice Sunday night.
Plenty more later.
LW
Comments
Posted by ryan on October 10 at 5 p.m.
I think this is a move to placate fans, and try to get some people that decided to skip next week's game to go ahead and come back. It obviously isn't about trying to win, otherwise he would have pulled the trigger at half time last night.
I don't understand what he is afraid of, if he has a gut decision at half time, then go for it.
Posted by tgrfan2 on October 10 at 6:01 p.m.
TB needs to cut out the stats from the cream puffs and quit BSing us. Let's review the rushing last year from FURMAN 60 yds, GT 34 yds, VT 8 yds, and BC 47 yds. 149 yds and 1.25 yds per carry in the 4 sub 100 yd games last year!
23 attempts for 21 yds in a must win game last night. Who is TB trying to fool?!!!!
Posted by JBknows on October 10 at 7:34 p.m.
What bothers me is how often in the summer he said what a great blocker Chad Diehl is and whenever we are in short yardage situations we don't us him at FB. Our inability to convert in short yardage situations is demoralizing and pathetic.
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