Muschamp: Brissett, Driskel will both play quarterback for Florida vs. Bowling Green

Rather than pick a definitive starter before his team’s season opener, Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp announced Friday that sophomore quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel will both play on Sept. 1 against Bowling Green.

Though Muschamp was unable (or unwilling) to say how exactly snaps would be split between the two signal callers, he explained Friday that Brissett and Driskel both earned the opportunity to start for the Gators and will get the chance to prove in live game action that they deserve the starting job outright.

“I met with both quarterbacks [Friday] morning. Both guys will play in the first game. How we will manage that will still be going through this week,” he said. “They both deserve the right to play. They’ve earned that. And they both deserve the right to start. They both have had really good camps.

“We’re right down the middle as far as 62-63 percent completion percentage – both of them. Their numbers are very similar whether it’s in one-minute [drills], third-down [situations], we’ve taken the details down all the way, Brent [Pease] and I have. Both guys are very even and our football team has got great confidence in both of them.

“I told both of them [Friday], ‘The last position I’m worried about is quarterback.’ I feel very comfortable about both guys. We will determine who will take the first snap this week as we work through the week.”

Though it may not be ideal to play two quarterbacks, Muschamp said he is not worried about creating any additional controversy within the team because both signal callers have the respect of their teammates.

“It is what it is right now. We can win with both guys,” he said. “We function as an offense – regardless of who that guy is – very well. It’s a compliment to both guys because they both have a similar skill set and they both are accomplished in what they’re doing. And our players have great confidence in both guys.”

There may be one speed bump to Muschamp’s plan coming to fruition, however, as Driskel has been non-contact in practice for two weeks after suffering a contusion to the scapula of his left, non-throwing shoulder on Aug. 12.

He only missed two days of practice and returned to splitting reps with Brissett on Aug. 15 but is set to be reevaluated on Monday to see if he can take hits on Sept. 1.

“I want to see who plays the best, at the end of the day. I want to see who plays the best in those situations,” Muschamp added.

Photo Credit: David Carr/The Independent Florida Alligator