South Florida defensive end Julius Forte tackles quarterback sophomore Connor Cook causing a fumbled ball Sept. 7, 2013, at Spartan Stadium. University of South Florida recovered the ball. Julia Nagy/The State News
In preparation for South Florida last week, head coach Mark Dantonio informed sophomore quarterback Connor Cook on Monday that he would be starting against the Bulls.
Cook then practiced all week as the starter, and redshirt freshman Tyler O’Connor worked as the backup because the coaches wanted to give him his first game experience. The public first learned Cook got the nod hours before kick off Saturday.
As the Spartans ready themselves for Youngstown State this week, Dantonio said on his Sunday teleconference he will let the quarterback situation sort itself out in practice and inform the players before making an official announcement.
“Right now, this is a day-to-day thing, as I said (Saturday),” Dantonio said. “I really wish I could be more concrete on things, but it really depends on how a guy practices, because we need to see the production.”
Senior quarterback Andrew Maxwell started the second half against South Florida after MSU held just a 7-6 lead heading into the intermission. Maxwell remains in the mix to play in the Youngstown State game despite not receiving many repetitions with the first or second team offense in practice last week, Dantonio said.
Freshman Damion Terry also could see his first action as a Spartan against the Penguins, as Dantonio said he looks “ready to compete” after missing game two with an illness and thumb injury.
“Bottom line is, someone needs to seize that opportunity when they have it and make good on it and not come up empty — not in the situation that we are in now,” Dantonio said.
“And in all honesty, I’m going to become more impatient as time goes, and I expect more. As time goes on, I expect more.”
Maxwell and Cook engineered the offense’s two touchdown drives this season, although both scores came on the ground from junior running back Jeremy Langford.
The Spartans average 3.4 yards per pass attempt so far in 2013, which ranks last among 123 Division I Football Bowl Subdivision teams. MSU currently ranks No. 117 nationally in passing yards per game with 105.
In seven possessions versus South Florida, Cook completed six of 11 passes for 32 yards while running for 29 more. O’Connor and Maxwell each got two series on Saturday, going two-for-four for 22 yards and four for nine for 40 yards, respectively.
“I have a sense of urgency in this process,” Dantonio said. “I want to try to formulate it and get it handled as quick as possible, so I have to give people opportunities. As I continue to say, there’s oppositions and there’s opportunities as well, and I understand that, but we have to go forward.”
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