Dustin Grutza would be well-advised to get off to a good start Saturday against Pittsburgh.
If he doesn't, junior-college transfer Nick Davila is waiting in the wings and University of Cincinnati football coach Mark Dantonio says he won't hesitate to make a change if he believes it's necessary, even as early as the first quarter.
Dantonio said Thursday that Grutza, a redshirt freshman who has started all four of UC's games, would start against the Panthers despite two straight subpar games against Western Carolina and Miami.
He was intercepted five times by the RedHawks.
"He's had a good week of practice," Dantonio said. "But we'll be prepared to move ahead with Nick as the game progresses."
In two appearances in the late stages of blowout losses to Penn State and Miami, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Davila - a transfer from Chaffey (Calif.) Junior College - has completed seven of nine passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
Asked what Grutza did specifically in practice to keep his starting job, Dantonio said, "It's just a feeling the coaches collectively have as a staff. The guy was the Big East player of the week four weeks ago. We're going to stay the course, but at the same we're going to give the other young man an opportunity because I think he's earned it. As we move through the game, we'll make decisions."
Grutza said knowing Davila was waiting put a little more pressure on him this week.
"I've been trying to make too much happen at one time, not just taking it play by play," Grutza said. "I still feel like the same quarterback. I feel like I've just got to go out there and get it done and not think about what's happened already."
Davila took more snaps with the first-team offense this week than he normally does.
"You've just got to prepare like you're going to be the starter," he said. "I'm going to be ready."
DANIELS DOUBTFUL: Running back/kick returner Mike Daniels, who leads UC in all-purpose yards, is still hampered by a sprained ankle he suffered against Miami. He will make the trip to Pittsburgh but Dantonio said it was doubtful he will play.
If he doesn't, junior-college transfer Nick Davila is waiting in the wings and University of Cincinnati football coach Mark Dantonio says he won't hesitate to make a change if he believes it's necessary, even as early as the first quarter.
Dantonio said Thursday that Grutza, a redshirt freshman who has started all four of UC's games, would start against the Panthers despite two straight subpar games against Western Carolina and Miami.
He was intercepted five times by the RedHawks.
"He's had a good week of practice," Dantonio said. "But we'll be prepared to move ahead with Nick as the game progresses."
In two appearances in the late stages of blowout losses to Penn State and Miami, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Davila - a transfer from Chaffey (Calif.) Junior College - has completed seven of nine passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
Asked what Grutza did specifically in practice to keep his starting job, Dantonio said, "It's just a feeling the coaches collectively have as a staff. The guy was the Big East player of the week four weeks ago. We're going to stay the course, but at the same we're going to give the other young man an opportunity because I think he's earned it. As we move through the game, we'll make decisions."
Grutza said knowing Davila was waiting put a little more pressure on him this week.
"I've been trying to make too much happen at one time, not just taking it play by play," Grutza said. "I still feel like the same quarterback. I feel like I've just got to go out there and get it done and not think about what's happened already."
Davila took more snaps with the first-team offense this week than he normally does.
"You've just got to prepare like you're going to be the starter," he said. "I'm going to be ready."
DANIELS DOUBTFUL: Running back/kick returner Mike Daniels, who leads UC in all-purpose yards, is still hampered by a sprained ankle he suffered against Miami. He will make the trip to Pittsburgh but Dantonio said it was doubtful he will play.
