Nov 16, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Mike White (14) drops back against the Memphis Tigers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The wait is officially over.
The University of South Florida have named Mike White as the team’s starting quarterback when the Bulls battle Western Carolina on August 30.
. @CoachTaggart names Mike White #USF starting quarterback for Bulls' season opener, Aug. 30 vs. Western Carolina. #GoBulls
— USF Football (@USFFootball) August 17, 2014
White edged out Steven Bench for the starting gig as well as Evan Wilson and Quinton Flowers.
Last season, White started the final five games of the season and threw for 1,083 yards with three touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 53.1 per cent of his passes.
White, a sophomore, also had a strong spring and did nothing to suggest that he couldn’t be the guy moving forward for coach Willie Taggart.
His main competition came from Bench who transferred to USF from Penn State before the 2013 season.
Last year, Bench threw for just 392 yards while tossing two touchdowns and three picks. He completed only 40.6 per cent of his passes however.
Last season, the Bulls had four different players play at quarterback (Bobby Eveld and Matt Floyd were the others).
While the Bulls struggled all season long to a 2-10 record, one major problem was the lack of consistency at quarterback.
The Bulls’ first four games of the season are at home. After Western Carolina, USF will also battle Maryland, NC State and UConn.
Taggart has already stated that he aims to lead the Bulls to a bowl game this season, saying, “I wouldn’t say bowl game or bust, but a bowl game’s a must.”