During and after a four-turnover effort in the loss to Cincinnati last week, starting quarterback Mike White, the Tampa Bay Times wrote, "[got] down on himself and [allowed] teammates to see his dejection.” That didn’t sit well with head coach Willie Taggart... and might end up with White sitting on the bench this weekend.
According to the Times, backup Steven Bench has been seen taking reps with the Bulls’ starting center during practice this week. While Taggart has yet to make a decision on a starter for Saturday’s game against Houston, he again referenced composure in intimating that a change at the position could be in the offing.
“If we’re gonna be the team and win the games that we feel like we should win, everyone’s got to compete and no one can be complacent or get down when things don’t go well,” said Taggart, who didn’t indicate when he’d decide on a starter.
“If we’re gonna be the team and win the games that we feel like we should win, everyone’s got to compete and no one can be complacent or get down when things don’t go well,” the coach said Thursday. ""We’ve got to compete no matter what the situation is, and that’s what we’re looking for in our guys.”
White is currently 90th in the country, and ninth in the AAC, in passing efficiency. White beat out Bench for the starting job during the middle of summer camp.
Bench, who transferred to the Bulls from Penn State, appears to be in line for his first start of the 2014 season. In 2013, his first season with the Bulls, Bench started a pair of games.
This season, Bench has completed less than half of his 51 passes for 319 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.