When Skip Holtz watches last year’s film of B.J. Daniels, he sees a completely different player than the one on the field this season. With a year of experience in Holtz’s offensive system, the South Florida quarterback knows exactly what he’s doing in the pocket in 2011.

‘It really is a night-and-day difference from where he is mentally,’ Holtz said in the Big East coaches teleconference on Monday. ‘I think it all goes back to his comfort level. … It’s really starting to show.’

Daniels is just one of the standout quarterbacks in the Big East this season and is a big part of the team’s 4-0 start. He’s led the Bulls offense to 45.5 points per game so far.

Joining him at the top of the Big East is West Virginia’s Geno Smith, who is having a breakout year in his first season in the spread offense. And Zach Collaros has directed Cincinnati to a conference-leading 49.5 points per game so far.

For the coaches of these teams, the offensive success comes down to taking care of the football and getting it in the hands of their playmakers.

Daniels had to learn a new system when Holtz replaced Jim Leavitt at USF last season. Under Leavitt, Daniels burst onto the college football scene after replacing an injured Matt Grothe at quarterback in 2009. He led USF to an upset 17-7 victory at then-No. 18 Florida State, passing for 215 yards and rushing for another 126.

But after finishing that season with 23 total touchdowns and leading the team in rushing with 772 yards, Daniels took a step back last year.

Holtz wanted Daniels to play within the system in the pocket and to take off and use his athleticism only when a play broke down.

‘That’s a fine line to draw because you don’t want him to be so robotical that he loses his ability to freelance when things do break down,’ Holtz said. ‘But you don’t just want him out there running around with his eyes all over the field.’

Daniels struggled to find that balance and only rushed for 259 yards in 2010. He threw two more interceptions than touchdowns on the season.

Now, though, he is making better decisions and has found his comfort zone in the pocket. He has thrown eight touchdowns and just one interception to lead the Bulls to an undefeated start.

‘He’s making good decisions,’ Holtz said. ‘He’s been in the pocket throwing the ball more than he has in the past, and I’ve really been proud of the way he’s handled that.’

Smith is making a transition to a new offense this season and hasn’t missed a beat for the Mountaineers either. Head coach Dana Holgorsen said Smith is ‘what makes us go offensively.’ The head coach has been impressed with his presence and body language in the pocket.

Smith has already recorded career highs in completions, attempts and yards multiple times this season. He has completed 65.6 percent of his passes, while throwing nine touchdowns and three interceptions.

Against Louisiana State on Saturday, Smith set program records in all three passing categories against the No. 2 Tigers, completing 38-of-65 attempts for 463 yards.

Though Smith has been productive in leading West Virginia to 36.8 points per game, Holgorsen said he is still picking up the offense and learning which matchups to exploit on each play.

‘It’s a constant and never-ending improvement situation,’ Holgorsen said in the teleconference. ‘He’s got to continue to get on the same page with me and understand exactly where we want to go with the ball.’

Cincinnati’s Collaros came into the season as an accomplished pocket passer. Like Daniels, he first gained notoriety two years ago when he filled in for the injured starter Tony Pike.

The sophomore led Cincinnati to a 4-0 record, throwing for eight touchdowns and one interception. He continued his success last season, leading the Big East in passing yards and ranking third in pass efficiency. But the Bearcats stumbled to a 4-8 record.

This season, behind Collaros’ arm, Cincinnati is off to a 3-1 start. Head coach Butch Jones said he has managed the game well and avoided costly turnovers.

Collaros was the top quarterback in the Big East last year, but he also threw 14 interceptions. Jones said the team’s success early on this season has been a product of taking care of the ball.

And that starts with Collaros.

‘Zach’s doing a great job, too, of getting rid of the football and throwing in rhythm,’ Jones said.

Cincinnati leads nation in forced turnovers

Cincinnati is tops in the country with 16 turnovers forced after intercepting North Carolina State quarterback Mike Glennon twice and recovering a fumble in its 44-14 win over the Wolfpack last week. The Bearcats defense — which entered the season as the team’s biggest question mark — has been an opportunistic bunch after finishing 119th with a minus-15 turnover margin last season. The 16 turnovers already surpasses last season’s total of 14 in 12 games.

Big man on campus

Mohamed Sanu

Rutgers

Wide receiver

Last week: 16 catches, 176 yards, two touchdowns

Sanu set a Big East record with 16 receptions against Ohio on Saturday. His 16 catches are the second-most in the nation in 2011 to USC wide receiver Robert Woods’ 17 against Minnesota. The junior has been the Scarlet Knights’ go-to receiver this season after taking snaps in the Wildcat formation last season. His 176 receiving yards and two touchdowns were also career highs. 

Published on September 27, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Ryne: rjgery@syr.edu