“This is not ideal”: Lane Kiffin sticking to early-season QB plan, will start Luke Altmyer against Central Arkansas
Lane Kiffin on Monday reiterated his plans to start Ole Miss second-year quarterback Luke Altmyer against Central Arkansas.
USC transfer Jaxson Dart took every snap for three-plus quarters of the Rebels’ 28-10 season-opening win over Troy. He gave way to Altmyer around the 12-minute mark of the fourth quarter.
“We’d always like to have it figured out. This is not ideal,” Kiffin told local media on Monday. “Luke will go first in this game, so that gives both guys an opportunity to go first and see how he plays.”
LISTEN: Jaxson Dart’s growth “difference between seven (or) ten wins” for Ole Miss
Sticking to script, both quarterbacks will play against the Bears.
This time, though, it will be Dart coming off the bench.
Kiffin said he’s holding to a plan previously laid out to Altmyer and Dart last week.
“(Altmyer) didn’t get as many opportunities (against Troy) as we would have liked,” Kiffin said. “Obviously we would have liked for his series to go further. Jaxson’s (second-half) interception (in the red zone), was going to switch after that series.
“But I take a lot into the psyche of the quarterback, and I didn’t want his last play to be an interception. So that ate up one of Luke’s series.”
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Dart was 18 of 27 for 154 yards, one touchdown and an interception in his Ole Miss debut.
Pro Football Focus graded his performance at 58.6, which came in as the 146th best among college quarterbacks on opening weekend.
Altmyer graded out higher (60.6), but he attempted only two passes and had a 50 percent completion rate.
“A little bit more of the same things,” Kiffin said, when evaluating Dart’s performance. “The good and the bad. Ran really well. Strong. Moved around in the pocket well (and) got out of some trouble. We didn’t have any sacks in the game, even with average pass protection.
“But then made some mistakes. Really, two critical ones — the interception and a third down, easy completion in front of him ‘cause his feet are screwed up.”
