Randy Shannon names Malik Zaire starting QB for Missouri game
-----
* Teleconference Blog: Randy Shannon and Barry Odom preview Florida-Missouri
* Notebook: Shannon nearing quarterback decision, giving Rumph free rein
* With Davis out for season, Shannon calls on Thompson to step up
* Florida seniors react to second major coaching change of their careers
* Monday Practice Insider: Shannon holds practice in The Swamp
* Interim coach Randy Shannon shaking things up
* Blog: Randy Shannon addresses media as interim head coach
* Stricklin wants to make Florida fun again
-----
Interim head coach Randy Shannon announced Thursday that Malik Zaire will be Florida's starting quarterback against Missouri on Saturday.
"Malik is the starting quarterback for this upcoming game at Missouri," Shannon told the team website. "This is his opportunity to get this team where it needs to be and not to be satisfied just because he's the starter.
"Today is an opportunity for him to run the offense and understand the expectations that we have for him. This is not a time for him to feel comfortable and feel like he's made it. We want him to keep grinding and understand that competition is very good."
A graduate transfer from Notre Dame, Zaire has appeared in two games for the Gators this season in relief of redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks, but Saturday will be his first start for UF. Zaire is 12-of-23 for 142 yards as a passer. Against Georgia, Zaire was 3-of-6 for 36 yards passing while rushing for 30 yards on two carries, including a 27-yard run. Zaire led Florida's only scoring drive against the Bulldogs in the 42-7 loss.
Zaire will be Florida's third starting quarterback of the season. Franks started six games while redshirt junior Luke Del Rio, out for the season with a broken collarbone, started the Vanderbilt game.
The No. 3 dual-threat quarterback of the 2013 class, Zaire spent four years at Notre Dame. With quarterbacks Everett Golson and DeShone Kizer also in South Bend, Zaire saw limited playing time before electing to transfer after graduating. With the Fighting Irish, Zaire was 58-of-88 passing for 816 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions along with 72 carries for 324 yards and two touchdowns.
Zaire was best known for two games at Notre Dame, the 2014 Music City Bowl against LSU and the 2015 season opener against Texas. Against LSU, Zaire was 12-of-15 passing for 96 yards and a touchdown, but was a bigger factor carrying the ball (22 carries, 96 yards, TD).
Zaire's performance against LSU prompted Golson to transfer to Florida State. Zaire was Notre Dame's starter to open the 2015 season against Texas. He had a career game against the Longhorns (19-of-22, 313 yards, 3 TDs), but broke his ankle in Week 2. Kizer, now with the Cleveland Browns, stepped in and held onto the starting job for 2016.
------
Thank you for reading this Inside the Gators article. To discuss it, please visit the Alligator Alley Forum.