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Munchie Legaux is going to have to show he deserves to keep his job as Cincinnati's starting quarterback.
The sophomore struggled in his first collegiate start on Saturday, going 12 of 31 for 158 yards with an interception and a fumble during a 20-3 loss at Rutgers. It was his first start in place of senior Zach Collaros, who is out for the rest of the regular season with a broken ankle.
Coach Butch Jones said Monday that Legaux enters practice this week as the starter, but sophomore Jordan Luallen will have more plays in the game plan for Syracuse. Jones also said that whoever has the better week of practice - Legaux, Luallen or Brendon Kay - will start at Syracuse on Saturday.
Luallen has been in several games this season as part of running packages. He has carried 10 times for 58 yards and a touchdown and thrown one pass. Legaux moved ahead of him in the competition for the No. 2 job before the start of the season with his consistency.
''We're going to compete,'' Jones said on the Big East conference call. ''If they have a better week of preparation than Munchie, then they'll be the starter.
''Whoever has the best week of practice and can manage our offense effectively will be the starting quarterback.''
The Bearcats were in control of the conference race before Collaros broke his ankle during the second quarter of a 24-21 loss to West Virginia. The Bearcats had a field goal blocked as they tried to tie it in the final seconds.
The loss at Rutgers left them 7-3 overall and 3-2 in the Big East, tied with West Virginia and Pittsburgh for third. Rutgers (8-3, 4-2) and Louisville (6-5, 4-2) are a half-game ahead.
The Bearcats finish the season at Syracuse (5-5, 1-4) and at home against Connecticut (4-6, 2-3). Louisville finishes its regular season on Friday at South Florida (5-5, 1-4). Rutgers is at UConn on Saturday.
