While UCF’s 38-0 win over FIU was a rather ho-hum affair on the field, there was an interesting development off of it.
Following the Knights’ second win in as many games this season, head coach George O’Leary confirmed that backup quarterback Tyler Gabbert was one of two players who had left the football program earlier in the week. Wide receiver Dareen Owi was the other abrupt midweek departure.
Gabbert had been listed as the No. 2 quarterback behind starter Blake Bortles on the depth chart released prior to the FIU game. However, the younger brother of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert, the Orlando Sentinel reports, called offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe at 10 ET Wednesday night to inform the coach that he was quitting the team.
The development is the latest departure for a player whose grown comfortable in his transfer shoes.
After losing out in the spring battle to replace his older brother, Gabbert decided to leave Missouri in May of 2011. Gabbert then moved on to Louisville in late June of that year; less than two weeks later, the player left the Cardinals.
Sitting out the 2011 season while working on a degree from a junior college, Gabbert then signed with UCF in January of 2012. Last season, Gabbert appeared in seven games, going 2-for-4 for 25 yards and a touchdown in very limited action.
In the season opener, Gabbert completed one of his three pass attempts for five yards.
