Here’s an interesting excerpt from Tiger coach Tommy West’s Monday press luncheon discussing this weekend’s game at Rice and his quarterback situation.

(Senior Martin Hankins is the likely starter at Rice after recovering from a hip pointer. Junior Will Hudgens started the past two games in his absence.)

“Right now I would probably start Martin (Hankins) in this game (but) I’m going to get Matt (Malouf) ready to play,” West said.

Malouf (right) is the redshirt freshman from Oxford, Miss., who has been remarkably productive during his few touches this season. On 11 of his 22 touches, he has either scored on a touchdown run, passed for a TD or gotten the first down.

“I think he deserves a chance right now,” West said. “Martin has had some chances; we haven’t won. Will’s had some chances, we didn’t win. As a quarterback, that’s how you’re judged. You’re judged by how many games you win.”

Sounds to me like The Future could begin receiving significant playing time during the season’s second half. And why not? Malouf is an exciting player, probably the most entertaining on offense the Tigers have next to receivers Duke Calhoun, Earnest Williams and Maurice Jones.

West was upset with himself for not finding time to get Malouf in last weekend’s loss to Middle Tennessee. And with good reason.

Malouf has great feet, good vision and patience when he’s running. No one knows much about his arm, although his only pass attempt this season resulted in a 4-yard touchdown. Finding something — anything — to spark the offense could trigger the end of a difficult 18-game, two-year stretch in which the Tigers have gone 4-14.