By Erik Slaby
This Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET, the University of South Florida Bulls (5-1), coming off a win against the East Carolina University Pirates at home, stay in Tampa to face the University of Connecticut Huskies (3-3), led by third-year head coach Bob Diaco.
Last week, USF defeated inter-conference opponent East Carolina, 38-22. This win now gives USF a 2-0 record in their conference. It was a tough game for USF though, which differs from the games they’ve won thus far. Midway through the third quarter, East Carolina had just scored to make it 24 -22 but had failed on the two-point conversion to tie the game. East Carolina was a field goal away from taking the lead and looked like they may get the win. USF responded with 62 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Quinton Flowers to wide receiver Rodney Adams to go up 31-22. USF’s defense then made a critical stop on the next East Carolina series.
East Carolina backup quarterback Gardner Minshew was intercepted by USF linebacker Nigel Harris who returned it 34 yards to setup the USF offense in great field position. Two plays later, USF running back Marlon Mack powered his way in for a nine yard touchdown run, to go up 38-22. USF head coach Willie Taggart spoke after the game about the resiliency and character of the team.
“I though the ball game showed a lot of character in our football team. We let East Carolina get back in it and we didn’t flinch. Our guys came back in it and made a big play when we needed a play. That was great to see out of our football team, as playing as bad as we did there throughout the game.”
The USF offense was led by Mack and Flowers. Mack had 18 carries for 152 yards and two touchdowns. This was his 16th game where he rushed for over 100 yards, a school record. Flowers completed 21 of 29 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns, as well as carrying the ball 16 times for 115 yards. The rushing performances of Mack and Flowers extended USF’s nation leading streak of games with 200-yards rushing to 11 games.
Against Connecticut, USF will have to keep an eye out for defensive back Obi Melifonwu, who leads the team in tackles with 50. They will also have to watch out for defensive lineman Cole Ormsby who leads the team in sacks with four. While Connecticut does not have a winning record this season, they have been able to play close, tough games even in losses. Outside of the Florida State game, this Connecticut defense might be the best one USF has seen so far this season.
Connecticut is coming off a 20-9 sloppy win over Cincinnati. In the second quarter, Connecticut was down 9-0 but the defense stiffened and did not allow Cincinnati to score the rest of the game. The Connecticut offense then scored 20 unanswered points. Offensively, they were led by running back Arkeel Newsome, who had 14 carries for 116 yards and wide receiver Noel Thomas, had nine catches for 108 yards and one touchdown.
Although Connecticut got the win, the offense fumbled the ball twice, they recovered both fumbles, but they also threw two interceptions. It will be very tough for Connecticut to defeat USF if the offense turns the ball over that many times. Connecticut head coach Bob Diaco knows that and spoke about it this past week.
"If we turn the football over and lack ball security this week like we did last week, we're not going to win. It will be impossible to win this game and turn it over. And they (USF) take it away. And we gave it away last weekend. That has to be cleaned up."
USF ranks 13th nationally overall in takeaways this season with 13. Connecticut will need to be very careful to not turn the ball over because if they do, it could be very detrimental to them, especially since they already do not have a high powered offense. Connecticut will have to keep an eye on USF linebacker Auggie Sanchez as he leads the team in tackles with 48, as well as sacks with three.
In the series between these two teams, USF leads it all-time 8-5. If USF wins this game, they will become bowl-eligible for the second time in Taggart’s tenure. This game will likely be a close game. Connecticut’s defense is very good at keeping games close to give their offense a chance. In addition, Connecticut has played USF very tough in Taggart’s time as the head coach. The last three times USF and Connecticut have faced each other, USF has won all of the games but never more than by a margin of eight points. It will be very interesting to see if USF can keep their high-powered offense rolling and put up style points, or if they will once again struggle against Connecticut.
Last week, USF defeated inter-conference opponent East Carolina, 38-22. This win now gives USF a 2-0 record in their conference. It was a tough game for USF though, which differs from the games they’ve won thus far. Midway through the third quarter, East Carolina had just scored to make it 24 -22 but had failed on the two-point conversion to tie the game. East Carolina was a field goal away from taking the lead and looked like they may get the win. USF responded with 62 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Quinton Flowers to wide receiver Rodney Adams to go up 31-22. USF’s defense then made a critical stop on the next East Carolina series.
East Carolina backup quarterback Gardner Minshew was intercepted by USF linebacker Nigel Harris who returned it 34 yards to setup the USF offense in great field position. Two plays later, USF running back Marlon Mack powered his way in for a nine yard touchdown run, to go up 38-22. USF head coach Willie Taggart spoke after the game about the resiliency and character of the team.
“I though the ball game showed a lot of character in our football team. We let East Carolina get back in it and we didn’t flinch. Our guys came back in it and made a big play when we needed a play. That was great to see out of our football team, as playing as bad as we did there throughout the game.”
The USF offense was led by Mack and Flowers. Mack had 18 carries for 152 yards and two touchdowns. This was his 16th game where he rushed for over 100 yards, a school record. Flowers completed 21 of 29 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns, as well as carrying the ball 16 times for 115 yards. The rushing performances of Mack and Flowers extended USF’s nation leading streak of games with 200-yards rushing to 11 games.
Against Connecticut, USF will have to keep an eye out for defensive back Obi Melifonwu, who leads the team in tackles with 50. They will also have to watch out for defensive lineman Cole Ormsby who leads the team in sacks with four. While Connecticut does not have a winning record this season, they have been able to play close, tough games even in losses. Outside of the Florida State game, this Connecticut defense might be the best one USF has seen so far this season.
Connecticut is coming off a 20-9 sloppy win over Cincinnati. In the second quarter, Connecticut was down 9-0 but the defense stiffened and did not allow Cincinnati to score the rest of the game. The Connecticut offense then scored 20 unanswered points. Offensively, they were led by running back Arkeel Newsome, who had 14 carries for 116 yards and wide receiver Noel Thomas, had nine catches for 108 yards and one touchdown.
Although Connecticut got the win, the offense fumbled the ball twice, they recovered both fumbles, but they also threw two interceptions. It will be very tough for Connecticut to defeat USF if the offense turns the ball over that many times. Connecticut head coach Bob Diaco knows that and spoke about it this past week.
"If we turn the football over and lack ball security this week like we did last week, we're not going to win. It will be impossible to win this game and turn it over. And they (USF) take it away. And we gave it away last weekend. That has to be cleaned up."
USF ranks 13th nationally overall in takeaways this season with 13. Connecticut will need to be very careful to not turn the ball over because if they do, it could be very detrimental to them, especially since they already do not have a high powered offense. Connecticut will have to keep an eye on USF linebacker Auggie Sanchez as he leads the team in tackles with 48, as well as sacks with three.
In the series between these two teams, USF leads it all-time 8-5. If USF wins this game, they will become bowl-eligible for the second time in Taggart’s tenure. This game will likely be a close game. Connecticut’s defense is very good at keeping games close to give their offense a chance. In addition, Connecticut has played USF very tough in Taggart’s time as the head coach. The last three times USF and Connecticut have faced each other, USF has won all of the games but never more than by a margin of eight points. It will be very interesting to see if USF can keep their high-powered offense rolling and put up style points, or if they will once again struggle against Connecticut.