Tag: Bulls

Dec 29, 2021; New York, NY, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) rolls out in the first half during the 2021 Pinstripe Bowl against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Underdog Buffalo preparing for Maryland’s passing attack

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A major point of emphasis in the offseason for Buffalo coach Maurice Linguist was explosive plays — both how to create them and how to stop them.

When heavy underdog Buffalo of the MAC travels to Maryland of the Big Ten in both teams’ season opener Saturday in College Park, Md., the Bulls will get a rigorous test of the latter.

Coming off a year in which he set single-season program records in passing yards (3,860), accuracy (69.2 percent) and touchdowns (26), Terps quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa is primed to improve on those numbers.

He will operate an offense that returns nearly intact, including his top two receivers Rakim Jarrett (62 catches, 829 yards) and Dontay Demus Jr. (28 catches, 507 yards).

“The plan they put together … is a very vertical passing attack,” Linguist said. “They can stretch the field horizontally as well.”

In his fourth season at Maryland, Mike Locksley is looking to take another step forward. The Terps went 7-6 last year and are looking to make noise in the Big Ten after another strong year of recruiting.

“The most improved unit on our team is our offensive line,” Locksley said. “I like our young running backs, the power that they run (with) as well as the different skill sets they all bring.”

Achieving that against the strong front seven of Buffalo, led by linebacker James Patterson and tackle Daymond Williams, won’t be easy.

Coming off a 4-8 season, which was Linguist’s first as a head coach, Buffalo also is looking to make more big plays on offense. To that end, Linguist has named Rutgers transfer Cole Snyder the quarterback over incumbent Matt Myers.

In three seasons at Rutgers, Snyder appeared in nine games, throwing one touchdown pass. He’ll have a quality wideout to throw to in Quian Williams, who had 64 catches for 835 yards last year.

Buffalo has only three starters back on offense but the unit is an unknown quantity as several transfers from Power 5 conference schools, in addition to Snyder, will take over starting spots.

Last year’s top rusher Dylan McDuffie (1,049 yards) transferred to Georgia Tech, leaving Ron Cook Jr. as the top backfield threat.

This will be the first meeting of the programs.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars wide receiver Nathaniel Dell (1) celebrates his touchdown during the first half against the Grambling State Tigers at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Epic win, national ranking propel No. 20 Houston into USF matchup

Posted on | by Field Level Media

No. 20 Houston will ride a wave of momentum created by a seven-game win streak and an electric victory when it plays South Florida on Saturday night in an American Athletic Conference game in Tampa.

Houston (7-1, 5-0) heads to South Florida after a rousing 44-37 home victory over previously undefeated SMU last week.

Houston won on Marcus Jones’ 100-yard kickoff return in the final seconds.

The win allowed Houston its first ranking in the Top 25 since Oct. 28, 2018, when it landed at No. 17. The team remained in the poll for just one week.

The Cougars’ win streak is their longest since winning eight straight from Nov. 27, 2015-Sept. 29, 2016.

“Any time you get an emotional game like that, whether you win or whether you lose, you’ve gotta move on,” Houston coach Dana Holgorsen said. “We’re in a good spot. We’re 5-0 and in first place in the conference, so how hard do we want to work to stay there? That’s going to be the message going forward.”

The Cougars also received huge performances from wide receiver Nathaniel Dell (nine catches for 165 yards and three touchdowns) and quarterback Clayton Tune (a career-high 412 yards and four touchdowns passing) to survive SMU.

Dell posted the first three-TD performance for a Cougars receiver since 2018 and garnered AAC offensive player of the week honors. Jones received the conference’s special-teams player of the week award for his game-winning, walk-off return.

Houston is one of two unbeaten teams in the AAC — along with No. 2 Cincinnati — and will need to continue to win to qualify for the AAC championship game on Dec. 4.

South Florida (2-6, 1-3) returns home with anything but momentum following a 29-14 loss at East Carolina on Oct. 28, the Bulls’ fourth setback in the past five games.

The Bulls’ defense forced three turnovers in the loss, played in periodic heavy rain, but South Florida lost the ball four times – on a fumble and three interceptions, one of which was return by East Carolina for a TD.

Freshman Katravis Marsh passed for 192 yards and a touchdown in his second career start at quarterback for the Bulls, and Kelly Joiner Jr. ran for 103 yards on just 12 carries. South Florida averaged 6.4 yards per snap on just 60 plays but were doomed by turnovers.

The Bulls were 0 for 7 on third-down conversion attempts and 2 of 4 on fourth-down tries, and struggled mightily in the second half after going to the break ahead 14-6.

“It was a disappointing finish,” South Florida coach Jeff Scott said. “I felt like our guys played pretty well in the first half. But in the second half, we just couldn’t get off the field on third down and we couldn’t convert on third down. That’s kind of where the game was won and lost right there in the second half.

“Hopefully this nine-day break that we’re going to have before the next game will give us a chance to get some things figured out.”

Houston and South Florida are meeting for the eighth time, with the Cougars holding a 5-2 edge highlighted by five consecutive victories (2013-present).

–Field Level Media

Sep 25, 2021; Provo, Utah, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Timmy McClain (9) looks to pass in the second quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

South Florida’s AAC losing streak looms large against Tulsa

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tulsa will be looking to remain in the conference title hunt while South Florida will just be seeking a win period when the two teams meet in an American Athletic Conference clash Saturday afternoon in Tampa, Fla.

The Golden Hurricane (2-4, 1-1 AAC) have won two of their last three outings after holding on for a 35-29 win over Memphis last week while the Bulls (1-4, 0-1) are coming off an open date with only a win over Florida A&M, an FCS foe, on the positive side of their ledger.

The Bulls have not won a league game since Nov. 26, 2019, when they beat East Carolina 45-20. Their conference losing streak reached 12 games with their 41-17 loss to SMU in their last outing.

Second-year coach Jeff Scott sees the open date as a chance to refocus the season.

“Our season is not going to be determined by our first five games,” he said. “It’s really going to be determined by our last seven games.”

Despite the record, Scott sees some positives in the Bulls’ early play. They outscored Florida 17-7 in the second half of a 42-20 loss to the Gators, got a 28-6 gap down to one score in a 35-27 loss at BYU, and were within 10 points late in an eventual 41-17 loss to SMU.

“We showed in two quarters in a couple of these games what we’re capable of,” Scott said, “but we’ve got to be a lot more consistent.”

True freshman Tim McClain (54 of 92 passing for 781 yards) will be making his fourth consecutive start at quarterback against a veteran Tulsa defense that starts four graduates along with five seniors and two juniors.

The Hurricane also have a two-prong rushing attack behind Shamari Brooks (416 yards) and Anthony Watkins (282).

Tulsa has an open date after this but then takes on Navy and league leader Cincinnati its next two games.

“It’s a difficult week and we don’t want to be thinking ahead,” Tulsa coach Philip Montgomery said. “I don’t think we can afford to do that at all.”

–Field Level Media

Florida Gators defensive lineman Antonio Valentino (55) congratulates Florida Gators defensive lineman Daquan Newkirk (44) after a big stop during the second game of the season against the USF Bulls at Raymond James Stadium, in Tampa Fla. Sept. 11, 2021. Flgai 09112021 Ufvs Usf Action32

No. 13 Florida cruises to win over South Florida

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Florida scored touchdowns on five consecutive possessions of Saturday’s game, and coasted to a 42-20 win over host South Florida in Tampa, Fla.

The 13th-ranked Gators (2-0) got results out of their two quarterbacks, Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson. Jones completed 14 of 22 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions, and ran for 81 yards and a score.

Richardson was 3 for 3 for 152 yards and two touchdown passes with an 80-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, totaling 115 yards on the ground to lead the Gators in rushing. His stats might have fueled the idea of a quarterback controversy in Gainesville, which head coach Dan Mullen had refuted earlier in the week.

But Richardson was injured on the long touchdown run, and did not return to the game.

The Gators finished with 666 yards — 363 rushing, 303 passing.

There were big play touchdowns for Florida and five catches for 175 yards from wide receiver Jacob Copeland, but the first Gators touchdown drive was the product of tough running from Dameon Pierce, who had runs of 16, 20 and seven yards on the possession, the last one being for a score.

Jones engineered that drive, then gave way to Richardson. On Richardson’s first pass of the game, he found Copeland over the middle, and Copeland turned the completion into a 75-yard touchdown with 4:34 to play in the quarter.

Florida got the ball back on a turnover on downs, and Jones found Xzavier Henderson for a 35-yard touchdown and a 21-3 lead.

Richardson got his turn, and again connected with Copeland for a 41-yard touchdown pass. Two-plus minutes later, Jones ran in a keeper, electing to fake the pitch and run it up the middle and breaking into the open field for a 33-yard touchdown.

The Bulls (0-2) couldn’t overcome the 32-point deficit they faced before halftime, and made a quarterback change from starter Cade Fortin (91 yards) to Timmy McClain (83) for the second half.

The Bulls gained just 297 yards of total offense, and received two rushing touchdowns for Jaren Mangham.

–Field Level Media

Sep 4, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) runs the ball in for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

No. 13 Florida heads south to battle USF

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The 13th-ranked Florida Gators take their show on the road to Tampa this Saturday, where they’ll have plenty of support from inside Raymond James Stadium against host South Florida.

The Gators (1-0) have a quarterback controversy potentially brewing. Junior Emory Jones is the starter but redshirt freshman Anthony Richardson is making the coaching staff wonder a little bit about increased playing time.

Jones was 17 for 27 for 113 yards with a touchdown pass and two interceptions in his team’s 35-14 win over Florida Atlantic last week. Head coach Dan Mullen says there is no controversy, even though Richardson ran for 160 yards on seven carries, passed for another 40 yards and, with the Gators having sealed their win late in the game, impressed with a 73-yard touchdown run.

If nothing else, expect to see the two quarterbacks again on Saturday against the Bulls (0-1), who fell at North Carolina State 45-0 last week.

The game will be the first regular-season game in Tampa for Florida since playing Mississippi State in 1989, before the current home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers was built. Defensive end Zachary Carter, who had three of his team’s six sacks against Florida Atlantic, is among those Gators from the area who get to play in their hometown.

“You know, I haven’t played a game in Tampa in about four years,” Carter said. “I’m getting old, but I’m excited to be back in Tampa. I’m going to have a big crowd (of family and friends) there.”

The Gators will also sport a new-look white helmet.

Florida and South Florida have faced each other just one other time, a 38-14 win for the Gators at The Swamp in Gainesville in 2010.

The Bulls might be close to a quarterback change. True freshman Timmy McClain and sophomore Cade Fortin, the starter last Thursday, had the same number of completions against N.C. State: seven.

McClain threw for 126 yards on 13 attempts compared to 41 yards on 20 attempts for Fortin. McClain threw two interceptions, though, and Fortin will get the start again this week, head coach Jeff Scott said.

“Cade settled down when we put him in later in the game. He showed better decision-making,” Scott said.

Both quarterbacks will play, Scott added.

“The biggest disappointment was the turnovers. He just forced some throws in the red zone that did not need to happen there, and took away some opportunities to get points,” Scott said of McClain. “I expect both of those guys to play better this week.”

Scott said the team looks forward to a big crowd at home after fans were not allowed for games at home last season. He said he hopes his team has learned lessons from the season-opening loss but knows the Gators will be a tough opponent.

“For me it starts with being able to stop their running game. They had over 400 yards rushing last week,” Scott said of the Gators, who averaged 8.7 yards per carry against FAU. “Both of their quarterbacks are tremendous.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 23, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricane wide receiver Juancarlos Santana (5) catches a touchdown pass as South Florida Bulls defensive back Mike Hampton (7) defends in the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Tulsa shakes off layoff, routs South Florida

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane showed no signs of rust after a 19-day layoff, cruising to a 42-13 win over South Florida Bulls on Friday night in Tampa, Fla.

Tulsa remains one of five unbeaten teams in the American Athletic Conference after winning its first game since Oct., 3 when it upset then-No. 11 UCF 34-26. A scheduled game last week against No. 8 Cincinnati due to a COVID-19 outbreak with the Bearcats.

The Golden Hurricane (2-1, 2-0 AAC) totaled 462 yards overall with a near-perfect balance of 235 passing and 227 rushing. Sophomore Deneric Prince (15 rushes, 109 yards) and senior Corey Taylor II (12 rushes, 67 yards) each ran for two touchdowns.

Tulsa outgained South Florida 289-113 in total yards in the first half and led 21-6 at halftime.

Golden Hurricane junior linebacker Zaven Collins was responsible for two of the three South Florida turnovers, forcing a fumble in the first half and returning an interception 38 yards for a touchdown that helped the Golden Hurricane pull away in the third quarter.

South Florida (1-5, 0-4) lost its fifth consecutive game and struggled to find any consistent momentum on offense. The Bulls used three quarterbacks in the game with grad transfer Noah Johnson taking the most snaps. Johnson completed 18 of 26 for 150 yards with one touchdown and one interception. His 4-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Miller cut Tulsa’s lead to 21-13 with 8:43 left in the third.

Sophomore Johnny Ford — the Bulls’ leader in total yards — was held to 19 yards combined rushing and receiving.

The Bulls struggled on third down, converting just 2 of 15 tries.

In the middle of the third quarter, Prince took a handoff from Tulsa senior quarterback Zach Smith, cut to the inside and sprinted up the middle for a 62-yard touchdown that sparked a run of 21 unanswered points. That TD increased the lead to 28-13, and five minutes later, the margin was up to 42-13 after Collins’ pick-six and a 1-yard Taylor scoring run.

Smith completed 16 of 24 passes for 233 yards with one interception and a 33-yard touchdown pass to JuanCarlos Santana that opened the game’s scoring.

–Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Citadel Bulldogs running back back Logan Braucht (43) is tackled by South Florida Bulls linebacker Dwayne Boyles (11) and defensive lineman Rashawn Yates (91) and defensive tackle Blake Green (17) and defensive back Bentlee Sanders (20) in the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Stamey-USA TODAY Sports

USF smothers The Citadel in season opener

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Jeff Scott era at the University of South Florida began on a positive note as the host Bulls defeated The Citadel 27-6 in their regular season opener on Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium.

Scott, the former Clemson University offensive coordinator, saw his rebuilt defense keep the Bulldogs (0-1) out of the end zone despite yielding 200 yards to their triple option offense.

South Florida’s running game outgained The Citadel as 10 different rushers amassed 302 yards on 39 carries (7.7 yards per carry).

A special teams miscue, however, allowed South Florida (1-0) to seize control late in the first half.

Bulldogs’ punter Matt Campbell mishandled a snap in his end zone and shanked the kick off his foot. The ball did not travel past the goal line and was caught by South Florida receiver Omarion Dollison for a touchdown to give USF a 13-6 lead.

Kelly Joiner paced South Florida’s offense with 87 yards on eight carries, and effectively ended any comeback hopes The Citadel had with a 3-yard touchdown run with 6:55 left in the fourth.

Noah Johnson, a grad transfer from Alcorn State who grew up in the Tampa area and is one of three quarterbacks the Bulls plan to incorporate in their offense this season, extended South Florida’s lead to 20-6 on a 9-yard touchdown run with 2:41 left in the second quarter.

Jordan McCloud started the game at quarterback for South Florida and threw for 68 yards and a touchdown on 11 of 16 passes.

South Florida’s defense held The Citadel to two field goals on three red zone opportunities. Quarterback Brandon Rainey led the Bulldogs with 65 yards on 20 carries, but completed only 4 of 18 passes for 84 yards and one interception.

The Bulldogs, who will play only four games this season and had scored upsets over FBS schools in 2015 (South Carolina) and last season (Georgia Tech), squandered a chance to score on its first drive when running back Logan Braucht was stripped by South Florida defensive lineman Rashawn Yates allowing cornerback Mike Hampton to recover at the Bulls’ 39-yard line.

–Field Level Media