USF (1-2; 0-0 American) vs. Rice (2-1; 0-0 American)
Saturday, Sept. 23 • 4:00 P.M. • Raymond James Stadium (65,000) • Tampa, Fla.
SURFACE: Bermuda Pure Grass
TV: ESPNU: Jay Alter (PXP) & Rene Ingoglia (Analyst)
AUDIO: 102.5 FM & HD 2/TuneIn – Bulls Limitless
SERIES: First Assembly
IN TAMPA: First Assembly
IN HOUSTON: THAT
LAST TIME: THAT
VS. AAC: 30-50, eleventh season
AAC OPENERS: 5-5, misplaced 4 straight
LAST: L, 28-48, to ECU in Boca Raton
USF GAME NOTES
The breakdown of Saturday’s USF-Rice soccer recreation at Raymond James Stadium revolves round some apparent truths.
For the Bulls (1-2) to win their American Athletic Convention opener, they have to rating touchdowns (plural) in opposition to the Owls (2-1), one thing that didn’t come near occurring in final week’s 17-3 battle in opposition to No. 10 Alabama.
USF ventured into Alabama territory 4 occasions (as soon as after a special-teams turnover that led to a discipline objective). Twice, the Bulls have been stopped on fourth-down performs (on the Alabama 28 and 22- yard strains) and there was additionally an finish zone interception on a deep go try from the Alabama 41).
There have been entertaining offensive moments. Followers are nonetheless speaking about how Nay’Quan Wright went up the center to truck an Alabama defender, setting a bodily tone for the Bulls. Tight finish Weston Wolff leaped over a would-be Alabama tackler and picked up a primary down. Quarterback Byroom Brown was ultra-resourceful whereas scrambling for 92 yards.
However a solitary discipline objective will not reduce it, significantly when the USF protection delivered considered one of its most notable video games in latest reminiscence, and Bulls coach Alex Golesh is aware of that each one too properly.
One other apparent reality: The Bulls operated in opposition to an Alabama protection that featured at the very least a half-dozen premium NFL draft picks. The competitors stage was formidable. The sport in opposition to Rice will present a extra reasonable measuring stick of the place the Bulls stand as a result of it is an AAC opponent and the Owls are ranked 72nd nationally in complete protection.
Here is how USF can jump-start its offense:
Be Daring, However Good
Golesh has not been a conservative head coach to date. USF is 8-for-15 on fourth-down conversions. In truth, three of USF’s eight touchdowns have occurred on fourth-down performs.
Today, discipline targets are virtually a essential evil in fashionable school soccer. It is a recreation of touchdowns — lots of them — and a defensive cease or two usually decides the result.
“We will be aggressive,” Golesh mentioned. “I like being aggressive. We ask our guys to be aggressive, so now we have to be aggressive (in play calling). However now we have to be good.”
Good Choices In The Pocket
You possibly can’t argue with the general productiveness of Brown, who leads all FBS quarterbacks in dashing yardage (269 yards, 4 touchdowns), whereas being answerable for 15 touchdowns over his final 5 video games (courting to the ultimate two contests of 2022).
However he is finishing simply 51-percent of his passes and had solely 87 passing yards in opposition to Alabama.
“He is a man that you have to get in rhythm early and we’re studying that as we’re going,” Golesh mentioned. “When he is in a rhythm and seems like he can get his toes underneath him, I feel he does not must depend on his toes as a lot. Within the Florida A&M recreation, I assumed he hung in there, felt like he was seeing it.
“Within the second half (in opposition to Alabama), I feel it was occurring actually quick for him. He was like, ‘Man, I am simply going to make it occur,’ which is an unimaginable instrument to have. He has continued to take steps ahead and I am actually not disillusioned. You need for him to belief what’s occurring, get his toes within the floor and throw the soccer. However when he takes off and one thing good occurs, which is shifting the chains, I am completely good.”
Bulls offensive coordinator Joel Gordon mentioned Brown is a extremely superior quarterback, particularly contemplating he has began simply 5 video games at USF.
“There are occasions whenever you need Byrum to actually simply belief his fundamentals within the pocket and undergo his progressions, staying in there so long as he can,” Gordon mentioned. “However there are occasions when there’s simply not the possibility to do this. You inform a younger quarterback to remain in there as a result of he might see one thing down the sector. But when he can get out of there and get it (first down) along with his toes, you do not need to inform him that he is not allowed to make use of his toes. There is a superb line and a stability.”
As a bonus, Golesh mentioned Brown is a great runner, not solely understanding when to slip but additionally discovering methods to keep away from large hits.
“Byrum created first downs along with his pace,” Golesh mentioned. “Certain, there have been throws you’d prefer to have again, however he is an elite chief and he’ll proceed to develop. It takes time. However that is an excuse. And no person right here desires to listen to an excuse. I actually do not. We will hold laying the inspiration and Byrum will hold getting higher as a result of he cares. He is robust as they arrive. He represents precisely what you need this program to be.”
You can make an argument that USF’s finest performs in opposition to Alabama occurred when all of the receivers have been lined and Brown was compelled to scamper for first downs.
And that leads into USF’s subsequent precedence.
Receivers Should Get Open
If USF’s receivers aren’t open, then you definately positively cannot fault Brown for operating, particularly if he retains producing optimistic performs.
“There are a bunch of men in that (receiver) group who’re Uber-talented,” Golesh mentioned. “There are additionally a bunch of men in there nonetheless studying what it is prefer to play soccer at this stage.”
Former walk-on Sean Atkins has been essentially the most constant receiver (16 catches for 142 yards), whereas doubling as the first punt returner.
Golesh mentioned switch Naiem Simmons (Wagner) battled by way of a spring harm and has begun to achieve the arrogance that, “Man, I can play with these dudes” after being ultra-productive on the FCS stage.
Michael Brown-Stephens (Minnesota) does not lack for confidence, however was haunted by accidents all through coaching camp. Jaden Alexis (Texas) additionally has battled accidents, which have restricted his expertise with the Longhorns and Bulls.
Khafre Brown (North Carolina) performed sparingly final season, however flashed with an 84-yard landing catch within the opener at Western Kentucky. And Kelley Joinera operating again all through his USF profession, is making the transition to receiver.
Golesh loves the potential. However he does not have limitless endurance. He desires extra productiveness from the group.
“I instructed our workers final Sunday that after we really actually imagine we’re assured on the market at receiver, we’ll mild this factor up,” Golesh mentioned. “I went by way of this two years in the past (at Tennessee). Comparable state of affairs the place it simply takes time to achieve confidence.
“I’ve tried each Jedi thoughts trick I’ve. We will proceed to work by way of it. I am assured that this group of men is de facto, actually gifted. At no matter level it clicks for them, we’ll be actually, actually environment friendly on this offense. I feel the quarterback (Brown) is taking part in at a excessive sufficient clip that they (passing statistics) ought to be approach higher. And for us to win video games, we have got to be higher.”
Gordon mentioned an improved passing recreation shall be a mirrored image of all the offense, not simply the receivers.
“It is not that we do not have open receivers,” Gordon mentioned. “It won’t be each single play the place there is a man busting free with an entire bunch of separation. However there are guys who’re open and whether or not it is a breakdown at quarterback or with the safety, we have simply been inconsistent. We have to get extra in synch, no query.
“If now we have eight of 11 guys doing a extremely good job, that does not add as much as execution. We’d like 11 guys on a regular basis doing their jobs and that can imply high-level execution.”
First-Down Effectivity
In opposition to Alabama, the Bulls averaged solely 2.6 yards on 35 first-down performs, dashing 11 occasions for 20 yards and going 5-for-15 with 48 yards within the passing recreation. Because of this, 11 of USF’s 17 third-down performs have been third-and-7 or larger.
“The place we received into large hassle was getting behind the sticks, then winding up in a bunch of third-and-11, third-and-12 conditions,” Gordon mentioned. “While you’re third-and-2 or third-and-4, we did fairly good, like 75 % (conversions).
“Getting 4 yards on first down is an entire lot higher than nothing. It is a very manageable state of affairs and you are not feeling the stress of second-and-10. Each down is essential. For our group, it is the self-discipline and element that is wanted to execute each play throughout the board. Now we have merely lacked consistency.”
The underside line?
“We have to play higher and execute higher on offense,” Golesh mentioned. “I do not suppose that is an enormous secret.”
However after struggling in opposition to Alabama, offensive enchancment is USF’s largest key and the ingredient that would result in a victory in opposition to Rice within the AAC opener.
–#GoBulls–
