Week 6 Preview: at Florida State Seminoles
Season Record:1-3, 1-3 Contenders
Head Coach: Jeremy Pruitt (44-37 at Florida State, 7th year, 94-99)
Offensive Coordinator: Eric Morris (Multiple)
Defensive Coordinator: Mike Ruffin (4-3 D)
Team Leaders
Passing: C.J. Williams (900 yards, 9 TD, 3 INT, 147.6 rating)
Rushing: Cooper Hilinski (199 yards, 8.7 ypc, 0 TD)
Receiving: Jed Moore (21 receptions, 313 yards, 4 TD)
Defense: Jacob Little (25 tackles, 4 TFL, 1.5 sacks)
Team Rankings
Points Per Game: 96th
Total Offense: 100th
Rushing Offense: 116th
Passing Offense: 49th
Total Defense: 125th
Rushing Defense: 125th
Passing Defense: 78th
Turnover Differential: 78th
Team Schedule
vs. Nebraska: L 38-24
vs. Arkansas: W 21-20
vs. #23 Ole Miss: L 35-28
vs. Virginia Tech: L 52-21
Seminoles make it interesting but unable to close the deal as Bulls pull away late
After the complete domination of Kansas State by USF, Florida State was intent on providing a competitive challenge to the revamped Bulls offense and for three quarters, they did.
Florida State made it a one-point game with Jed Moore's rushing touchdown on a jet sweep with 3:23 remaining but the Bulls would score two touchdowns in the final minute of the game to put away the Seminoles 42-21 on Saturday night.
USF quarterback Jet Millines started the game and played the entire game for the first time all season after splitting reps with true freshman Mark Cunningham throughout the game. Millines finished 25 of 32 for 294 yards and two touchdowns but did throw his second interception of the season. He also rushed for 42 yards.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
[FSU] D. Gongbay, 3 Yd pass from C. Williams (2:01)
[USF] J. Rutledge, 46 Yd pass from J. Millines (1:40)
Quarter 2
[USF] J. Wheeler, 2 Yd run (6:56)
[USF] E. Valentine, 2 Yd run (0:37)
Quarter 3
[FSU] C. Hilinski, 7 Yd run (4:52)
[USF] K. Wright, 2 Yd run (2:15)
Quarter 4
[FSU] J. Moore, 4 Yd run (3:23)
[USF] E. Valentine, 1 Yd run (1:06)
[USF] J. Rutledge, 4 Yd pass from J. Millines (0:04)
---------------------------------------------------------------- #9 South Florida Bulls
QB Jet Millines: 25 of 32, 294 yards, 2 touchdowns, interception, sacked 3 times, 8 carries, 42 yards
HB Jacob Wheeler: 13 carries, 93 yards, touchdown
HB Kellen Wright: 12 carries, 56 yards, touchdown
HB Eric Valentine: 7 carries, 15 yards, 2 touchdowns
WR Joseph Moses: 8 receptions, 92 yards
WR Carl Graham: 5 receptions, 63 yards
TE Jeff Rutledge: 4 receptions, 75 yards, 2 touchdowns
WR William Sapp: 3 receptions, 31 yards
LB Adrian Bolden: 6 tackles, tackle for loss
S Cody Fuller: 5 tackles, interception
LB Kyle Locher: 3 tackles, tackle for loss, interception
Florida State Seminoles
QB C.J. Williams: 17 of 30, 149 yards, touchdown, 2 interceptions
HB Cooper Hilinski: 24 carries, 160 yards, touchdown
WR Jed Moore: 5 receptions, 50 yards
WR Brandon Patton: 3 receptions, 32 yards
S Jeff Rushing: 11 tackles, tackle for loss, interception
CB Ryan Stevens: 11 tackles, tackle for loss
S Mario Hawkins: 8 tackles
CB Maurice Russell: 4 tackles, sack
DE Jacob Little: 2 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
CB Junior Williams: 2 tackles, sack
Bulls strengthen their IMG pipeline with commitment from defensive end Kyle Wood
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports USF Insider
One of the nation's top defensive end prospects, Kyle Wood, has committed to the University of South Florida, picking the Bulls over in-state Florida and out of state LSU, Michigan State and Texas. The Niceville native has spent the past two seasons at IMG Academy, becoming the seven player from IMG to commit to USF in the past four recruiting cycles.
At six-foot-three, Wood is your prototypical strong side defensive end that does a really good job of setting the edge and being stout against the run despite being a bit on light side at 235 pounds. He's played against elite competition while at IMG and has even shown flashes of being dangerous as a pass rusher although his production as a sack artist hasn't always been there.
Ideally, Wood spends a season or two as a rotational player before competing for a full time role. He has a lot positional versatility as either a five-technique or even a stand-up outside linebacker, akin to how the Bulls are using Marcellus Smith this season in their base 3-4 package. He can also play that wide nine edge position that the Bulls deploy on obvious passing downs if he continues to improve as a pass rusher.
The Bulls hope to pair Wood with another in-state prospect in James Foster out of Tampa Berkeley whose more of a pass rush specialist and would fit in nicely with Wood. The Bulls are the favorite in that recruitment with Stanford trailing behind. They both were on campus for USF's 98-17 drubbing of Kansas State.
2041 USF Recruiting Class
WR Scott Price [ATH #5]: 6'3", 211lbs | Tampa, FL | 5-star | 4.44 40-yd dash, 310 Bench Press Max, 270 Squat Max
DT Shawn Thomas [DT #1]: 6'1", 291lbs | Mount Olive, NC | 5-star | 4.84 40-yd dash, 450 Bench Press Max, 655 Squat Max
DE Kyle Wood [DE #12]: 6'3", 235lbs | Niceview, FL [IMG] | 4-star | 4.74 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press Max, 605 Squat Max
OLB Cory Manson [OLB #9]: 5'11", 220lbs | Daphne, AL | 4-star | 4.62 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press Max, 655 Squat Max
ILB Ryan Robinson [ILB #20]: 6'0", 230lbs | Port St. Lucie, FL | 3-star | 4.48 40-yd dash, 395 Bench Press Max, 560 Squat Max
TE Earl May [FB #2]: 5'10", 236lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 3-star | 4.54 40-yd dash, 400 Bench Press Max, 325 Squat Max
2041 USF Recruiting Board
WR Trey Arnold [WR #2]: 5'11", 171lbs | Miami, FL | 5-star | Miami, Florida State, USF, Florida, Ole Miss
S Clarence Sullivan [S #1]: 6'4", 210lbs | Barnwell, SC [IMG] | 5-star | USF, Penn State, Alabama, USC, Texas
S Julian Harrell [S #2]: 6'2", 179lbs | Fort Lee, VA [IMG] | 4-star | USF, Purdue, BYU, Texas, Tennessee
TE Kris Miller [TE #2]: 6'1", 238lbs | St. Petersburg, FL | 4-star | Michigan State, Stanford, USF, Florida State
ILB Damon Hill [ILB #3]: 6'0", 238lbs | Greater Northdale, FL | 4-star | Florida State, UCF, Florida Atlantic, UAB, USF
CB Ernest Jones [CB #3]: 6'1", 183lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | Florida, Florida State, Miami, USF, Alabama
S Kevin Malloy [S #3]: 6'2", 193lbs | Orlando, FL | 4-star | Florida State, Florida, USF, Miami
DE James Foster [DE #6]: 6'3", 248lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | USF, Toledo, Stanford, Miami University
CB Ronald Berry [CB #6]: 5'9", 172lbs | Bradenton, FL [IMG] | 4-star | USF, Miami, Florida, Florida State, Ole Miss
G Corey Lee [G #9]: 6'1", 301lbs | Punta Gorda, FL [IMG] | 4-star | Miami, USF, Florida, Ole Miss
OLB Charles Moore [OLB #34]: 6'1", 242lbs | Orlando, FL | 3-star | USF, Southern Miss, Miami, Florida
Week 6 Top Stories
1. Stanford defends their home turf as they defeat USC 41-24.
2. All is well in Blacksburg as Hokies down Wisconsin.
3. Purdue takes down a great Penn State team in University Park.
4. Oklahoma shocks #3 Texas in their Red River Rivalry.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 6 Champions Division Results
MSU 26 - GT 17 | MICH 42 - KSU 16 | MIA 49 - ALA 39
STAN 41 - USC 24 | PUR 37 - PSU 14 | UF 24 - LSU 14
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 7 Champions Division Schedule
#8 USF (5-1, 3-1) at #10 Purdue (3-1, 1-0)
#2 Stanford (5-1, 4-1) at #17 Michigan (2-2, 2-1)
Kansas State (1-5, 0-5) at #6 BYU (3-1, 0-1)
#4 Michigan State (5-1, 2-1) at #11 USC (3-2, 3-2)
#18 Alabama (3-3, 3-3) at Tennessee (2-4, 1-4)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 7 Notable Games
#25 Fresno State (5-0, 2-0) at #19 Georgia Tech (2-3, 1-2)
Florida State (1-4, 1-3) at #7 Miami (6-0, 5-0)
#21 SMU (5-0, 2-0) at #3 Middle Tennessee State (5-0, 1-0)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Players of the Week
HB Derrick Smith (Iowa State): 24 carries, 220 yards, 5 touchdowns
CB Nick Patterson (Wyoming): 2 tackles, 3 interceptions
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QB Alvin Holley (Tennessee): 21 of 32, 382 yards, 24 carries, 90 yards, 6 total touchdowns
LB Josh Gary (Michigan State): 6 tackles, tackle for loss, forced fumble, interception
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Top 247 Five-Star Commitments
#4 Stephen Cunningham [ATH #3]: 6'3", 199lbs | New Berlin, WI | 5-star | University of Michigan
#5 Eddie Watson [ATH #4]: 6'1", 208lbs | Center Point, AL | 5-star | University of Alabama
#6 Scott Price [ATH #5]: 6'3", 211lbs | Tampa, FL | 5-star | University of South Florida
#7 Calvin Nicholson [ATH #6]: 6'0", 180lbs | Fargo, ND | 5-star | University of Michigan
#10 Brett Jefferson [HB #2]: 5'9", 173lbs | Marquette, MI | 5-star | Pennsylvania State University
#15 Nate Brown [WR #3]: 5'10", 191lbs | Southside, AL | 5-star | University of Alabama
#18 Marcel Fleming [ATH #12]: 6'1", 201lbs | Lakeland, FL | 5-star | University of Florida
#19 Michael Harrison [HB #3]: 5'11", 190lbs | Brownsville, TX | 5-star | University of Florida
#22 Ricky Maxey [T #1]: 6'5", 280lbs | Hacienda Heights, CA | 5-star | University of Southern California
#30 Shawn Thomas [DT #1]: 6'1", 291lbs | Mount Olive, NC | 5-star | University of South Florida
#31 Justin Johnson [HB #7]: 6'1", 217lbs | Weddington, NC [IMG] | 5-star | University of Florida
#42 Parker Gibson [WR #8]: 6'1", 208lbs | Immokalee, FL | 5-star | University of Alabama
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notable Florida Recruiting Commitments
#6 Scott Price [ATH #5]: 6'3", 211lbs | Tampa, FL | 5-star | University of South Florida
#18 Marcel Fleming [ATH #12]: 6'1", 201lbs | Lakeland, FL | 5-star | University of Florida
#42 Parker Gibson [WR #8]: 6'1", 208lbs | Immokalee, FL | 5-star | University of Alabama
#67 Eugene Carter [HB #10]: 6'0", 213lbs | Orlando, FL | 4-star | University of Florida
#101 Justin Kent [ATH #27]: 5'11", 165lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4-star | Arkansas State University
#114 Phil Ball [DE #5]: 6'2", 252lbs | Orlando, FL | 4-star | University of Florida
#159 Kyle Wood [DE #12]: 6'3", 235lbs | Niceville, FL [IMG] | 4-star | University of South Florida
#172 Jason Coker [DE #13]: 6'3", 273lbs | Boca Raton, FL | 4-star | Florida Atlantic University
#176 Matt Harris [TE #9]: 6'3", 220lbs | Fort Myers, FL | 4-star | University of Oklahoma
#271 Jerry Cannon [G #12]: 6'2", 321lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | University of Oklahoma
#305 Eric Archer [TE #15]: 6'7", 252lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | University of Florida
Week 7 Preview: at #10 Purdue Boilermakers
Season Record: 3-1, 1-0 Champions Division
Head Coach: Brian Polian (108-65 at Purdue, 14th year, 123-87)
Offensive Coordinator: Scott Frost (Spread)
Defensive Coordinator: Brent Venables (4-3 D)
Team Leaders
Passing: Nick Richard (793 yards, 9 TD, 3 INT, 174.5 rating)
Rushing: Cole Coker (338 yards, 5.8 ypc, 4 TD)
Receiving: Jeff Frazier (19 receptions, 362 yards, 3 TD)
Defense: Marcus Stephens (29 tackles, 6 TFL, 1.5 sacks)
Team Rankings
Points Per Game: 23rd
Total Offense: 18th
Rushing Offense: 30th
Passing Offense: 44th
Total Defense: 9th
Rushing Defense: 67th
Passing Defense: 8th
Turnover Differential: 15th
Team Schedule
vs. Eastern Washington: W 38-10
vs. East Carolina: L 27-14
vs. Eastern Michigan: W 49-14
at #14 Penn State: W 37-14
USF scores four touchdowns in closing two minutes of first half to beat Purdue
Through one and a half quarter, Purdue had thoroughly dominated USF's defense with their running game and on defense, they had forced USF's offense to return to the platoon system at quarterback with Jet Millines and Mark Cunningham rotating to the tune of just three points with less than three minutes remaining the first half.
Cunningham would lead a touchdown drive to make it 17-10 and then Purdue's lead quickly evaporated.
Purdue quarterback Nick Richard would be stripped on the ensuing drive and the fumble returned for a touchdown and then proceeded to throw back-to-back pick sixes before the end of the half as the Bulls leveraged that surge to beat the Boilermakers 45-31.
The streak of turnovers continued into the second half with Richard throwing his third interception of the day and fourth straight drive to end with a turnover. The Bulls capitalized with Jet Millines throwing his first and only touchdown of the day on a dump off pass to running back Kellen Wright who did all the work afterwards.
USF head coach Malcolm Francois Sr. said after the game that the team will continue to make the best decision for the team on a game to game, series to series basis as to who will play at quarterback. Millines played the entire Florida State game but was never officially named the starter over Cunningham. Cunningham replaced Millines after three drives and finished the first half. Millines started the second half before being replaced by Cunningham midway through the third quarter who finished the second half as well.
Richard would get back on track, leading two scoring drives in the second half but it wasn't enough as Purdue ran out of time and the Bulls were able to lean on their running game to bleed out the clock.
The Boilermakers outgained USF on the ground, in the passing game, had a better third down conversation rate, a better redzone percentage but the four turnovers were just too much to overcome.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
[PUR] R. Jones, 27 Yd FG (3:16)
[USF] C. Sanders, 47 Yd FG (1:31)
Quarter 2
[PUR] D. James, 10 Yd pass from N. Richard (7:06)
[PUR] D. James, 6 Yd pass from N. Richard (4:25)
[USF] M. Cunningham, 1 Yd run (2:03)
[USF] J. McDonald, returned fumble 33 Yds (1:51)
[USF] M. Robinson, returned interception 29 Yds (1:45)
[USF] A. Smith, returned interception 44 Yds (0:55)
Quarter 3
[USF] K. Wright, 32 Yd pass from J. Millines (6:03)
[PUR] N. Richard, 7 Yd run (1:52)
Quarter 4
[USF] J. Wheeler, 7 Yd run (7:44)
[PUR] J. Frazier, 7 Yd pass from N. Richard (1:04)
---------------------------------------------------------------- #8 South Florida Bulls
QB Jet Millines: 9 of 16, 114 yards, touchdown, sacked once
QB Mark Cunningham: 9 of 18, 131 yards, 4 carries, 25 yards, touchdown
HB Jacob Wheeler: 17 carries, 82 yards, touchdown
HB Kellen Wright: 10 carries, 39 yards, 3 receptions, 47 yards, touchdown
HB Eric Valentine: 5 carries, 27 yards
WR Alston Marks: 4 receptions, 85 yards
WR Joseph Moses: 3 receptions, 44 yards
TE Jeff Rutledge: 3 receptions, 16 yards, fumble (lost)
LB Adrian Bolden: 12 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, forced fumble
S Michael Robinson: 9 tackles, interception, touchdown
S Cody Fuller: 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
CB Brian Carter: 8 tackles, interception
CB Akeem Smith: 1 tackle, interception, touchdown
Week 7 Top Stories
1. USC notches a conference win behind the arm of Prater against Michigan State.
2. Miami University opens conference play with a win over Northern Illinois.
3. The Cougars pound Kansas State to improve to 1-1 in Champions Division.
4. The home field hex is alive and well as Hurricanes win close one against Florida State.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 7 Champions Division Results
USF 45 - PUR 31 | MICH 49 - STAN 21 | BYU 28 - KSU 7
USC 34 - MSU 31 | ALA 52 - TENN 27
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 8 Champions Division Schedule
Florida (3-4, 2-4) at #20 Georgia Tech (3-3, 1-2)
Tennessee (2-5, 1-5) at #8 USC (4-2, 4-2)
#11 Stanford (5-2, 4-2) at LSU (2-5, 2-4)
#13 Texas (3-2, 2-1) at #14 Michigan (3-2, 3-1)
Kansas State (1-6, 0-6) at #18 Purdue (3-2, 1-1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 8 Notable Games
#19 Alabama (4-3, 4-3) at Ole Miss (3-3, 3-3)
#1 Rutgers (5-0, 3-0) at ECU (4-1, 3-0)
Pittsburgh (4-1, 2-0) at #23 Virginia Tech (4-3, 3-3)
#2 Utah (5-0, 2-0) at #25 Arizona (5-0, 1-0)
Connecticut (4-2, 3-1) at #17 Navy (4-1, 3-1)
Kent State (4-1, 1-0) at #7 Miami University (5-0, 1-0)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Players of the Week
QB Jacob Beebe (Toledo): 13 of 21, 165 yards, 34 carries, 195 yards, 5 total touchdowns
DT Brian McKenzie (Buffalo): 10 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, sack, 2 forced fumble, fumble recovery
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HB Juwan Vick (Florida): 33 carries, 229 yards, 3 touchdowns
LB Adrian Bolden (USF): 12 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack, forced fumble
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Top 247 Five-Star Commitments
#1 Nate Cox [WR #1]: 6'5", 206lbs | Bremerton, WA [IMG] | 5-star | University of Southern California
#4 Stephen Cunningham [ATH #3]: 6'3", 199lbs | New Berlin, WI | 5-star | University of Michigan
#5 Eddie Watson [ATH #4]: 6'1", 208lbs | Center Point, AL | 5-star | University of Alabama
#6 Scott Price [ATH #5]: 6'3", 211lbs | Tampa, FL | 5-star | University of South Florida
#7 Calvin Nicholson [ATH #6]: 6'0", 180lbs | Fargo, ND | 5-star | University of Michigan
#10 Brett Jefferson [HB #2]: 5'9", 173lbs | Marquette, MI | 5-star | Pennsylvania State University
#15 Nate Brown [WR #3]: 5'10", 191lbs | Southside, AL | 5-star | University of Alabama
#16 Cliff Cox [ATH #11]: 6'0", 210lbs | Fairfield, CA | 5-star | University of Oregon
#18 Marcel Fleming [ATH #12]: 6'1", 201lbs | Lakeland, FL | 5-star | University of Florida
#19 Michael Harrison [HB #3]: 5'11", 190lbs | Brownsville, TX | 5-star | University of Florida
#22 Ricky Maxey [T #1]: 6'5", 280lbs | Hacienda Heights, CA | 5-star | University of Southern California
#24 Andrew Crews [WR #6]: 6'2", 196lbs | Talladega, AL | 5-star | University of Alabama
#28 Seth Merritt [CB #1]: 5'11", 181lbs | Hoover, AL | 5-star | University of Tennessee
#30 Shawn Thomas [DT #1]: 6'1", 291lbs | Mount Olive, NC | 5-star | University of South Florida
#31 Justin Johnson [HB #7]: 6'1", 217lbs | Weddington, NC [IMG] | 5-star | University of Florida
#33 Mike Elliott [QB #1]: 6'2", 206lbs | Anniston, AL | 5-star | University of Tennessee
#37 Patrick Washington [ATH #14]: 6'0", 217lbs | Marysville, MI | 5-star | University of Toledo
#42 Parker Gibson [WR #8]: 6'1", 208lbs | Immokalee, FL | 5-star | University of Alabama
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notable Florida Recruiting Commitments
#6 Scott Price [ATH #5]: 6'3", 211lbs | Tampa, FL | 5-star | University of South Florida
#18 Marcel Fleming [ATH #12]: 6'1", 201lbs | Lakeland, FL | 5-star | University of Florida
#42 Parker Gibson [WR #8]: 6'1", 208lbs | Immokalee, FL | 5-star | University of Alabama
#66 Daniel Dorsey [CB #4]: 5'11", 166lbs | Pompano Beach, FL | 4-star | University of Miami
#67 Eugene Carter [HB #10]: 6'0", 213lbs | Orlando, FL | 4-star | University of Florida
#101 Justin Kent [ATH #27]: 5'11", 165lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4-star | Arkansas State University
#114 Phil Ball [DE #5]: 6'2", 252lbs | Orlando, FL | 4-star | University of Florida
#115 Isaac Gooden [HB #15]: 6'0", 200lbs | Clearwater, FL | 4-star | University of Southern Miss
#117 James Foster [DE #6]: 6'3", 248lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#124 Jerry Davis [G #5]: 6'1", 277lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | University of Miami
#159 Kyle Wood [DE #12]: 6'3", 235lbs | Niceville, FL [IMG] | 4-star | University of South Florida
#172 Jason Coker [DE #13]: 6'3", 273lbs | Boca Raton, FL | 4-star | Florida Atlantic University
#176 Matt Harris [TE #9]: 6'3", 220lbs | Fort Myers, FL | 4-star | University of Oklahoma
#271 Jerry Cannon [G #12]: 6'2", 321lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | University of Oklahoma
#305 Eric Archer [TE #15]: 6'7", 252lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | University of Florida
Four-star Tampa defensive end James Foster commits to hometown Bulls
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports USF Insider
Tampa Berkeley defensive end James Foster has committed to the University of South Florida, shutting down his recruitment as the nation's sixth ranked defensive end prospect.
Hillsborough County's sack leader for the past two seasons, Foster had been a strong USF lean since he came onto the scene as a talented pass rusher during his sophomore season at Berkeley.
Foster has only continued to grow physically and evolve as a player, becoming a more well rounded edge rusher over the years. Foster is still a bit dependent on his signature bull rush and ability to translate speed into power. He'll need to add more pass rushing moves and setups to his repertoire but he's got the right base to be an eventual All-American level talent for the Bulls.
Foster joins Kyle Wood -- the twelveth ranked defensive end -- and Shawn Thomas -- top ranked defensive tackle -- as the defensive linemen in USF's class which continues to trend towards a top three class and currently sits at number four being Florida, Tennessee and USC. Alabama currently has four five-stars committed to round out the top five.
USF is hoping to add to the class in coming weeks with top talent scheduled to be on campus for official visits including St. Pete tight end Kris Miller who will be on campus this week during the Bulls bye week. The four-tar prospect has taken an official visit to TCU and will be visiting Michigan State and Washington later in the season. The Spartans are the Crystal Ball favorites in that recruitment.
Coming out of the bye against Georgia Tech on homecoming week, USF is having a big recruiting weekend with five-star receiver Trey Arnold expected to take his official visit that weekend along with four-star corners Ernest Jones and Ronald Berry, four-star safeties Julian Harrell and Kevin Malloy and four-star inside linebacker Damon Hill.
2041 USF Recruiting Class
WR Scott Price [ATH #5]: 6'3", 211lbs | Tampa, FL | 5-star | 4.44 40-yd dash, 310 Bench Press Max, 270 Squat Max
DT Shawn Thomas [DT #1]: 6'1", 291lbs | Mount Olive, NC | 5-star | 4.84 40-yd dash, 450 Bench Press Max, 655 Squat Max
DE Kyle Wood [DE #12]: 6'3", 235lbs | Niceview, FL [IMG] | 4-star | 4.74 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press Max, 605 Squat Max
OLB Cory Manson [OLB #9]: 5'11", 220lbs | Daphne, AL | 4-star | 4.62 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press Max, 655 Squat Max
ILB Ryan Robinson [ILB #20]: 6'0", 230lbs | Port St. Lucie, FL | 3-star | 4.48 40-yd dash, 395 Bench Press Max, 560 Squat Max
TE Earl May [FB #2]: 5'10", 236lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 3-star | 4.54 40-yd dash, 400 Bench Press Max, 325 Squat Max
2041 USF Recruiting Board
WR Trey Arnold [WR #2]: 5'11", 171lbs | Miami, FL | 5-star | Miami, USF
S Clarence Sullivan [S #1]: 6'4", 210lbs | Barnwell, SC [IMG] | 5-star | USF, Penn State, Alabama, USC, Texas
S Julian Harrell [S #2]: 6'2", 179lbs | Fort Lee, VA [IMG] | 4-star | Tennessee, USF
TE Kris Miller [TE #2]: 6'1", 238lbs | St. Petersburg, FL | 4-star | Michigan State, USF, Washington, TCU
ILB Damon Hill [ILB #3]: 6'0", 238lbs | Greater Northdale, FL | 4-star | Ole Miss, USF, UCF, Florida Atlantic
CB Ernest Jones [CB #3]: 6'1", 183lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | Miami, Florida State, Florida, USF
S Kevin Malloy [S #3]: 6'2", 193lbs | Orlando, FL | 4-star | Florida State, Washington, USF, Ole Miss
DE James Foster [DE #6]: 6'3", 248lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | USF, Toledo, Stanford, Miami University
CB Ronald Berry [CB #6]: 5'9", 172lbs | Bradenton, FL [IMG] | 4-star | Miami, USF, Ole Miss
G Corey Lee [G #9]: 6'1", 301lbs | Punta Gorda, FL [IMG] | 4-star | Miami, USF
OLB Charles Moore [OLB #34]: 6'1", 242lbs | Orlando, FL | 3-star | Miami, USF, Southern Miss
Bye Week Report: Even with stumble against three-loss Alabama, USF looking like the Bulls of old
Anthony Washington -- The Tampa Bay Chronicles
Three of Alabama's four wins this season have come against Penn State (4-3 record), LSU (2-5) and USF, who they beat with their backup quarterback and rushed for a school record 500 yards only to follow it up with back-to-back losses to Florida and Miami.
So what does the Alabama loss really say about USF?
Their kryptonite is clear, ranking 75th in the country in rushing defense, allowing 188.6 yards per game but it has shown flashes of being decent, most notably holding Southern Miss' potent rushing offense to just 16 yards. Kansas State has a respectable rushing attack and rushed for only 56 yards in the 98-17 beatdown.
The offense is much improved, even if the counting numbers are skewed by the win over the Wildcats with improvements across the board, especially in the passing game which has featured two quarterbacks in Jet Millines and Mark Cunningham. The once puzzling and potentially frantic arrangement of not having a starting quarterback has worked out for USF with not much downside.
"We show up every day and compete," Millines said of his relationship with the true freshman, "It's not negative or anything like that but we're not holding each other's hand or anything, we're holding each other accountable. If I mess up, he lets me know it and vice versa, we're competitive and we both want to be out there so we fuel each other. When he makes a play, he's talking smack to me and it's all fun and the same with me, I'll let him know. 'You ain't getting on the field today', that kind of thing and it's just fun man, I'm really enjoying it."
Both Millines and Cunningham are top ten in passing yards and passer rating in the Champions Division and both are top six in completion percentage. Millines is fifth in passing touchdowns with sixteen.
Team Schedule
vs. LSU (2-5): W 20-12
at Florida (3-4): W 63-9
vs. Southern Miss (3-3): W 52-10
at #19 Alabama (4-3): L 61-56
vs. Kansas State (1-6): W 98-17
at Florida State (1-5): W 42-21
at #18 Purdue (3-2): W 45-31
Midseason Award - Most Valuable Player
Even while splitting time, Jet Millines has been USF's best player with sixteen passing touchdowns and is second on the team in rushing yards and leads the team with seven yards per carry.
The big improvement from Millines has been the turnovers with just two interceptions and no fumbles on the season after throwing twelve interceptions last year and fumbling six times. If Millines had been the full-time starter and kept the same production pace, he could be looking at a Heisman worthy campaign as he's slated to throw for nearly 3,000 yards and rush for 500 yards while quarterbacking for a little over half of the team's offensive drives this season.
Midseason Award - Most Improved Player
Millines could also win this award but mixing it up, it has to be Jeff Rutledge, the tight end known as 'Silverback' among his teammates.
With his giant mitts for hands, Rutledge has already reeled in 34 catches this season after catching ten passes last year as a blocking tight end during his freshman season. Even with the fumble last week, Rutledge has been one of the Bulls most reliable receivers with no dropped passes on the year and averaging 62.7 yards per game this year, third highest on the team and a team-leading ten touchdowns.
Midseason Award - Best Freshman
Jacob Wheeler somehow didn't touch the football until the second quarter of last week's win against Purdue and as soon as he did, good things started happening for USF's offense.
On the year, Wheeler is averaging 6.2 yards per carry and leads the team in carries and rushing yards. He's also two touchdowns behind Eric Valentine with six on the season as a runner and has even caught two touchdown passes as a receiver.
Cunningham also makes a solid case but with Wheeler at this point being USF's most consistent back, he gets the edge. On defense, brothers Brandon and Marcellus Smith make a solid case in terms of just how much the team is playing them as well as redshirt freshman Travis Jones at corner along with true freshman cornerback Akeem Smith who had a pick six last week.
Midseason Superlative - Most Disappointing Unit
The offensive line is starting to turn it around, especially in the running game, but there are still spots where the running attack in inconsistent and both quarterbacks have been heavily pressured at times.
Dane Clay's been up and down at left guard while true freshman Kyle Jones can occasionally be overpowered at center so hopefully the bye week gives these first time starters some time to catch their breath and break through that wall to compete at a higher level on the back half of the season.
ANAC to move forward with contraction following an unanimous vote among board of directors
Jessica West -- SI.com
The board of directors for American National Athletic Conference (ANAC) met on Monday and voted unanimously to move forward with their contraction plan which will reduce the number of teams in the conference from 48 members to 42.
The vote was an important and needed hurdle for the conference to begin discussions of realignment with the expected outcome being a ten-team Champions Division where each team would play each other as opposed to the current sixteen team format. Through the first few seasons, the East Region of the Champions Division has dominated the division with the likes of Alabama and USF.
In the proposed new format, the relegation system would remain in effect. It's unclear who the contracted six teams are but they are expected to come from the ANAC's lower division, the Rising Division. Kentucky, Duke, West Virginia and South Carolina are among those that never been promoted out of the Rising Division and likely on the chopping block. None of the current members of the Champions or Contenders Division are expected to be contracted.
Per conference bylaws, the contracted schools would receive a financial buyout.
