Run of the Bulls ‣ USF Football News
Andrew Lake -- 247 Sports Staff Writer
‣ Jones, McDonald present at practice and expected to play this weekend
USF true freshman quarterback Jeff Jones cleared concussion protocols this Tuesday and was at practice with his team after missing the second half of the Bulls loss to Ole Miss.
Jones missed Monday's practice but was spotted at Tuesday practice, a sign that he could be available this week. USF head coach Malcolm Francois Sr. then confirmed to the media on Wednesday that Jones had cleared concussion protocols and that his status for their game against #8 Alabama was "looking good".
Francois Sr. also commented that wide receiver Max McDonald has also been a full participant at practice this week. McDonald left the Ole Miss game with an ankle injury early in the first quarter and did not return. McDonald's injury led to plenty of playing time for true freshman Kevin Morris. The six-foot-seven wideout caught five passes in what was his first extended outing of the season.
‣ Five-star RB Jackson receives Crystal Ball to Alabama
A Miami Hurricanes 247 Sports contributor has filled in a Crystal Ball for Alabama in the recruitment of five-star running back Bobby Jackson.
Jackson had long been linked to either USF or Ole Miss with Alabama being viewed as a distant third by most in the recruiting industry. Jackson is set to visit USF this weekend and Ole Miss later this season as well as trips to Florida State and Miami. For Alabama to receive a CB from a non-Alabama source does raise eyebrows, especially as he's scheduled to arrive in Tampa soon for his official visit.
‣ USF WR Cunningham will try to play against Alabama
For the second year in a row, a shoulder injury has sidelined wide receiver Brent Cunningham for a portion of the season but the senior receiver will try to tough it out against Alabama.
Cunningham is still recovering from a shoulder injury that's kept him out of all but two plays this season. He practiced with the team on Monday, wearing a red, non-contact jersey before sitting out Tuesday's practice and being limited on Wednesday. The coaches and players have remained mum on the subject but sources tell 247 Sports that Cunningham will try to suit up against Alabama after missing last year's game.
Jones outlasts the Crimson Tide defense in a 46-45 shootout
The usually stoic Jeff Jones was almost brought to tears. It wasn't just because Alabama defensive back Darren McMahan had just intercepted his pass and potentially ended the game -- although that too -- but because he had allowed McMahan and the Alabama defense to fool him into thinking it was man defense and throwing the ball right into a sitting McMahan.
When Jones would throw a touchdown pass just moments later to make it a one-point game pending the extra point, he calmly held up two fingers to the USF sideline. After he threw the game winning two-point conversion to Bryan Mangum, he simply stared down the Alabama bench. New York, make room.
Jones' potential Heisman culminated the Bulls 46-45 comeback victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide on a rainy Saturday night in what was yet another thrilling edition of the budding USF - Alabama rivalry.
He had been intercepted in the first quarter with Ryan Hunter returning it for a touchdown to tie the game but it wasn't enough to slow down a USF offense that jumped out to a 24-21 lead at halftime.
The Bulls defense got a stop to start the second half but then their struggles began, allowing back to back touchdowns on a 65-yard touchdown pass and then a methodical drive on the next which led to USF head coach Malcolm Francois Sr. imploding on the sideline.
Jones eventually got it going again, connecting on a one-yard touchdown pass to Max McDonald and then going back to McDonald for a 20-yard touchdown after the Bulls defense got a stop, giving them what would be a brief 38-35 lead.
The Bulls defense was able to force a fourth and one on the next drive, deep in USF territory and Alabama head coach Kevin Sherrer decided to play the long game, sending his kicker out their to kick a field goal and tie the game.
It appeared to be the wrong move as USF was now driving and also draining the clock but Jones' second interception of the day changed that. It was Francois Sr's turn now to make an executive decision, relaying to defensive coordinator Bob Shoop to let the offense score and they did on a 26-yard catch and run touchdown with 1:42 left in the game to give Alabama a seven point lead.
Francois Sr. wanted to give his quarterback the ball back and a chance to win the game as opposed to being stuck on the sidelines and Jones rewarded that trust, converting multiple third downs to get USF within scoring distance but they were running out of time and timeouts.
With an exhausted Matthew Smith (8 receptions, 76 yards) on the sidelines and the defense most likely keying on Max McDonald (14 receptions, 157 yards, 4 touchdowns) and Alabama native Robert Givens (6 receptions, 51 yards, touchdown), Jones went to his blocking tight end Keith Oliver who not only caught the ball but broke a tackle as he ran into the endzone.
Once USF decided to go for two, Alabama would exhaust his timeouts in trying to ice the true freshman quarterback or give Francois Sr. pause on going for it. Every time, the offense lined up and when the ball was snapped, the Tide appeared to have shut down the quick slant to Givens but left Mangum wide open in the endzone.
Touchdown, USF.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
[USF] M. McDonald, 7 Yd pass from J. Jones (4:38)
[ALA] R. Hunter, returned interception 82 Yds (1:26)
[USF] M. McDonald, 13 Yd pass from J. Jones (0:00)
Quarter 2
[ALA] K. Charles, 18 Yd pass from H. Parks (6:31)
[USF] R. Givens, 4 Yd pass from J. Jones (4:33)
[ALA] M. Neal, 3 Yd run (3:34)
[USF] B. Henry, 45 Yd FG (0:17)
Quarter 3
[ALA] M. Williamson, 65 Yd pass from H. Parks (5:19)
[ALA] R. Smith, 13 Yd run (3:19)
[USF] M. McDonald, 1 Yd pass from J. Jones (1:01)
Quarter 4
[USF] M. McDonald, 20 Yd pass from J. Jones (6:24)
[ALA] T. Meeks, 42 Yd FG (4:44)
[ALA] M. Neal, 26 Yd pass from H. Parks (1:42)
[USF] K. Oliver, 22 Yd pass from J. Jones -- 2pt (0:06)
---------------------------------------------------------------- #11 South Florida Bulls
QB Jeff Jones: 49 of 65, 572 yards, 6 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, sacked 3 times.
HB William Jones: 11 carries, 36 yards.
HB Danny Felder: 5 carries, 14 yards (left game in 1st qtr with injury).
WR Max McDonald: 14 receptions, 157 yards, 4 touchdowns.
WR Bryan Mangum: 9 receptions, 151 yards.
TE Matthew Smith: 8 receptions, 76 yards.
WR Robert Givens: 6 receptions, 51 yards, touchdown.
WR Brent Cunningham: 5 receptions, 68 yards.
TE Keith Oliver: 2 receptions, 33 yards, touchdown.
LB Chris Williams: 8 tackles, tackle for loss.
LB Willie Lawrence: 8 tackles, tackle for loss.
#8 Alabama Crimson Tide
QB Herman Parks: 17 of 22, 297 yards, 3 touchdowns, 12 carries, 65 yards.
HB Rashad Smith: 14 carries, 144 yards, touchdown, 3 receptions, 43 yards.
WR Rob Henderson: 4 receptions, 49 yards.
WR Matt Williamson: 3 receptions, 96 yards, touchdown.
WR Kyle Charles: 3 receptions, 38 yards, touchdown.
S Luis Whitehead: 10 tackles.
CB Ryan Hunter: 6 tackles, interception, touchdown.
CB Darren McMahan: 5 tackles, interception.
Week 6 Top Stories
1. Notre Dame notches a conference win against Syracuse behind the arm of Perry.
2. The shocker of the week is #10 Minnesota falling to Big Ten rival Army.
3. The Cornhuskers edge out Michigan despite the 113,700 in The Big House.
4. Oklahoma State explodes for 42 points against Big 12 rival Kansas State.
5. Eastern Michigan triumphs over Ohio in a MAC riot.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 6 SEC Results
USF 46 - ALA 45 | MISS 35 - MEM 10 | OU 24 - ARK 17 | TENN 49 - WYOM 7 | MIA 49 - AUB 16
TEX 28 - BC 14 | FSU 49 - UMD 24 | UGA 42 - SCAR 28 | LSU 41 - WASH 38
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 7 SEC Schedule
Texas (2-3, 1-3) at #9 Oklahoma (5-1, 4-1)
Texas State (1-3, 0-0) at #23 Miami (3-3, 2-3)
Texas A&M (2-2, 2-1) at #4 Ole Miss (5-0, 3-0)
Mississippi State (3-2, 1-1) at Tennessee (3-3, 1-3)
#14 Alabama (3-2, 3-1) at #25 Georgia (3-3, 2-3)
Kentucky (0-4, 0-3) at Auburn (3-2, 1-1)
#13 LSU (5-1, 3-1) at Florida (1-4, 0-4)
South Carolina (3-3, 3-2) at Arkansas (3-3, 3-3)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 7 Notable Games
#7 USC (4-1, 4-1) at Colorado (4-1, 1-1)
#19 Washington (3-1, 1-0) at #10 Stanford (5-0, 5-0)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Players of the Week
QB Nick Robinson (Miami): 19 of 26, 302 yards, 30 carries, 178 yards, 5 total touchdowns.
LB John Williams (West Virginia): 8 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, interception.
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QB Nick Robinson (Miami): 19 of 26, 302 yards, 30 carries, 178 yards, 5 total touchdowns.
CB Corey Washington (Georgia): 2 tackles, 2 interceptions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Top 247 Five-Star Commitments
#1 Michael Spurlock [HB #1]: 6'1", 198lbs | Dunwoody, GA | 5-star | Notre Dame University
#8 John Lowe [WR #1]: 5'11", 185lbs | Kingwood, TX | 5-star | University of Southern California
#10 Josh Anderson [ILB #2]: 6'2", 229lbs | Wiggins, MS | 5-star | University of South Florida
#14 Pat Blanco [TE #2]: 6'8", 240lbs | Lansing, MI | 5-star | University of Oklahoma
#23 Alton Wagner [ATH #9]: 6'2", 316lbs | Wylie, TX | 5-star | University of New Mexico
#24 Chris Wallace [TE #3]: 6'1", 218lbs | Plantation, FL | 5-star | University of South Florida
#27 Grant Nichols [TE #4]: 6'4", 230lbs | Pinewood, FL | 5-star | University of Minnesota
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notable Florida Recruiting Commitments
#24 Chris Wallace [TE #3]: 6'1", 218lbs | Plantation, FL | 5-star | University of South Florida
#27 Grant Nichols [TE #4]: 6'4", 230lbs | Pinewood, FL | 5-star | University of Minnesota
#31 Jeremy Daniels [CB #2]: 6'0", 167lbs | Bradenton, FL [IMG] | 5-star | USF, Georgia Tech
#40 Donnie Kelly [HB #6]: 5'10", 176lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | Auburn University
#75 Sean Bush [TE #7]: 6'2", 229lbs | Boca Del Mar, FL | 4-star | Duke University
#108 Michael Scott [WR #15]: 5'9", 181lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | Florida State University
#110 Jordan Odom [DE #12]: 6'3", 247lbs | Port Charlotte, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#151 Kyle Wheeler [ATH #35]: 6'3", 188lbs | Pompano Beach, FL | 4-star | University of Miami
#180 Tim Morrison [G #6]: 6'7", 318lbs | Jasmine Estates, FL | 4-star | Naval Academy
#201 Kevin Morris [OLB #9]: 6'6", 227lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | University of Florida
Five-star linebacker Anderson among commitments from big recruiting weekend for Bulls
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports USF Insider
There might not have been more talent in a mile radius than at Raymond James Stadium when USF not only hosted Alabama but twelve top recruits, including five-star linebacker Josh Anderson and five-star running back Bobby Jackson.
Jackson left without a commitment but Anderson did commit to the Bulls, as did four-star cornerback Jeremy Daniels, four-star safety Fred Harris and four-star defensive tackle Russ Bailey.
The team's highest ranked recruit now, Anderson is an uber athletic linebacker and his high school's team all-time leading rusher. Anderson could add some more physicality to his game and he'll likely never be a true thumper but he's physical enough to play inside linebacker at the next level although he plays more and more on the outside in high school, especially when they face passing and spread teams. The Bulls will likely flirt with potentially playing him at Will but with the need at Mike linebacker, Anderson is a potential day-one starter next season.
Behind Anderson will be another borderline five-star in Daniels, who has recently been bumped down to a four-star but has five-star talent. One of the fastest players in the state, Daniels has ties to the Tampa area and is a Bradenton native that got the opportunity to play at IMG Academy, one of the top schools in the country. Daniels was teammates with several current Bulls player as well as another Bulls commit in five-star tight end Chris Wallace and four-star safety Fred Harris.
On the field, Daniels fits the mold of a Bulls corner at six-foot and 167 pounds, he's a coverage technician that is never going to be a force of nature physically. The Bulls could potentially lose Damien Ford to the draft early and with a senior in Adam Kelly at the other top corner spot, Daniels is all but guaranteed playing time next season.
A player that likely won't be on the field a ton next season but not due to a lack of talent is Daniels' teammate in Harris who is originally from Michigan. He'll be behind two talented safeties in former five-star Clayton Bradford and four-star Zach Mack who have made a ton of plays as sophomores. Harris' size and physicality against the run could get him on the field in sub packages where the defense wants multiple defensive backs but also be able to stop the run, something they've struggled with this season.
USF landed another top 130 player in Bailey out of Texas. They went head to head with the University of Texas and got the commitment of the versatile defensive tackle. He's a bit undersized at 267 pounds and too slow to play defensive end at the next level, kicking him inside. Like Harris, he'll likely be stuck behind a lot of other talented players at his position but his unique skills as an interior pass rusher could develop him into a situational player by year two and three.
2034 USF Recruiting Class
LB Josh Anderson [ILB #2]: 6'2", 229lbs | Wiggins, MS | 5-star | 4.54 40-yd dash, 440 Bench Press Max, 605 Squat Max
TE Chris Wallace [TE #3]: 6'1", 218lbs | Plantation, FL | 5-star | 4.62 40-yd dash, 420 Bench Press Max, 315 Squat Max
CB Jeremy Daniels [CB #2]: 6'0", 167lbs | Bradenton, FL [IMG] | 4-star | 4.32 40-yd dash, 340 Bench Press Max, 220 Squat Max
S Fred Harris [S #2]: 6'2", 190lbs | Port Huron, MI [IMG] | 4-star | 4.62 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press Max, 345 Squat Max
DE Jordan Odom [DE #12]: 6'3", 247lbs | Port Charlotte, FL | 4-star | 4.62 40-yd dash, 400 Bench Press Max, 580 Squat Max
DT Russ Bailey [DT #10]: 6'2", 267lbs | San Antonio, TX | 4-star | 5.20 40-yd dash, 420 Bench Press Max, 645 Squat Max
LB Clint Parker [OLB #27]: 6'3", 231lbs | Fort Gordon, GA | 3-star | 4.56 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press Max, 640 Squat Max
2034 USF Recruiting Board
HB Bobby Jackson [HB #2]: 5'9", 187lbs | Lehigh Acres, FL | 5-star | USF, Ole Miss, Alabama
HB/WR Stephen Jenkins [ATH #3]: 6'2", 215lbs | Waynesboro, PA | 5-star | USF, Ole Miss, Syracuse
HB/WR Daniel Green [ATH #4]: 5'10", 187lbs | Florence, AL | 5-star | USF, Miami, Alabama, Ohio State
CB Chuck Jennings [CB #1]: 6'0", 192lbs | Canyon Lake, TX | 5-star | USF, LSU, Kansas State
WR Will Green [WR #2]: 6'4", 197lbs | Miami, FL | 5-star | USF, Ole Miss, Miami
LB Travis Thomas [OLB #1]: 6'0", 234lbs | Dolton, IL | 4-star | USF, Miami, Florida State
DE Luke Cason [DE #8]: 6'3", 273lbs | Monrovia, CA | 4-star | Missouri, Oregon, USF
G Eric Johnson [G #2]: 6'1", 302lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | USF, Miami, Kansas State, Wisconsin, Florida
G Dennis Woods [G #4]: 6'4", 321lbs | Mission, TX | 4-star | USF, Florida State, Ole Miss
S Alex Griffith [S #12]: 6'0", 218lbs | St. Simons, GA | 3-star | USF, Florida, Ohio
P Vince Baker [P #2]: 6'2", 199lbs | River Ridge, LA | 3-star | LSU, Texas, USF
T Steven Ham [T #69]: 6'2", 293lbs | Tampa, FL | 3-star | USF, LA Tech, Missouri
Bye Week Report: USF offensive coordinator Malcolm Francois Jr. found himself in his quarterback
Anthony Washington -- The Tampa Bay Chronicles
It was nearing the start of fall camp and three of the top prep quarterbacks had all visited USF's campus throughout the month of August and as customary with top recruits, held court with USF head coach Malcolm Francois Sr. They all intimated to the coach, through one way or another, that they would be very open to the idea of coming to USF and picking the Bulls as their top choice.
Newly promoted USF offensive coordinator Malcolm Francois Jr. was also in the room for those discussions. Francois Jr's promotion, on the surface, appeared to be one in title only which one could presume came with a raise. Francois Sr. would still be the team's offensive play caller after leading them to a national championship the year before and Francois Jr. would continue to mostly work with the receivers.
Francois Sr. afforded his son the opportunity to not only care the offensive coordinator title on paper but also in practice, literally. Francois Jr. would install his own game plans and even plays during the reserve scrimmages on Sunday which mainly consisted of walk-ons and players that weren't on the two-deep. The two would also go over game film together with Sr. almost quizzing his son on what he saw on key downs, what he would call and continue to groom him to eventually be the offensive coordinator in both title and game day operations.
Francois Jr. is his father's son and in a lot of ways he isn't. Francois Sr. is fiery, energetic, competitive and downright ruthless at times, both to opposing teams and his own if the situation calls for it. You don't have to look further than the third quarter of last week's win over Alabama when the Bulls defense was struggling. Francois Jr. is reserved, tempered, cerebral as he diligently goes through his play call sheet, looks up at the opposing sidelines and back onto the laminated sheet in front of him.
The Bulls head coach tasked his offensive coordinator with having the final say on what would happen at quarterback, it'd be his call since by then, he already knew that Jr. would be taking over play calling duties the following season and ultimately coaching whoever they wound up with. The younger Francois liked all three quarterbacks -- Tampa's Jesse King, IMG's Jeff Jones and Alabama's Frank Buchanan. Buchanan was the top rated quarterback while King was the hometown kid with both quarterbacks having prototypical size for the position. The safer option would be King, he was already a fan darling due to leading Tampa Tech to a state title and Buchanan was the top quarterback, can't go wrong with that either. USF and Francois Jr. went with neither.
When it was time for the Bulls to name a starter, Francois Jr. also went out on a limb and chose the true freshman over a player in Thomas Jackson that had played in several games last season and played well, at times. Jackson was already a team leader to some and showed natural command of the offense and the team with pep talks and routinely leading end of practice/workout breaks throughout the summer and spring. Jones was reserved, borderline timid if you asked some. He didn't show much emotions between plays, almost giving the sideline a blank stare as he tried to decipher what the signals coming in were. He'd mumble to himself at times during practice, an habit he picked up at an early age to try to remember plays and concepts. He was cerebral, just like his offensive coordinator.
The opener wasn't enough to prove that Francois Jr. -- and by extension Francois Sr. -- had made the right decision after Jones threw for 352 yards against an Arkansas team that many people didn't expect much from. After all, it was a two-point win due to a late interception by Jones that allowed it to be a close game. In his second ever college start, Jones went into Death Valley and threw for 455 yards. The next weekend, he broke a school record with 55 completions, 70 attempts and 569 yards. He'd throw 470 against Georgia but it was the Ole Miss game where the offense looked vastly different under Jackson that proved that Jones was the right pick.
If the Ole Miss game was validation, the Alabama game was a declaration. The Tide losing to Southern Mississippi the week before took some shine off that, even if they were without their starting quarterback in the loss to the Eagles. Nevertheless, Jones threw for 572 yards, six touchdowns, led his team back from two deficits and then completed a two-point conversion that held the ultimate stakes.
The question is no longer if Francois Jr. made the right decision but it's now just how right did he get it. Both Buchanan and King have yet to start for their respective teams, something that likely won't happen until next season and beyond. Until they do, Jones will just continue to try to keep this record setting pace.
Team Leaders
Passing: Jeff Jones (76.2% completion, 2630 yards, 21 TD, 5 INT, 165.1 QB rating)
Rushing: Danny Felder (376 yards, 5.6 ypc, 4 TD)
Receiving: Max McDonald (44 receptions, 555 yards, 8 TD)
Defense: Clayton Bradford (24 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 INT)
Team Schedule
vs. Arkansas (3-3) -- W 27-25
at #13 LSU (5-1) -- W 52-21
vs. Florida (1-4) -- W 52-6
at #25 Georgia (3-3) -- W 37-35
at #4 Ole Miss (5-0) -- L 42-32
vs. #14 Alabama (3-2) -- W 46-45
OPEN
Oct. 16 at #5 Michigan State (5-0) -- 8:00 pm EST
Oct. 22 at Auburn (3-2) -- 3:30 pm EST
Oct. 29 at Washington State (2-3) -- 12:30 pm EST
OPEN
Nov. 12 vs. Florida State (1-4) -- 12:30 pm EST
Nov. 19 vs. #23 Miami (3-3) -- 3:30 pm EST
Nov. 25 vs. UCF (2-2) -- 7:00 pm EST
Biggest takeaways from first half of the season
Matthew Smith is a legitimate Mackey Award candidate
The tight end position was a bit loss in the Bulls offense the past two seasons as the offense in general became more run focused and the targets were reserved for the uber talented receivers on the team.
Matthew Smith (47 rec, 491 yds, 4 TD) is at USF at the perfect time and as the perfect tight end for this offense. A converted high school running back that was recruited to play fullback, Smith found his home at tight end where he can work as an inline blocker, out wide receiver and has 14 carries on the season.
He's undersized for the position at six-foot and 227 pounds but his nimbleness allows him to work the middle of a defense like a shifty slot receiver and he could come near 100 receptions at this rate.
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The offensive line could become an issue down the line
USF's three most senior offensive linemen are redshirt junior Kyle Parker, a second-year starter, senior Michael Bowser who is a third-year starter and center Daniel Moore. The three have combined to allow eighteen sacks on the season, a concerning staff for an offense that revolves around dropping back close to 70 times a game.
The interior has been fine with right guard Cedric George and the rotation at left guard in Justin West and Luis Butler being solid. Even with the quick passing game, the bookend tackles have gotten beat early and often, causing Jones to speed up his already quick release.
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Bulls found a steal in Bryan Mangum
A former JUCO prospect, Bryan Mangum is second on the team with 46 receptions and second in yards at 542. While on the surface his four drops are concerning, a lot of his catches are over the middle and in traffic and a lot of those drops are contact drops as opposed to concentration ones.
Mangum has been one of the team's best players and one of their more reliable ones. Depending on the coverage and matchups, Robert Givens or Max McDonald might be featured on the outside but either way, Mangum is the one who eats up yards through the middle of the defense and they got him on the recruiting trail without much of a fight.
What to watch for in second half of the season
Can the defense turn it around?
A trip to East Lansing isn't what this defense is hoping for after surrendering 45, 42 and 35 points in their last three game.
The Spartans have a top 25 offense and a top ten passing attack and while their rushing offense is middle of the pack, they could have a feature day against the nation's 100th ranked rushing defense. It's particular thin up front as far as proven talent, even more so now that starting defensive end Rick Hunter is likely out for the season with a rib injury.
True freshman John Allen has six sacks on the season but they came in two games where he hustled his ways into walk-in sacks. No other defensive linemen has more than three tackles for loss, a concerning staff for a defense that's trying to get offenses in as many obvious passing downs as possible so they can rely on their experienced defensive backs.
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Will the Bulls ever care about running the football?
Sophomore running back Danny Felder is averaging 5.6 yards per carry and 6.9 yards per reception which might be why the Bulls offense hasn't had much use for running the football.
They have road games in Michigan and Washington, which could mean cold or even snow weather where the conditions aren't optimal for a pass heavy offense. They've been good enough when they do run the football but they haven't had much use for it.
Felder is their leading rusher with 66 attempts on the season, averaging just eleven carries per game. The next closest is Jones with just 21 carries on the season for 105 yards.
Week 7 Top Stories
1. Ohio State rolls on, this time against Big Ten opponent Illinois.
2. Texas improves to 2-3 in SEC play with a 31-24 win over #9 Oklahoma.
3. Will Wisconsin be able to jump back after suffering a loss to unranked Army?
4. The Scarlet Knights barely overcome the tough crowd at Michigan.
5. #16 Georgia Tech wears out Clemson's defense en route to a 49-42 ACC win.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 7 SEC Results
TEX 31 - OU 24 | MIA 37 - TSU 31 | MISS 45 - TAMU 38 OT | TEN 38 - MSST 21
ALA 49 - UGA 28 | UK 29 - AUB 27 | LFSU 48 - UF 38 | ARK 45 - SCAR 32
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 8 SEC Schedule
#8 USF (5-1, 5-1) at #4 Michigan State (5-0, 3-0)
Florida State (1-4, 0-2) at #17 Oklahoma (5-2, 4-2)
Mississippi State (3-3, 1-2) at Texas A&M (2-3, 2-2)
Auburn (3-3, 1-2) at Florida (1-5, 0-5)
#3 Ole Miss (6-0, 4-0) at #22 Miami (4-3, 2-3)
Kansas (2-3, 2-2) at Arkansas (4-3, 3-3)
Kentucky (1-4, 1-3) at #21 Texas (3-3, 2-3)
Georgia (3-4, 2-4) at Vanderbilt (3-3, 3-3)
Georgia Southern (1-5, 0-0) at #13 Alabama (4-2, 4-1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 8 Notable Games
#11 Penn State (3-2, 1-1) at #25 Rutgers (4-1, 1-1)
#6 Stanford (6-0, 6-0) at Coastal Carolina (4-2, 0-0)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Players of the Week
QB Travis Vaughn (Kent State): 28 of 36, 358 yards, 21 carries, 92 yards, 5 total touchdowns.
CB Dustin Sanders (Kansas State): 5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack, forced fumble, 2 interceptions.
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QB Antwaun Edwards (Arkansas): 15 of 25, 282 yards, 24 carries, 160 yards, 4 total touchdowns.
S Matthew Hayford (Auburn): 4 tackles, tackle for loss, 3 interceptions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Top 247 Five-Star Commitments
#1 Michael Spurlock [HB #1]: 6'1", 198lbs | Dunwoody, GA | 5-star | Notre Dame University
#3 Eddie Moore [HB #3]: 5'11", 207lbs | Conneaut, OH | 5-star | Notre Dame University
#8 John Lowe [WR #1]: 5'11", 185lbs | Kingwood, TX | 5-star | University of Southern California
#10 Josh Anderson [ILB #2]: 6'2", 229lbs | Wiggins, MS | 5-star | University of South Florida
#14 Pat Blanco [TE #2]: 6'8", 240lbs | Lansing, MI | 5-star | University of Oklahoma
#19 Kyle Edwards [ATH #7]: 6'0", 190lbs | Rowlett, TX | 5-star | Baylor University
#23 Alton Wagner [ATH #9]: 6'2", 316lbs | Wylie, TX | 5-star | University of New Mexico
#24 Chris Wallace [TE #3]: 6'1", 218lbs | Plantation, FL | 5-star | University of South Florida
#27 Grant Nichols [TE #4]: 6'4", 230lbs | Pinewood, FL | 5-star | University of Minnesota
#29 Ronald Weaver [QB #1]: 6'4", 214lbs | Universal City, TX | 5-star | Oklahoma State University
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notable Florida Recruiting Commitments
#24 Chris Wallace [TE #3]: 6'1", 218lbs | Plantation, FL | 5-star | University of South Florida
#27 Grant Nichols [TE #4]: 6'4", 230lbs | Pinewood, FL | 5-star | University of Minnesota
#31 Jeremy Daniels [CB #2]: 6'0", 167lbs | Bradenton, FL [IMG] | 5-star | USF, Georgia Tech
#40 Donnie Kelly [HB #6]: 5'10", 176lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | Auburn University
#75 Sean Bush [TE #7]: 6'2", 229lbs | Boca Del Mar, FL | 4-star | Duke University
#108 Michael Scott [WR #15]: 5'9", 181lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | Florida State University
#110 Jordan Odom [DE #12]: 6'3", 247lbs | Port Charlotte, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#151 Kyle Wheeler [ATH #35]: 6'3", 188lbs | Pompano Beach, FL | 4-star | University of Miami
#180 Tim Morrison [G #6]: 6'7", 318lbs | Jasmine Estates, FL | 4-star | Naval Academy
#187 Aaron Coe [QB #8]: 6'2", 239lbs | Brownsville, FL | 4-star | Northwestern University
#201 Kevin Morris [OLB #9]: 6'6", 227lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | University of Florida
#229 Brian Anderson [DE #17]: 6'5", 252lbs | West Palm Beach, FL | 4-star | Mississippi State University
#231 Paul Ingraham [ILB #7]: 6'0", 242lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | Auburn University
Week 8 Preview: at #4 Michigan State Spartans
Record: 5-0, 3-0 Big Ten
Head Coach: Josh Heupel (148-55 at Michigan State, 16th year, 158-59)
Offensive Coordinator: Bobby Petrino (Pro)
Defensive Coordinator: Todd Graham (3-4)
Team Leaders
Passing: Shawn Terry (1423 yards, 17 TD, 6 INT, 146.6 rating)
Rushing: Joe Ford (451 yards, 6.8 ypc, 3 TD)
Receiving: Tony Murphy (34 receptions, 589 yards, 6 TD)
Defense: Peter Ward (37 tackles, 12 TFL, 3.5 sacks)
Team Rankings
Points Per Game: 19th
Total Offense: 12th
Rushing Offense: 71st
Passing Offense: 7th
Total Defense: 8th
Rushing Defense: 35th
Passing Defense: 8th
Turnover Differential: 9th
Team Schedule
vs. Western Michigan: W 27-7
at Arkansas State: W 45-17
vs. Vanderbilt: W 26-21
vs. Illinois: W 41-17
at Northwestern: W 44-31
