Week 11 Preview: at #14 Michigan Wolverines
Record: 4-3, 3-2 Champions Division
Head Coach: Major Applewhite (46-28 at Michigan, 6th year, 167-168)
Offensive Coordinator: Steven Davis (Spread)
Defensive Coordinator: John Papuchis (4-3 D)
Team Rankings
Points Per Game: 55th
Total Offense: 68th
Rushing Offense: 74th
Passing Offense: 55th
Total Defense: 102nd
Rushing Defense: 92nd
Passing Defense: 90th
Turnover Differential: 25th
Team Schedule
vs. Ball State: W 27-14
vs. LSU: L 35-30
at #18 Minnesota: L 30-14
vs. #11 Virginia Tech: W 38-35
vs. #15 Georgia Tech: W 45-33
at #2 Stanford: L 38-14
at Michigan State: W 34-28
Injuries
USF OLB Oliver Colvin, Freshman (probable)
USF WR Ryan Murray, Freshman (doubtful)
USF FB Jake Thompson, Senior (probable)
USF once again finds a way against Michigan, wins by a razor's edge
Death, taxes, a game extending interception by USF's defense and some Rashad Woodard magic in the fourth quarter.
For the second week in a row, USF did the improbable, coming back from two scores deficit thanks to a late interception -- this time by safety Clarence Sullivan -- and late touchdowns by Woodard to help set up Jonathan Love's second game winning field in as many weeks, drilling in the 17-yarder as time expired to beat Michigan on the road 41-40 on Saturday night.
In a rematch of last year's College Football Playoffs Quarterfinal, the Bulls once again has no answer for Drew Reid, who rushed for 240 yards and three touchdowns in their last matchup. Reid rushed for 206 yards this time around, reaching the end zone on a two-yard run with 6:22 remaining to make it 24-10. The seemingly game clinching touchdown would prove to be Reid's last carry of the game.
A 67-yard kick return by Cameron Stokes would jump start USF's comeback, scoring a few plays later on a handoff to Dave Parker. The Bulls opted to go for two in an effort to make it a six point game and give themselves a chance to win the game with an extra point but the two point conversion was unsuccessful as Woodard was intercepted, making it an eight point game with 5:10 remaining.
An early sack would force Michigan to be aggressive with their passing game as Ray Espinosa completed a jump ball pass to Nick Guerrero who leaped over USF defensive back Travis Jones to haul it in. Helping a devasted Jones off the turf to his feet was safety Clarence Sullivan, who patted him on the helmet.
"He just kept telling me that he had my back and that I was going to make a play," Jones said of Sullivan after the game, who hasn't been made available to the media since his return from suspension, "He ended up being the one to make the play that we really needed."
Two plays later, Espinosa would escape the pocket and throw it across the field and get picked off by Sullivan. Michigan head coach Major Applewhite after the game took the blame for the aggressive play calling in the fourth and failing to get in the ball in Reid's hands the last couple of drives.
"We got carried away," Applewhite said after the game, "We ran the ball really well all game so it's definitely something we should have leaned on, closed it out with."
Instead, it was USF's turn to lean on their running game, which had struggled to that point. Once within the five-yard line, Woodard punched it in for six by bulldozing his way into the end zone with 2:24 remaining from four yards out. He'd do it again on the next play, converting the two point conversion to tie the game.
Despite the collapse, the Wolverines still had a chance to win the game and on 2nd and 2, they almost took it with Espinosa launching it deep to Calvin Nicholson in the end zone but USF safety Anthony Gunn, who had been beaten earlier on a similar play for a touchdown, was able to get a hand on it and knock it down. On the next play, Michigan tried to get the ball to Reid on a screen play but it was sniffed out by USF's defense, leading to a sack.
Woodard and USF's offense once again had no problem matriculating down the field into scoring territory, this time relying on their quick passing game and then on 2nd and 10 with 25 seconds remaining and the ball near midfield, Woodard went over the top to receiver Scott Price for the 22-yard gain to place the ball on the 20-yard line.
A completion to running back Justin Thomas on the next play got the the ball to the 11-yard line where Love's field goal was good, even after an icing the kicker attempt from Michigan.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
Quarter 2
[MICH] D. Brown, 42 Yd FG (7:52)
[USF] R. Woodard, 4 Yd run (3:39)
[MICH] S. Cunningham, 24 Yd pass from R. Espinosa (2:27)
[USF] J. Love, 29 Yd FG (0:32)
Quarter 3
[MICH] R. Espinosa, 16 Yd run (1:06)
Quarter 4
[MICH] D. Reid, 2 Yd run (6:22)
[USF] D. Parker, 6 Yd run -- 2pt failed (5:10)
[USF] R. Woodard, 4 Yd run -- 2pt (2:24)
[USF] J. Love, 27 Yd FG (0:00)
---------------------------------------------------------------- #4 South Florida Bulls
QB Rashad Woodard: 25 of 39, 294 yards, 2 interceptions, sacked once, 16 carries, 99 yards, 2 touchdowns
HB Justin Thomas: 10 carries, 31 yards
HB Dave Parker: 8 carries, 21 yards
HB Cameron Stokes: 2 carries, 4 yards, 1 kick return, 66 yards
WR Scott Price: 8 receptions, 117 yards
WR Eddie Shaw: 7 receptions, 101 yards
LB Oliver Colvin: 7 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, sack
S Clarence Sullivan: 7 tackles, tackle for loss, interception
DT Brandon Smith: 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks
#14 Michigan Wolverines
QB Ray Espinosa: 16 of 24, 167 yards, touchdown, interception, sacked 4 times, 10 carries, 13 yards, touchdown
HB Drew Reid: 21 carries, 206 yards, touchdown
WR Nick Guerrero: 4 receptions, 59 yards
WR Calvin Nicholson: 4 receptions, 55 yards
TE Travis Ware: 4 receptions, 28 yards
CB Ricky Donaldson: 12 tackles
S Corey Walker: 9 tackles, interception
LB Sheldon Bell: 8 tackles, 3 tackles for loss
LB Andre Wise: 3 tackles, tackle for loss, interception
Four-star Bloomingdale receiver Theo Smith commits to Bulls over Navy
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports USF Insider
After nearly committing to the Naval Academy last season to play for then offensive coordinator Malcolm Francois Jr, four-star receiver Theo Smith is following Francois Jr. to USF as the Tampa native committed to the Bulls on Saturday evening.
Smith is Bloomingdale High School's all-time leader in receptions with 179 career receptions, including 83 as a junior. The son of two Navy graduates, Smith is a high IQ player who projects to be a slot receiver at the next level although he's primarily played on the outside in high school. A lot of Smith's best work comes from after the catch as he's a slippery and shifty receiver at six-foot and 171 pounds.
Smith joins 4-star Will Madison as the two 'true' receivers in the class although Donald Jones and Brian Clay, who are classified as athletes, have the ability to play receiver with Jones expected to play receiver and Clay projected to cross train at both running back and receiver.
2044 USF Recruiting Class
WR Donald Jones [ATH #1]: 6'0", 206lbs | Jacksonville, FL | 5-star | 4.48 40-yd dash, 300 Bench Press Max, 320 Squat Max
HB Brian Clay [ATH #12]: 5'11", 178lbs | Alvin, TX | 4-star | 4.40 40-yd dash, 250 Bench Press Max, 305 Squat Max
QB Kevin Meadows [QB #1]: 6'4", 244lbs | Hollywood, FL | 4-star | 4.44 40-yd dash, 305 Bench Press Max, 345 Squat Max
OLB Paul Mason [OLB #3]: 6'5", 211lbs | Laurel, MS | 4-star | 4.56 40-yd dash, 430 Bench Press Max, 580 Squat Max
G Mike Miller [G #2]: 6'4", 290lbs | Olney, MD [IMG] | 4-star | 4.76 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press Max, 670 Squat Max
WR Will Madison [WR #22]: 6'3", 185lbs | Stillwater, OK | 4-star | 4.50 40-yd dash, 265 Bench Press Max, 250 Squat Max
TE Matt Jordan [TE #8]: 6'6", 265lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | 4.68 40-yd dash, 405 Bench Press Max, 265 Squat Max
OLB Kevin Harris [OLB #10]: 5'11", 180lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | 4.50 40-yd dash, 370 Bench Press Max, 595 Squat Max
ILB Justin Smith [ILB #7]: 6'2", 225lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | 4.62 40-yd dash, 405 Bench Press Max, 555 Squat Max
CB Ernest Bright [CB #5]: 6'2", 185lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | 4.36 40-yd dash, 325 Bench Press Max, 260 Squat Max
DT Dan James [DT #8]: 6'5", 280lbs | Monte Vista, CO | 4-star | 5.18 40-yd dash, 430 Bench Press Max, 620 Squat Max
T Tim Hill [T #7]: 6'5", 291lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | 4.90 40-yd dash, 435 Bench Press Max, 630 Squat Max
DB Sean Hart [ATH #39]: 6'0", 185lbs | Northbrook, IL | 4-star | 4.38 40-yd dash, 235 Bench Press Max, 250 Squat Max
DE Alex Kelley [DE #20]: 6'3", 247lbs | Pecos, TX | 4-star | 4.70 40-yd dash, 405 Bench Press Max, 450 Squat Max
S Courtney Jones [S #7]: 6'3", 183lbs | Orlando, FL | 4-star | 4.46 40-yd dash, 345 Bench Press Max, 345 Squat Max
OLB Ryan Jones [OLB #19]: 6'5", 239lbs | Fairfax, VA | 4-star | 4.60 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press Max, 670 Squat Max
WR Theo Smith [WR #43]: 6'0", 171lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | 4.54 40-yd dash, 245 Bench Press Max, 265 Squat Max
2044 USF Recruiting Board
G Tim Williams [G #7]: 6'3", 290lbs | Robinson, PA [IMG] | 4-star | USF, Army, Minnesota
DB Michael Williams [ATH #20]: 6'0", 194lbs | Jonesboro, LA | 4-star | USF, Mississippi State, LSU
WR Mark Collier [ATH #31]: 6'0", 216lbs | Clute, TX | 4-star | Toledo, USF
FB/TE/OL Brian Daniel [C #25]: 6'5", 288lbs | Lakeland, FL | 3-star | USF, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Stanford, Middle Tennessee State
FB Gemara McDonald [TE #69]: 6'5", 277lbs | Conyers, GA | 3-star | Kansas State, Eastern Michigan, Georgia Tech, Minnesota, USF
Week 11 Top Stories
1. BYU notches a conference win against Oregon behind the arm of Hall.
2. In a battle of Rising Division opposites, unranked Notre Dame defeats #7 Miami 35-30.
3. USF refuses to let The Big House crowd get to them.
4. USC triumphs over Mississippi State in a Rising Division riot.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 11 Champions Division Results
USF 27 - MICH 24 | tOSU 24 - MINN 10 | ALA 30 - LSU 14 | PUR 51 - GT 27
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 12 Champions Division Schedule
#3 USF (6-2, 4-2) at Georgia Tech (5-4, 2-4)
#10 Virginia Tech (6-3, 4-3) at #6 Ohio State (6-2, 3-2)
#22 Michigan (4-4, 2-4) at Purdue (4-4, 2-3)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 12 Notable Games
Wake Forest (6-4, 4-3 AAC) at #21 NC State (8-1, 6-0)
#18 Rutgers (6-3, 5-2 AAC) at #1 Army (10-0, 0-0 Independent)
#13 UCLA (7-2, 5-2 Contenders) at #9 BYU (7-1, 4-1 Contenders)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Champions Division and College Football Playoffs Guidelines
- The top four teams from the Champions Division will be awarded an automatic bid into the College Football Playoffs. The remaining four spots are voted upon by the committee and can contain non ANAC members
- Once the teams are selected, the committee votes on the seeding as well
- ANAC members that are selected for the playoffs are automatically promoted or retain their place within the Champions Division for next season
- The bottom team in the Champions Division is automatically relegated and the top team in the Contenders Division is automatically promoted
- The remaining non-playoff teams in the Champions Division will compete in a play-in bowl with top seeded, non-playoff Contenders Division members for the right to play in the Champions Division the next season
- Bottom eight finishers in the Contenders Division are relegated and replaced with the top eight finishers in the Rising Division
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Champions Division Standings
1. Stanford, 7-1, 7-1
2. Alabama, 8-2, 5-2
3. USF, 6-2, 4-2
4. Ohio State, 6-2, 3-2
5. Virginia Tech, 6-3, 4-3
6. Purdue, 4-4, 2-3
7. Michigan, 4-4, 2-4
8. Georgia Tech, 5-4, 2-4
9. Minnesota, 4-5, 2-5
10. LSU, 1-9, 1-6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contenders Division Promotion Zone
1. Georgia, 7-2, 6-1
2. BYU, 7-1, 4-1
3. Oregon, 7-2, 5-2
4. UCLA, 7-2, 5-2
5. Oklahoma, 6-3, 5-2
6. Michigan State, 6-4, 5-2
7. Wisconsin, 5-5, 4-3
8. Texas, 5-4, 3-3
9. Florida, 6-5, 4-4
10. Arkansas, 4-6, 4-4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rising Division Promotion Zone
1. Nebraska, 9-1, 6-1
2. Miami, 6-2, 5-1
3. Penn State, 7-2, 4-2
4. Indiana, 6-3, 4-3
5. Washington, 5-4, 4-3
6. Kansas State, 5-4, 4-3
7. Florida State, 5-5, 4-3
8. Ole Miss, 5-4, 4-3
9. USC, 6-4, 5-4
10. Kansas, 6-3, 3-3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- College Football Playoff Rankings
1. Army, 10-0
2. Stanford, 7-1
3. Southern Miss, 8-1
4. USF, 6-2
5. Alabama, 8-2
6. Ohio State, 6-2
7. Fresno State, 8-1
8. Nebraska, 9-1
---------------
9. Virginia Tech, 6-3
10. BYU, 7-1
11. San Diego State, 8-2
12. Georgia, 7-2
13. UCLA, 7-2
14. Oklahoma, 6-3
15. Navy, 6-3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Heisman Watch
QB Andrew Jones (Stanford): Bye Week
QB Jeremy Joseph (Oregon): L 49-14 vs. BYU - 15 of 30, 169 yards, 27 carries, 137 yards, 2 total touchdowns
QB Michael Butler (Nebraska): W 34-0 vs. UL Monroe - 10 of 17, 74 yards, 2 touchdowns, 21 carries, 126 yards
HB Michael Harrison (Florida): W 31-10 vs. Vanderbilt - 32 carries, 224 yards, 2 touchdowns
QB Paul Davis (NC State): W 30-24 at Virginia - 18 of 30, 187 yards, 2 touchdowns, 23 carries, 109 yards
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Players of the Week
QB Aaron Brown (UCLA): W 49-42 vs. Texas - 12 of 21, 148 yards, 33 carries, 296 yards, 7 total touchdowns
CB David Paul (Rutgers): W 42-23 vs. Temple - 2 tackles, forced fumble, 2 interceptions
-------
QB Leon Butler (Purdue): W 51-27 vs. Georgia Tech - 15 of 31, 256 yards, 5 touchdowns, 18 carries, 93 yards
S Clarence Sullivan (USF): W 27-24 at Michigan - 7 tackles, tackle for loss, interception
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Top 247 Five-Star Commitments
#2 Donald Jones [ATH #1]: 6'0", 206lbs | Jacksonville, FL | 5-star | University of South Florida
#3 Anthony Johnson [HB #1]: 6'1", 196lbs | Fountain Hills, AZ | 5-star | University of Arizona
#4 Jeffrey Coleman [WR #1]: 6'0", 187lbs | Escondido, CA | 5-star | Naval Academy
#7 Glenn Washington [ATH #4]: 6'2", 206lbs | Atlanta, GA | 5-star | Georgia Technical Institute
#8 Jeff Jefferson [ATH #5]: 6'3", 189lbs | Lakeville, MN | 5-star | University of Wisconsin
#10 Darius Jenkins [ATH #7]: 6'2", 226lbs | Clinton, TN | 5-star | University of Michigan
#14 Jordan Hines [HB #4]: 5'8", 168lbs | Carlsbad, CA | 5-star | University of Southern California
#17 Frank Goode [ATH #9]: 6'1", 200lbs | Jollyville, TX | 5-star | University of Oklahoma
#19 Terrance Smith [DE #1]: 6'5", 257lbs | Los Angeles, CA [IMG] | 5-star | University of Texas
#20 James Christian [HB #6]: 6'0", 198lbs | Dale City, VA [IMG] | 5-star | University of Tennessee
#21 Orlando Brown [HB #7]: 5'11", 195lbs | Miami, FL | 5-star | Florida State University
#22 Jason Barnes [DE #2]: 6'2", 252lbs | Balch Springs, TX [IMG] | 5-star | Ohio State University
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notable Florida Recruiting Commitments
#2 Donald Jones [ATH #1]: 6'0", 206lbs | Jacksonville, FL | 5-star | University of South Florida
#21 Orlando Brown [HB #7]: 5'11", 195lbs | Miami, FL | 5-star | Florida State University
#42 Kevin Meadows [QB #1]: 6'4", 244lbs | Hollywood, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#81 Blake Wright [ATH #24]: 5'10", 205lbs | Oakland Park, FL | 4-star | University of Miami
#98 Chris Wesley [WR #16]: 6'2", 175lbs | Fort Myers, FL | 4-star | Virginia Tech University
#110 Travis Elliott [OLB #8]: 6'2", 219lbs | Melbourne, FL | 4-star | Michigan State University
#121 Shaun Wright [WR #23]: 6'0", 200lbs | Hollywood, FL | 4-star | Notre Dame University
#131 Matt Jordan [TE #8]: 6'6", 265lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#140 John Carpenter [DE #13]: 6'7", 260lbs | St. Cloud, FL | 4-star | Auburn University
#141 Jared Phillips [G #9]: 6'5", 289lbs | Orlando, FL | 4-star | University of Central Florida
#142 Steven Engel [G #10]: 6'3", 296lbs | Mulberry, FL [IMG] | 4-star | Virginia Tech University
#148 Kevin Harris [OLB #10]: 5'11", 180lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#150 Patrick White [ATH #34]: 6'1", 271lbs | Bradenton, FL [IMG] | 4-star | University of Alabama
#169 Justin Smith [ILB #7]: 6'2", 225lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#175 Ernest Bright [CB #5]: 6'2", 185lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#193 Tim Hill [T #7]: 6'5", 291lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#212 Robert Myrick [OLB #13]: 6'0", 229lbs | Cape Coral, FL | 4-star | University of Texas
#248 Courtney Jones [S #7]: 6'3", 183lbs | Orlando, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#255 Jared Ryan [HB #37]: 6'2", 210lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | University of Alabama - Birmingham
#273 Theo Smith [WR #43]: 6'0", 171lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#279 Ryan Bell [QB #7]: 6'0", 210lbs | Palm Bay, FL | 4-star | University of Alabama
USF completes the heist of Jonesboro Hodge's Michael Williams, land his commitment over LSU
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports USF Insider
Whenever you go into the state of Louisiana and pull out a top defensive back that LSU really wants, it's cause for celebration. The University of South Florida and their coaching staff, led by defensive backs coach Anthony McPherson, did just that, landing a commitment from four-star cornerback Michael Williams out of Jonesboro, Louisiana.
Williams picked USF over LSU, Mississippi State, Oklahoma and Stanford with the Tigers being the biggest threat to the Bulls.
A six-foot corner, Williams also plays receiver where he was an all-state selection for Jonesboro Hodge High School but the expectation is for Williams to play defense at the college level. A superb athlete with a sub-11 time in the 100-meter (10.54 second as a junior), Williams has the potential to be a flat out superstar for the Bulls with his top end speed, explosiveness, intensity and play making skills.
While he's primarily played corner on defense, Williams has the tools to play safety if he can sure up his tackling and a deep-lying free safety might be his optimal position as he has the potential to be a sideline-to-sideline playmaker.
Williams shot up USF's priority list this past summer after an impressive 7-on-7 campaign with the Louisiana Bootleggers that featured a very competitive matchup against five-star USF commit Donald Jones where Williams certainly held his own.
2044 USF Recruiting Class
WR Donald Jones [ATH #1]: 6'0", 206lbs | Jacksonville, FL | 5-star | 4.48 40-yd dash, 300 Bench Press Max, 320 Squat Max
HB Brian Clay [ATH #12]: 5'11", 178lbs | Alvin, TX | 4-star | 4.40 40-yd dash, 250 Bench Press Max, 305 Squat Max
QB Kevin Meadows [QB #1]: 6'4", 244lbs | Hollywood, FL | 4-star | 4.44 40-yd dash, 305 Bench Press Max, 345 Squat Max
OLB Paul Mason [OLB #3]: 6'5", 211lbs | Laurel, MS | 4-star | 4.56 40-yd dash, 430 Bench Press Max, 580 Squat Max
G Mike Miller [G #2]: 6'4", 290lbs | Olney, MD [IMG] | 4-star | 4.76 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press Max, 670 Squat Max
DB Michael Williams [ATH #20]: 6'0", 194lbs | Jonesboro, LA | 4-star | 4.34 40-yd dash, 285 Bench Press Max, 260 Squat Max
WR Will Madison [WR #22]: 6'3", 185lbs | Stillwater, OK | 4-star | 4.50 40-yd dash, 265 Bench Press Max, 250 Squat Max
TE Matt Jordan [TE #8]: 6'6", 265lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | 4.68 40-yd dash, 405 Bench Press Max, 265 Squat Max
OLB Kevin Harris [OLB #10]: 5'11", 180lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | 4.50 40-yd dash, 370 Bench Press Max, 595 Squat Max
ILB Justin Smith [ILB #7]: 6'2", 225lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | 4.62 40-yd dash, 405 Bench Press Max, 555 Squat Max
CB Ernest Bright [CB #5]: 6'2", 185lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | 4.36 40-yd dash, 325 Bench Press Max, 260 Squat Max
DT Dan James [DT #8]: 6'5", 280lbs | Monte Vista, CO | 4-star | 5.18 40-yd dash, 430 Bench Press Max, 620 Squat Max
T Tim Hill [T #7]: 6'5", 291lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | 4.90 40-yd dash, 435 Bench Press Max, 630 Squat Max
DB Sean Hart [ATH #39]: 6'0", 185lbs | Northbrook, IL | 4-star | 4.38 40-yd dash, 235 Bench Press Max, 250 Squat Max
DE Alex Kelley [DE #20]: 6'3", 247lbs | Pecos, TX | 4-star | 4.70 40-yd dash, 405 Bench Press Max, 450 Squat Max
S Courtney Jones [S #7]: 6'3", 183lbs | Orlando, FL | 4-star | 4.46 40-yd dash, 345 Bench Press Max, 345 Squat Max
OLB Ryan Jones [OLB #19]: 6'5", 239lbs | Fairfax, VA | 4-star | 4.60 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press Max, 670 Squat Max
WR Theo Smith [WR #43]: 6'0", 171lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | 4.54 40-yd dash, 245 Bench Press Max, 265 Squat Max
2044 USF Recruiting Board
G Tim Williams [G #7]: 6'3", 290lbs | Robinson, PA [IMG] | 4-star | USF, Army, Minnesota
WR/CB Mark Collier [ATH #31]: 6'0", 216lbs | Clute, TX | 4-star | Toledo, USF
FB/TE/OL Brian Daniel [C #25]: 6'5", 288lbs | Lakeland, FL | 3-star | USF, Stanford
FB Gemara McDonald [TE #69]: 6'5", 277lbs | Conyers, GA | 3-star | USF, Vanderbilt
Top 30 USF Players of Francois Era: No. 3 - Jeff Jones (2033-2035)
Charlie Flowers -- gousfbulls.com
Recruiting Profile: 2nd ranked QB in 2033 | 6'2", 193lbs | Port Charlotte, FL [IMG Academy] | 4-star
Career Stats: 1277 of 1797, 15011 yards, 147 touchdowns, 45 interceptions, sacked 79 times, 198 carries, 200 yards, 3 touchdowns, 4 fumbles
Record vs. UCF: 2-0
-- W 31-15: 39 of 51, 483 yards, 4 touchdowns, sacked 2 times
-- W 28-17: 28 of 45, 451 yards, 3 touchdowns, interception, sacked 3 times, 8 carries, 15 yards
-- W 70-27: 20 of 27, 171 yards, 3 touchdowns, interception, 3 carries, 76 yards, 2 touchdowns
Conference Championships: 2 (SEC)
Bowl Record: 1-0 (Outback)
National Championships: 1
Accolades: 2033 Freshman All-American, 2033 1st team All-American, 2033 1st team All-SEC, 2033 Davey O'Brien Award recipient (best quarterback), 2034 1st team All-American, 2034 1st team All-SEC, 2034 Davey O'Brien Award recipient (best quarterback), 2035 2nd team All-SEC
A very unimpressive physical build, an adequate arm and no specific trait that stood out. Even as the 2nd ranked quarterback in his recruiting class, no one expected this from IMG's Jeff Jones who some thought was buoyed by the talent around him. USF offensive coordinator Malcolm Francois Jr. at the time thought differently and envisioned an offense with Jones' supercomputer of a brain processing it at a clip that defenses wouldn't be able to stop.
Francois Jr's gamble was a great one, landing Jones and starting the process that would turn him into the program's greatest quarterback of all time, bar none. As a true freshman, Jones would throw for an NCAA record 5,988 yards, beating Jed White's school record for passing touchdowns as well with 51.
With a new coordinator in his second season, Jones would still put together an amazing season, almost winning the SEC in back-to-back seasons before losing to Texas in the SEC Championship game to put a halt to their undefeated season. Jones was still an All-American and won the Davey O'Brien again, throwing for 5,142 yards and 57 touchdowns.
He would rematch the Longhorns in the national championship game where he threw two touchdowns and won his first national championship.
Jones' junior season would be one marred with injuries, as a nagging back injury caused him the miss the postseason where the Bulls would beat Tennessee to win their 2nd SEC championship in three years. USF would self-impose a bowl ban at the conclusion of their two-year long investigation into the athletic department, ending any hope that Jones would ever suit up for the Bulls again as he declared for the draft.
Even with the injury and missing time, as well as playing in an offense that perhaps didn't fit his skills the best, Jones still threw for nearly 4,000 yards and 39 touchdowns. He also served as the mentor to Joey Spence, another all-time great. Spence is the only one to come close to Jones' career totals and even he is around 4,000-yards short and 24 touchdowns short.
Jed White was the better athlete, Spence was the best thrower in school history and Michael Harrell might have the school's best winner at the position but without a doubt, Jeff Jones is the best quarterback in school history and one of the best in college football history.
The Bullpen: Oliver Colvin has the chance to be a really special player for USF
Jonathan Bright -- BullsNation.com Football Reporter
A lot of articles will be written about USF safety Clarence Sullivan and his interception to help USF beat Michigan 27-24 or quarterback Rashad Woodard's heroics in the fourth quarter but lost in all of that is just how good freshman Oliver Colvin was in his first workload since returning from a quad injury.
Colvin played some two weeks ago against Minnesota, recording one tackle in a limited role. Colvin took off the training wheels against the Wolverines, finishing the game with seven tackles and four tackles for loss along with a sack.
The freshman has continued to impress when healthy and has shown flashes of brilliance that should have USF fans excited for not just the rest of this season but next year and beyond as well.
‣ WR Ryan Murray progressing towards return
Former five-star receiver Ryan Murray is back practicing wearing a red, non-contact jersey as he recovers from a torn pectoral that has caused him to miss the last four games.
Murray is not expected to play this week according to head coach Malcolm Francois Sr. but the team is hopeful that they'll be able to work him back into the rotation by the season's end and hopefully into the post season.
It's always hard to freshmen to jump back onto the train, especially on offense. Murray was replaced by sophomore Eddie Shaw, a former five-star in his own right that has really blossomed. On the season, Shaw is averaging 57 yards per game and is third on the team with 27 receptions. No other receiver has more than nine.
‣ Top seed still in contention for Bulls after surviving the past two weeks
If you change a few plays, USF might already be out of the playoff picture and now be fighting relegation if they were sitting at 2-4 in the conference instead of 4-2.
With wins over Minnesota and Michigan, USF moves up to third in the Champions Division with a tie breaker in hand against Stanford who sits at the top, giving them a chance to win the Champions Division even with two losses. They'll need Alabama to lose to either Purdue or Michigan and Stanford to lose to Purdue at the end of the season, the only conference game left on their schedule.
It's way too early to start seed watching to see who will play who but if results hold, USF would be playing Alabama in the opening round, a team that beat them earlier this season. Getting into a top two seed would afford them a more favorable matchup against the likes of Fresno State or Nebraska.
Week 12 Preview: at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Record: 5-4, 2-4 Champions Division
Head Coach: Roger McCoy (25-10 at Georgia Tech, 3rd year, 35-13)
Offensive Coordinator: Matt Wilson (Multiple)
Defensive Coordinator: John Bolen (3-4 D)
Team Leaders
Passing: Jamie Davis (1984 yards, 18 TD, 10 INT, 130.1 rating)
Rushing: Dominique Shelton (321 yards, 5.3 ypc, 3 TD)
Receiving: Maurice Dunlap (35 receptions, 663 yards, 5 TD)
Defense: James Matthews (69 tackles, 11 TFL, 3 sacks)
Team Rankings
Points Per Game: 41st
Total Offense: 53rd
Rushing Offense: 76th
Passing Offense: 44th
Total Defense: 87th
Rushing Defense: 109th
Passing Defense: 39th
Turnover Differential: 108th
Team Schedule
vs. Eastern Michigan: W 38-10
vs. Hawaii: W 35-13
vs. Minnesota: W 35-14
vs. Georgia State: W 42-27
at #5 Alabama: L 38-21
at #22 Michigan: L 45-33
vs. #10 Virginia Tech: W 27-24
at #2 Stanford: L 42-14
at Purdue: L 51-27
