USF Starts Off The Eason With Close Win Over Tennessee
With the Vols seemingly having their number the past two seasons, it all seemed ordained that Tennessee would once again beat the South Florida Bulls, this time due to a missed extra point with 2:38 left in the game that left Tennessee with a one-point lead.
When Tennessee was able to put points on the board, that should have been fait accompli. In his first start on the road in rainy Knoxville, James Brown had other ideas.
Brown led a game-winning, 85 yard drive with no timeouts left to beat Tennessee 26-23 and start the Bulls season off with a win against their former offensive coordinator. Brown finished the day 21 of 30 for 239 yards with a touchdown and interception apiece. USF mostly relied on their running game, which rushed for 185 yards and their defense, which surrendered just one red zone touchdown in five trips.
Tennessee had a chance to respond but failed to do so as the Hail Mary attempt on the final play was broken up.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
[USF] S. Davis, 41 Yd FG (2:58)
Quarter 2
[TENN] B. Moss, 23 Yd FG (4:29)
[USF] S. Davis, 36 Yd FG (0:32)
[TENN] A. Edwards, 9 Yd pass from R. Nugent (0:09)
Quarter 3
[TENN] A. Edwards, 46 Yd pass from R. Nugent (6:26)
[USF] A. Montgomery, 1 Yd run (3:40)
Quarter 4
[TENN] B. Moss, 29 Yd FG (6:12)
[USF] E. Thomas, 1 Yd run (2:38)
---------------------------------------------------------------- #6 South Florida Bulls
QB James Brown: 21 of 30, 239 yards, touchdown, interception, 7 carries, 39 yards.
HB Pookie Harrell: 14 carries, 82 yards.
HB E.J. Thomas: 9 carries, 27 yards, touchdown.
WR Pat Newsome: 6 receptions, 85 yards.
WR Brad Williams: 5 receptions, 39 yards.
WR Brent Cunningham: 3 receptions, 57 yards, touchdown.
LB Greg Booth: 10 tackles, 3 tackles for loss.
DE Reggie Harper: 4 tackles, tackle for loss, sack.
CB Jay Burke: 3 tackles, interception.
#13 Tennessee Volunteers
QB Richie Nugent: 21 of 24, 300 yards, 2 touchdowns, interception, sacked 2 times.
HB Martin Fisher: 13 carries, 86 yards.
HB Nick Smith: 4 carries, 44 yards.
WR Andrew Edwards: 7 receptions, 95 yards, 2 touchdowns.
WR Matt Howard: 5 receptions, 99 yards.
TE Tyrone Harper: 4 receptions, 51 yards.
DE Jordan Sharp: 8 tackles.
CB Anthony McPherson: 4 tackles, interception.
CB Jamaal Nelson: 2 tackles, 2 tackles for loss.
Week 1 Top Stories
1. Ole Miss' high hopes are dismantled on opening weekend.
2. The SEC season begins on a high note for Alabama, beating Texas.
3. How tough is it to go to into Notre Dame Stadium and compete? South Carolina found out.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 1 SEC Results
USF 26 - TENN 23 | MIA 34 - UGA 27 | LSU 51 - MSST 17
UF 31 - ARK 10 | ALA 42 - TEX 35 | UK 35 - OU 28 | FSU 28 - MISS 21
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 2 SEC Schedule
#20 LSU (1-0, 1-0) at #5 USF (1-0, 1-0)
#25 Florida State (1-0, 1-0) at Mississippi State (0-1, 0-1)
Georgia (0-1, 0-1) at #19 Ole Miss (0-1, 0-1)
Arkansas (0-1, 0-1) at Texas (0-1, 0-1)
Florida (1-0, 1-0) at Miami (1-0, 1-0)
Texas A&M (0-0, 0-0) at #4 Alabama (1-0, 1-0)
Oklahoma (0-1, 0-1) at #15 Tennessee (0-1, 0-1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 2 Notable Games
#3 Michigan (0-0, 0-0) at #11 USC (0-0, 0-0)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Players of the Week
QB Clayton Malone (Wisconsin): 21 of 36, 287 yards, 5 touchdowns, 13 carries, 89 yards.
S Tom Wade (Kentucky): 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack, interception.
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QB Steven Russell (Alabama): 21 of 38, 292 yards, 10 carries, 63 yards, 4 total touchdowns.
S Tom Wade (Kentucky): 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack, interception.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Top 247 Five-Star Commitments
#11 Keith Lewis [ATH #3]: 6'1", 218lbs | Gladeview, FL | 5-star | Ohio State University
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notable Florida Recruiting Commitments
#11 Keith Lewis [ATH #3]: 6'1", 218lbs | Gladeview, FL | 5-star | Ohio State University
#165 Josh Hardy [T #5]: 6'4", 323lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#201 Maurice Jenkins [OLB #9]: 6'1", 224lbs | Edgewater, FL | 4-star | Pennsylvania State University
LSU Tigers Bow Out at the End To USF 27-20
Seven days prior, it was USF trying and completing the comeback victory over Tennessee.
With the roles reversed in the fourth quarter of their matchup against LSU, USF learned from the Vols woes and were able to play keep-a-away football and put the Tigers away in the team's 27-20 win over LSU on Saturday night.
The play of the day was Chris Mark's scope and score early in the fourth quarter which extended USF's lead to two possessions. The defense continued to make timely plays despite LSU outgaining the Bulls 354-285, forcing a turnover on downs on the next LSU possession which allowed USF to continue to bleed clock.
Even when the Tigers were able to get the ball back and eventually score on a drive where they converted two third downs and a fourth down -- which was preceded by a 3rd and 16 -- USF recovered the onside kick and bled out the remaining 1:44 left in the game with their running attack.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
[LSU] K. Jones, 41 Yd FG (6:08)
[USF] E. Thomas, 1 Yd run (1:23)
Quarter 2
[USF] S. Davis, 41 Yd FG (6:12)
[LSU] K. Jones, 38 Yd FG (4:50)
[USF] P Harrell, 5 Yd run (0:34)
Quarter 3
[LSU] D. Jacobs, 5 Yd run (3:42)
[USF] S. Davis, 40 Yd FG (0:03)
Quarter 4
[USF] C. Mark, returned fumble 16 Yds (7:55)
[LSU] B. Moore, 6 Yd pass from J. Morris (1:44)
---------------------------------------------------------------- #6 South Florida Bulls
QB James Brown: 13 of 17, 114 yards, sack.
HB Pookie Harrell: 25 carries, 103 yards, touchdown.
HB E.J. Thomas: 6 carries, 29 yards, touchdown.
WR Pat Newsome: 5 receptions, 65 yards.
LB Greg Booth: 12 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack.
DT Chris Mark: 1 tackle, tackle for loss, sack, fumble recovery, touchdown.
#20 LSU Tigers
QB Jeremy Morris: 15 of 18, 148 yards, touchdown, sacked 6 times.
HB Al Davis: 12 carries, 133 yards.
HB David Jacobs: 9 carries, 61 yards, touchdown.
WR Anthony Hinds: 4 receptions 48 yards.
LB R.J. Payne: 7 tackles, tackle for loss.
LB Eddie Griffin: 4 tackles, tackle for loss, sack.
Week 2 Top Stories
1. Spirits are high in Tampa as their Bulls beat #20 LSU 27-20.
2. Missouri's home field advantage was too much for the Badgers to overcome.
3. Hudson's USC wins season opener vs. #3 Michigan.
4. Trojans have a tough conference opener with #20 Washington State.
5. Alabama outshines conference adversary Texas A&M in overtime period.
6. The Rebels KO Georgia in conference play.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 2 SEC Results
USF 27 - LSU 20 | MSST 48 - FSU 41 | MISS 56 - UGA 7 | AUB 34 - UCONN 13
ARK 42 - TEX 32 | MIA 27 - USF 22 | ALA 30 - TAMU 27 | TEN 35 - OU 31
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 3 SEC Schedule
#4 USF (2-0, 2-0) at Florida (1-1, 1-1)
#3 Alabama (2-0, 2-0) at Miami (2-0, 2-0)
#18 Ole Miss (1-1, 1-1) at Oklahoma (0-2, 0-2)
Kentucky (1-0, 1-0) at Louisville (1-0, 0-0)
Texas (0-2, 0-2) at Auburn (1-0, 0-0)
#22 LSU (1-1, 1-1) at Texas A&M (0-1, 0-1)
#13 Tennessee (1-1, 1-1) at #23 Arkansas (1-1, 1-1)
Eastern Washington (1-0, 0-0) at Mississippi State (1-1, 1-1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 3 Notable Games
#7 USC (1-0, 0-0) at #20 Washington State (1-0, 0-0)
#9 Georgia Tech (1-0, 0-0) at #14 Notre Dame (1-0, 1-0)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Players of the Week
QB Mike Garrett (Mississippi State): 22 of 29, 303 yards, 7 carries, 92 yards, 6 total touchdowns.
CB Mike Flowers (Rutgers): 6 tackles, forced fumble, interception.
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QB Mike Garrett (Mississippi State): 22 of 29, 303 yards, 7 carries, 92 yards, 6 total touchdowns.
LB Greg Booth (USF): 12 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Top 247 Five-Star Commitments
#11 Keith Lewis [ATH #3]: 6'1", 218lbs | Gladeview, FL | 5-star | Ohio State University
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notable Florida Recruiting Commitments
#11 Keith Lewis [ATH #3]: 6'1", 218lbs | Gladeview, FL | 5-star | Ohio State University
#165 Josh Hardy [T #5]: 6'4", 323lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#201 Maurice Jenkins [OLB #9]: 6'1", 224lbs | Edgewater, FL | 4-star | Pennsylvania State University
Week 3 Preview: at Florida Gators
Record: 1-1, 1-1 SEC
Last Season Record: 7-6, 5-4 SEC
Head Coach: Andrew Christensen (23-17 at Florida, 4th year, 35-42)
Team Leaders
Passing: Steve Lawrence (585 yards, 4 TD, 4 INT, 132.4 rating)
Rushing: David Davis (189 yards, 7.0 ypc, 94.5 ypg, 2 TD)
Receiving: Chris Stanley (17 receptions, 249 yards, 2 TD)
Defense: Tim Godfrey (10 tackles, 6 TFL, 2.5 sacks)
Team Rankings
Points Per Game: 82th
Total Offense: 17th
Rushing Offense: 43rd
Passing Offense: 17th
Total Defense: 48th
Rushing Defense: 81st
Passing Defense: 31st
Turnover Differential: 95th
Team Schedule
at #23 Arkansas: W 31-10
at Miami: L 27-22
Florida Plays Inspires at Home but are Unable to Upset Heavily Favored USF
Steve Lawrence was plenty spectacular in The Swamp on Saturday with run and run after that gashed the South Florida Bulls defense but when it mattered the most, last year's top ranked defense showed its bite.
Lawrence threw three interceptions, including a game-ending one in the fourth quarter as USF was able to beat the Gators 34-31 in Gainesville on Saturday.
After Florida took the lead with almost five minutes left in the game, it was Pookie Harrell's turn to leave his imprint on the game. Harrell touched the ball seven times on the game winning, 13-play drive that took over four minutes. On third and goal, it was Harrell who caught James Brown's fourth touchdown of the pass of the game to give the Bulls the three-point lead with 38 seconds left in the game.
Florida had a chance to respond but threw an interception on the second play from scrimmage, forcing them to then turn their timeouts on three straight kneel downs by the Bulls before punting with 3 seconds left on the clock.
---------------------------------------------------------------- Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
[USF] J. McCullough, 8 Yd pass from J. Brown (1:44)
[UF] D. Davis, 1 Yd run (0:45)
Quarter 2
[USF] C. Fisher, 13 Yd pass from J. Brown (6:08)
[UF] S. Lawrence, 2 Yd run (5:07)
Quarter 3
[UF] J. McKinney, 22 Yd FG (6:28)
[USF] S. Davis, 46 Yd FG (4:05)
[UF] J. Snyder, 33 Yd pass from S. Lawrence (2:22)
[USF] B. Slaughter, 19 Yd pass from J. Brown (1:07)
Quarter 4
[USF] S. Davis, 26 Yd FG (7:15)
[UF] J. Brooks, 19 Yd pass from S. Lawrence (5:10)
[USF] P. Harrell, 4 Yd pass from J. Brown (0:33)
---------------------------------------------------------------- #4 South Florida Bulls
QB James Brown: 23 of 24, 201 yards, 4 touchdowns, sacked once.
HB Pookie Harrell: 19 carries, 123 yards, fumble, 4 receptions, 26 yards, touchdown.
HB Roger Shaw Jr: 10 carries, 26 yards.
HB E.J. Thomas: 6 carries, 34 yards.
WR Brent Cunningham: 4 receptions, 63 yards.
WR Jeremiah McCullough: 4 receptions, 36 yards, touchdown.
S Brandon Benjamin: 7 tackles, tackle for loss, sack.
LB Greg Booth: 5 tackles, interception.
CB Sam Harris: Tackle, 2 interceptions.
Florida Gators
QB Steve Lawrence: 20 of 27, 239 yards, 2 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, sacked once, 11 carries, 164 yards.
HB David Davis: 8 carries, 38 yards, touchdown, 4 receptions, 26 yards.
HB Jarrod Smith: 4 receptions, 17 yards.
S Brandon Gonzalez: 10 tackles.
DE Justin Morton: 6 tackles, 2 tackles for loss.
Week 3 Top Stories
1. Old Dominion upsets No. 2 Ohio State in season opener.
2. Led by Turner and crew, Tennessee knocks off SEC opponent Arkansas.
3. Georgia Tech falls short of beating Notre Dame at home.
4. Stanford downs Utah 31-10 in their Pac-12 opener.
5. Alabama wins their conference battle at Miami 42-23.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 3 SEC Results
USF 34 - UF 31 | ALA 42 - MIA 23 | MSST 38 - EWU 0 | MISS 52 - OU 31
UL 34 - UK 27 | TEX 49 - AUB 40 | LSU 35 - TAMU 13 | TEN 38 - ARK 26
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 4 SEC Schedule
Georgia (0-2, 0-2) at #3 USF (3-0, 3-0)
Miami (2-1, 2-1) at #20 LSU (2-1, 2-1)
Texas (1-2, 1-2) at #17 Ole Miss (2-1, 2-1)
Abilene (0-1, 0-0) at Texas A&M (0-2, 0-2)
Auburn (1-1, 0-1) at Oklahoma (0-3, 0-3)
#24 Arkansas (1-2, 1-2) at Kentucky (1-1, 1-0)
UT Martin (1-1, 0-0) at #10 Tennessee (2-1, 2-1)
Clemson (1-1, 0-0) at Florida (1-2, 1-2)
Mississippi State (2-1, 1-1) at Purdue (2-0, 1-0)
#2 Alabama (3-0, 3-0) at Florida State (1-1, 1-1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 4 Notable Games
#14 Ohio State (0-1, 0-0) at #1 Minnesota (2-0, 0-0)
#12 Miami University (1-0, 0-0) at Cincinnati (2-0, 0-0)
#9 Maryland (2-0, 1-0) at #23 West Virginia (2-0, 0-0)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Players of the Week
QB Darrell Randolph (Air Force): 21 of 32, 335 yards, 14 carries, 90 yards, 5 total touchdowns.
S Jonathan Beverly (Nevada): 5 tackles, 3 interceptions.
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QB Jared Fox (Texas): 16 of 29, 350 yards, 14 carries, 95 yards, 5 total touchdowns.
CB Charles Hamilton (Mississippi State): 3 tackles, forced fumble, 2 interceptions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Top 247 Five-Star Commitments
#11 Keith Lewis [ATH #3]: 6'1", 218lbs | Gladeview, FL | 5-star | Ohio State University
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notable Florida Recruiting Commitments
#11 Keith Lewis [ATH #3]: 6'1", 218lbs | Gladeview, FL | 5-star | Ohio State University
#165 Josh Hardy [T #5]: 6'4", 323lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | University of South Florida
#201 Maurice Jenkins [OLB #9]: 6'1", 224lbs | Edgewater, FL | 4-star | Pennsylvania State University
