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 Bulls claim national title at Disney World in Orlando.

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Tampa, FL 08/30/2019 - After a lengthy off season following the six straight losses to end the 2018 season, Bulls fans found reasons to feel optimistic (again) about USF Football.  The 2018 season showed some ugly sides that led to the dismissal of both players and coaches.  The enigma at the center of the storm, Charlie Strong, did what Charlie does, he "cleaned house". 

2019 was supposed to be different.  Players are a year older, bigger and more mature.  New assistants and a new offense.  Players were reported to be closer to each other - and closer to Coach Strong who allegedly began revealing a personality to those around him.  #PlayFastScoreFaster was a hashtag everyone wanted to use and observe.  A wave of renewed optimism seemed to be sweeping some around Fowler Avenue and in the ether of the internet.

But as players left the tunnel for warm ups, one thing remained the same.  Little energy. A "sullen look" as they took the field - perhaps imitating Strong's version of a business look - that far off, detached and unemotional presence.  A lot looked the same from that point on, save for an old fashioned player/coach confrontation on the sideline.  Well,  Johnny Ford was held out of the game, coach's decision.

The Bulls defense was porous in 2018 and remained so Friday night.  Granted, Wisconsin boasts a Heisman and, perhaps, NFL ready running back that simply had his way with the Bulls.  He, Jonathan Taylor, left the game early but not before amassing 135 rushing yards and four touchdowns.  The Badgers grinded out 234 yards on the ground.  But the Bulls also gave up a personal record high passing yards to Badger QB Jack Coan who finished with 193 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.  This was a quarterback that was dueling for the starting job with a freshman just a week ago. During one stretch in the first half, Coan completed eleven straight pass attempts.

The Bulls, on the other hand, struggled to get anything going on offense, finishing the night with just 157 total yards.  The Bulls new offense crossed the 50 yard line once the entire evening on their last lifeless, scoreless possession.

Early opportunities were erased on dropped balls.  When combined with an ineffective rushing game, the Bulls new offense failed to live up to the hype and hopes many had allowed to develop over the spring and fall camps.  The Bulls finished the night with 26 rushing yards on 23 attempts.  Quarterback Blake Barnett was ineffective, completing only 13 of 30 attempts - again, he didn't have a lot of help.  He left the game with 109 yards and two interceptions; and was sacked three times.

Afterwards, Charlie Strong lamented "It just shows you, we've got a lot of work (to do). We've still got a season in front of us and we just got to get ready. The thing I told our team just a few minutes ago is, 'You don't point fingers. Now, we've got to go back to work."

Let's hope that work starts Saturday morning.

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The site's weekly lottery, Saturday Night Lottery, is drawn Saturday nights at August 25, 2019, 0:00 am.  This week's lottery sold 0 and the winning numbers were: 

8,37,39,40,45,48

The jackpot started at 5,000.  It increased by 0 with ticket purchases to a total of 5,000.  Six correct numbers payout 5,000.

For five correct numbers, the payout is 2,000.

There are also payouts for four and three correct numbers.

The site's weekly lottery, Saturday Night Lottery, is drawn Saturday nights at August 18, 2019, 0:00 am.  This week's lottery sold 5 and the winning numbers were: 

2,3,12,24,26,41

The jackpot started at 5,000.  It increased by 125 with ticket purchases to a total of 5,125.  Six correct numbers payout 5,125.

For five correct numbers, the payout is 2,000.

There are also payouts for four and three correct numbers.

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06/20/2019

Tampa, Fl - The University of South Florida Football Program announced the official date and time of the 2019 USF Football Fan Fest.  It will take place on August 10 at 2 p.m. inside the on campus Yuengling Center.  Fan Fest provides USF Football fans of all ages to meet players, take pictures and collect autographs.  The 2019 Bulls football team will be in attendance waiting to greet fans.  

Last year's fan fest was utilized to debut new Adidas USF football uniforms.  This year the uniforms were released just before the announcement of the Fan Fest.  Also, in previous Fan Fest's there has been a gear sale included in the events.  More information to come on this Fan Fest.  

2018 Fan Fest Image Gallery

Mark your calendars or use the reminder functionality of out calendar here at The Bulls Pen, to manage your Bulls events!  

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At the end of a successful season in which the South Florida Bulls achieved the greatest turn around in the NCAA and won the Roman CBI Championship, fans are clamoring for more more Bulls basketball.  Excitement is up for next season as is interest for season tickets.

In the discussion around the Bulls potential schedule two pieces of information were discussed by board members at The Bulls Pen.  First, per @JonRothstein on Twitter, it was found that the Bulls may be participating in the 2019 Cayman Islands Classic (website) :

Sources: South Florida, Loyola-Chicago, New Mexico State, Colorado State, Old Dominion, George Mason, and Washington State will headline the 2019 Cayman Islands Classic. Event is still attempting to confirm an eighth team.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 16, 2019

The Cayman Islands Classic has yet to comment, or update their tournament website at this time.  However, in a tweet on April 19, the official Cayman Classic twitter account states November 25-27 as the dates for this year's event.  You can follow the Classic at @CaymanClassic.  More discussion HERE.

Also noteworthy was this 4/11 tweet from @JonRothstein disclosing the SEC/Big 12 Challenge and the potential matchups with American Athletic teams:

Sources: SEC teams not involved in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge will play home-and-home series' starting in 19-20 against select teams from the American Conference. The goal of the alliance between the leagues is create more Quad 1 and 2 opportunities.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 11, 2019

Rothstein later confirmed sources:

The American Conference and the SEC have officially announced a scheduling alliance between the two leagues in men's basketball, per release. Tremendous forward thinking on both sides.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 18, 2019

On April 18, the American Athletic Conference release indicated that the SEC/American Alliance match-ups for the 2019-20 season will be officially announced in late May. The schools will then proceed to determine dates for these games, and all four showdowns will be carried on ESPN networks.  More USF discussion HERE.

Based on last year's schedule announcements we may hear about the Bulls 2019 conference schedule in mid-June.   The non-conference schedule was released in mid-July last year.  Undoubtedly, in year three of the Brian Gregory rebuild, the Bulls will be seeking to improve the level of non-conference opponents.

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Tampa, Fl - It was White vs. Green today in the South Florida Football Spring Game.  The annual game in 2019 did not feature split squads, but instead the offense (White) against the Defense (Green) - with some different scoring.  The 109 (73-36, White wins) points were earned as following:

Offense:
TD: 6 pts
Extra Point: 1 pt
FG: 3 pts
Big play (15+ yards): 2 pts
4th down conversion: 1 pt

Defense:
3 & out: 3 pts
4th down stop: 1 pt
Turnover: 4 pts
Safety: 2 pts
TD: 7 pts

The White squad started off the scrimmage with a one-play (big play) passing touchdown from Blake Barnett to tight end Mitch Wilcox, good for 75 yards eight points in about six seconds.   The offense never looked back, establishing a lead on that play and never allowing the defense to surpass them in points.  

In a game structure that limited contact with the quarterbacks, it should be expected that the offense would have an advantage - and why risk injury at this point, anyway?  Regardless, the defense still responded, getting on track with a couple of interceptions in the game.  

Barnett (8/16/1, 135 yards) wasn't the only quarterback tossing a TD today, redshirt freshman Jordan McCloud added two touchdowns on 17 of 25 passing (one INT).  His long went for 36 yards.    Octavious Battle, also a redhsirt freshman contributed two TDs himself while completing 8 of 12 passes for 146 yards.  His long toss was good for 55 yards.  Battle also joined the interception ranks, leaving each QB with one.

Johnny Ford led receivers with six catches for 30 yards and a TD.  Senior Stanley Clerveaux added five catches for 59 yards while sophomore Randall St.Felix caught three for 54 yards.

Trevon Sands led on the ground with a net of 18 yards on four carries.  

Coach Charlie Strong after the game:

SPRING GAME OFFENSIVE STATS (PDF)
SPRING GAME DEFENSIVE STATS (PDF)

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Chicago, Illinois 09/15/2018

The Bulls entered the fourth quarter Saturday down 19-7 to Illinois.  The Bulls defense had already begun to take the game back, holding the Illiini to just three points in the second half, coming on a Chase McLaughlin field goal with just under three minutes left in the third quarter.

The Bulls’ offense, stymied much of the afternoon by drops, errant passes and penalties, finally found the rhythm in two scoring drives totaling 4:20.  Both were called as “Blake Barnett to Darnell Salomon” with the first on a jump ball to the corner of the end zone on a Barnett rollout.  The second a “blown coverage” pass down field in which Salomon bobbled the pass in open space but softly and surely pulled it in as he strode across the goal line for the 50 yard score.

The two late touchdowns were in stark contrast to the previous three quarters of frustration which saw the Bulls running well, but struggling to score.  A penalty negated a potential earlier score.  So too, did the Bulls reluctance to kick in a couple of early fourth down situations.  Add another penalty and the Bulls are punting instead of kicking for points.

Leading the Bulls on the ground was Jordan Cronkrite who totaled 136 yards on 22 touches.  It was Cronkrite’s three yard rushing TD (and PAT) that tallied the Bulls only points in the first three quarters.

Barnett finished with 411 yards as the Bulls out-gained the Illini 626-380.  Barnett added the two touchdowns to Salomon and ran for 17 yards.  Barnett’s 411 passing yards were spread to Randall St. Felix (120 yards on 6 receptions), Mitchell Wilcox (109 yards on 8 receptions, career high yards, program high receptions by a tight end) and Darnell Salomon (95 yards on 5 receptions).

Wide receiver Tyre McCants added 77 yards on 3 catches, including this incredible effort in a key fourth quarter drive.

But it was the defense that turned the tide against Illinois, mush like against Georgia Tech a week ago.  In addition to stifling the Illini’s ability to score beyond a field a goal in the second half, many defensive leaders set career highs.  Linebacker Nico Sawtelle tallied a career high 13 tackles, Khalid McGee a career high 14 tackles and freshman Nick Roberts got his first start and totaled a career best 7 tackles.

Defensive tackle Kevin Kelgler had another key and punishing QB sack late in this one.  Kegler totaled 1.5 sacks a new high for the big man.

That’s five in a row against “Power 5” opponents and the second in two seasons against the Fighting Illini.

The Bulls return home to Raymond James Saturday for the conference opener against East Carolina.

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September 15, 2018

The South Florida Bulls (2-0) resume play this weekend at Soldier Field against host Illinois (2-0).

The Fighting Illini are off to an unimpressive start in 2018, coming from behind to beat both Kent State and Western Illinois at home.  A win today would make the Illini 3-0, the first time since 2011 to reach that mark.

During fall practice Lovie Smith remarked to writers that year three is the year to expect big results.  Well, this week is the first week of potential big results. 

The Bulls are coming off a confidence boosting win over Georgia Tech and may still remember the 47-23 beating provided to the Illini in another NFL stadium – Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.  USF is also looking to extend its streak of five straight wins over P5 programs.

Big question marks exist for Illinois as a number of suspended players and injuries leave the roster depleted.  Five suspended players impact the defensive backfield and some offensive positions.  Coach Lovie Smith has not been clear on when the suspended players will return.  They have been practicing, allegedly, on the practice squad this week.

The Illini will feature a strong ground game, averaging 258.5 yards per game, good for 27^th in the nation.  It’s a balanced attack with running backs Reggie Corbin and Mike Epstein each totaling more than 130 yards through two games. 

South Florida struggled to stop the Yellowjacket ground game one week ago, surrendering 419 yards on the ground to the Tech triple option. 

Last season, the Bulls feasted on the return of former Buccaneer coach Lovie Smith and his flimsy Illinois defense.  Quinton Flowers threw for four touchdowns and ran for another in the lopsided affair.

Blake Barnett, the USF transfer QB, will look to keep his hot hand serving up completions to a stable of gifted receivers.  Barnett is averaging more than 250 passing yards per game and an additional 58 on the ground, many of which came last week against an ACC defense.

The Bulls are not without injury themselves and are hoping to see their leading rusher, Duran Bell, return as well as fellow running back Jordan Cronkite.

A potential trap game for the Bulls coming off the win over Georgia Tech.  First game away from Raymond James and with the first American Athletic Conference game at home next week, this game could end up a lot closer than Bulls fans and Illinois writers believe it will be.  Still, the Florida Speed and skill players put this one out of reach for Lovie and the Illini, Bulls win 41-20.

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USF Bulls Can Swat the Yellow Jackets in Week 2

The Bulls recorded their first win of the season, and it came against the Elon Phoenix, 34-14. The story of the day was the Arizona State transfer, Blake Barnett and his performance in his USF debut. He looked strong, completing 24 of 34 for 305 yards. Not only did Barnett bomb Elon with three TD passes, but he trucked one in on the ground as well.

This Saturday, September 8th at 12:00 pm the USF Bulls will host the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Raymond James Stadium. Even though the Bulls are at home, they are coming in as the underdogs to Georgia Tech. With the legalization of sports betting in various states, wagering on college football is becoming more and more popular. If you plan on wagering money on the Bulls or other teams, be sure to check and  compare online outlets like Bovada to make sure that you are secure. 

What Happened in Week 1

The Yellow Jackets pounded the ball on the ground against the Alcorn State Braves. Granted, it isn’t saying much considering the defensive front that Georgia Tech was facing, but 439 rushing yards is still something that needs to be noted.
 

Despite a 41-0 win, the Yellow Jackets didn’t look great. Paul Johnson even stated, “I didn’t like how we played, considering who we were playing.” QB, TaQuon Marshall threw a pick in the first half as well as several bad throws. RB, Jordan Mason, gave up the ball with a fumble. And Shawn Davis, the placekicker, booted one directly into the uprights during a routine PAT.
 

The competition wasn’t fierce against the Phoenix, but Elon is tougher than Alcorn State by a longshot. It’s Charlie Strong’s second year, and this could be where things really start to come together under his tenure. A big win against a traditionally more powerful program like GT would go a long way in solidifying a big bowl game for the Bulls.

Bulls Can Swat the Jackets

Yes, the Yellow Jackets are the favorites, but many models actually show the Bulls winning this game by a touchdown. Georgia Tech has only won one out of their last five road games and is 3-5 over their last eight games. Meanwhile, USF is 8-2 over their last 10. It’s a team in decline against a team on the rise.
 

Barnett will continue to drop bombs all over the Georgia Tech secondary. Remember, he was recruited under Nick Saben before transferring over to the Sun Devils. He has a great target in Randall St. Felix, and they could hook up for a couple of touchdowns. But the biggest issues for the Yellow Jackets is they have to face the USF defense. Georgia Tech played sloppily against a team that could be beaten by some high school programs.
 

The USF secondary pulled down 15 interceptions last year, and the Alcon State Braves were able to get a pick off GT. If they go to the air, there will be turnovers. So the Yellow Jackets are likely to keep the ball on the ground. They will score, but in a shootout where one team can effectively launch the ball down the field and score quickly against one that has to rely on the run game, the outcome will favor the passing team.

USF gets the win in a tough surface and air battle.

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