8/15 Practice

[Triple B]

Defense the winner of USF scrimmage

 

Joey Knight, Times Staff Writer

 

TAMPA — Based on the first extensive scrimmage of USF's preseason, the Bulls' breakneck offense remains a work in forward progress, though some dazzle can be found amid the defects.

 

The offense accounted for three touchdown passes — two by senior quarterback Steven Bench — and five turnovers during a searing two-hour dress rehearsal Saturday before several dozen spectators at the Morsani Complex.

 

Coach Willie Taggart said the defense — which got points for interceptions, turnovers on downs, etc. — won the day but no winner has emerged in the quarterback duel. Bench had the play of the day, a 95-yard TD pass to redshirt freshman Tyre McCants down the right sideline, but he also had two interceptions.

 

Sophomore QB Quinton Flowers (one interception), who took the day's first snaps, later directed a unit of mostly second-teamers on a 90-yard drive that couldn't score despite first and goal at the 3-yard line.

 

"Again, there are too many turnovers," Taggart said. "We know for us, if we don't turn the ball over, we've got a pretty darn good chance. … We want touchdowns; we want scores. We want guys that can lead us down there, who don't turn the ball over and do it consistently."

Employing its crisp no-huddle tempo throughout the scrimmage, the offense committed no delay-of-game infractions and appeared steadiest on the ground, with tailbacks Marlon Mack, D'Ernest Johnson and Darius Tice consistently finding running lanes. The quarterbacks, whistled down if touched with two hands, also found regular success on sprint-option and zone-read plays.

 

But the offense struggled mightily near the goal line, an area in which Taggart said the Bulls haven't installed a lot of packages, and was hamstrung by turnovers.

 

Link

 

Surprised no one has mentioned this yet .....

[El_Toro_86]

 

I thought he was moved to receiver.

I believe you are correct

 

WR #18

[raptorcj]

 

Employing its crisp no-huddle tempo throughout the scrimmage, the offense committed no delay-of-game infractions and appeared steadiest on the ground, with tailbacks Marlon Mack, D'Ernest Johnson and Darius Tice consistently finding running lanes. The quarterbacks, whistled down if touched with two hands, also found regular success on sprint-option and zone-read plays.

 

But the offense struggled mightily near the goal line, an area in which Taggart said the Bulls haven't installed a lot of packages, and was hamstrung by turnovers.

 

Link

 

Surprised no one has mentioned this yet .....

True, it's a positive that got lost in the negative of all the other penalties, I guess. Good catch.