GoUSFBulls.com LOUK'S CLOSER LOOK: WEEK 12

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LOUK'S CLOSER LOOK: WEEK 12

November 25, 2016 

 

By JIM LOUK

Voice of the Bulls

TAMPA, NOV. 25, 2016 - Back on Sept. 3, when the Bulls opened their season against Towson, we had high hopes. 

Now, as the Bulls close their regular season against UCF, the offensive record books have been re-written, a star has been born at quarterback, and the team has a chance to become the first USF Football team to win 10 games in a season. 

Although the Bulls need some help from East Carolina to have a chance at a spot in the conference championship game, it’s been a remarkable year; one that will be unique in USF Football history.

This will be senior day; the last home game for a number of players that have played a vital role in the history of the program. As Willie Taggart has said, this class came to USF based on faith rather than proof that the program would turn around. The hard work this senior class has put in is a big reason the team stands at 9-2 today. Please make it into the stadium a little early Saturday if you can for the senior ceremonies before the game.

Now, onto our eighth meeting with UCF, and the first under the new “War on I-4” designation:

- Pretty cool trophy, isn’t it?

- The Bulls lead the series with UCF 5-2, with USF winning 44-3 in Orlando exactly one year ago.

- The Knights can score in a lot of ways. They have seven non-offensive touchdowns; four interception returns, a fumble return, a kickoff return, and a punt return.

- The Bulls enter this game ranked No. 7 in the nation in scoring offense, while the Knights are No. 26 in the nation in scoring defense.

- Marlon Mack needs just 18 yards to achieve his third consecutive 1,000 yard rushing season.  His career total is 3,404 yards.

- St. Petersburg native Shaquem Griffin is a great story for UCF.  Moved from safety to linebacker this year, he has 11 sacks on the season. And he’s done it after having most of his left hand amputated at an early age.

- Quinton Flowers has run for 1,273 yards this year. If he can get 109 against UCF, he’ll erase Marlon Mack’s single-season record of 1,381, set just last year.

- Flowers has also tied his own USF record with 22 touchdown passes in a season, set in 2015.

- UCF has qualified for a bowl, meaning it will become just the eighth FBS team ever to go from winless to a bowl game in one year. It’s the second time the Knights have accomplished that.

Television coverage this week will again be on the CBS Sports Network.  On the radio, we’ll begin at 10 a.m. with the pre-game on AM-820 in Tampa, with affiliates AM-880 in Miami, AM-1080 in Orlando, FM-99.9 in Brooksville, and FM-107.9 in Jacksonville.  Satellite radio this week will be Sirius 134 and XM 201.  We’re on the Tune In app and on GoUSFBulls.com as well.  Kickoff is at noon.

The Bulls need a win against UCF and a Temple loss to East Carolina to play next weekend in the American Athletic Conference Championship game.  Regardless of what happens Saturday, there is more USF Football ahead, as the Bulls will play in a bowl game for the second year in a row and the eighth time in program history.  Watch for details on GoUSFBulls.com.

Thanks, USF Football, for a great year.  Season 20 has been pretty exciting.

GO BULLS!