GoUSFBulls.com Zebold: TICE, MCCANTS HAPPY TO BE BACK IN USF'S UP-TEMPO ATTACK

[Brad]

TICE, MCCANTS HAPPY TO BE BACK IN USF'S UP-TEMPO ATTACK

By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, AUG. 17, 2017 – USF Football is nearly a week away from unleashing its accelerated, up-tempo attack on opponents with two very important Bulls back in the arsenal.

Senior running back Darius Tice and go-to, junior receiver Tyre McCants – now both healthy – are excited about helping the Bulls build off their record-breaking 2016 season that saw the offense set nearly 40 team and individual records.

"I'm lucky and blessed to be back here with my teammates," said Tice, who received a medical redshirt for 2016.

Bulls fans know just how beneficial it is to have a 205-pound locomotive like Tice in the mix, especially after seeing what the Miami native did last season before breaking his ankle against Florida State. Tice averaged 5.6 yards per carry and racked up a career-high 120 yards in his first start against Northern Illinois in week 2.

Tice needs just 126 more rushing yards to reach 1,000 in his USF career and he's looked even more explosive through 19 practices this fall. 

"He was so fortunate to get the opportunity to come back and do it again. He's taking advantage of that," running backs coach Shaun King said. "He's very focused and understands how fortunate he is. You can see it, there's a different bounce in his step."

Aside from bringing his relentless running style, Tice hasn't stopped upping his game in the leadership department. The fifth-year Bull always makes a point of giving younger players valuable advice during practice and uses his fun-loving attitude to make sure everyone is upbeat on the field.

"He's just a great, overall guy," McCants said. "If you're down, he's always going to pick you up. He's always going to bring you along and he's never going to leave anybody behind."

Like Tice, McCants is determined to leave defenses in the dust now...

 

Rest of story and Bulls Bits

[NewEnglandBull]

No one has been really talking about Tice in terms of our RBs. He could be the most important element as our O is designed to suck in defenders with power game then hit them with an up tempo passing attack. I think Tice will have a tremendous year. 

[Brad]

That up the gut running is Tice and DJ.  Probably fits Strong's offense better.

Mack was a different style.  

[raptorcj]

I'm excited to see what a more mature McCants is going to do to secondaries. This kid is secret-weapon special IMO.