Zebold: Revved-up USF Offense Looks to Stay Sharp in High Gear at Soldier Field

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REVVED-UP USF OFFENSE LOOKS TO STAY IN HIGH GEAR AT SOLDIER FIELD

September 12, 2018

 
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, SEPT. 12, 2018 – After roaring past Georgia Tech with 21 straight fourth-quarter points, USF's high-powered offense looks to stay in high gear against another Power Five foe.

USF (2-0) hits the road for the first time this season to face Illinois (2-0) at noisy Soldier Field in Chicago, where focus will be at the forefront for the Bulls.

"Really focus on what your job is and what you're supposed to do, and go do it at a high level," said offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert of his group. "Nothing over the top. Just go get on the plane and go to work like you would at home."

Home or away, business has been very good for the Bulls under Gilbert's guidance. USF has produced an average of 506.9 yards of offense per game in Gilbert's 14 outings with the program. Against Georgia Tech, the Bulls racked up 400-plus yards of offense for the 12^thstraight game and passed the 40-point mark for the sixth time under Gilbert.

"Every week, we're gaining confidence," Gilbert said.

The Bulls have been spreading the wealth in the process since quarterback Blake Barnett(Corona, Calif.) was handed the keys to Gilbert's offense in the season opener. In just two games, Barnett has thrown touchdown passes to five different receivers while 10 different Bulls have at least one catch to their credit.

"That's exciting. What it does with us is it just continues to grow and develop guys," Gilbert said. "… That's something we'll continue to do."

Sporting an 8-2 road record the past two seasons, USF and its up-tempo offense look to keep things rolling against an Illinois defense that's been "stingy," according to Gilbert. Using a 4-3 scheme and lots of man coverage, Illinois has totaled five takeaways and given up an average of 19 points during the Illini's hot start to the season.

USF generated 680 yards of offense in the first meeting with Illinois, a 47-23 win last September in Tampa, but the Bulls aren't hanging their hats on past achievements.

"Illinois is a great team," said junior receiver Darnell Salomon (Miami). "We've just got to keep our composure, play USF football, do what we've been coached, and just go out there and give it our all."

Ball-Hawking Defense to Face Efficient Illinois Offense
USF's defense had the task of attacking Georgia Tech's productive triple-option offense last week and the Bulls get another tough test Saturday.

Since trailing, 17-3, the first half of the season opener, Illinois' multiple offense has outscored opponents, 62-21, and is averaging 258.5 rushing yards this season.

"You can see that they're much improved from last year on offense," defensive coordinator Brian Jean-Mary said. "They've been able to move the ball in the first two games with two different quarterbacks, which is impressive in itself."

Freshman M.J. Rivers II threw a pair of touchdown passes last week against Western Illinois in place of injured starter AJ Bush Jr., who could return Saturday. No matter who plays, Illinois' quarterbacks have been efficient, combining to complete 27 of 47 passes with no interceptions on top of 178 rushing yards.

"It's going to be a challenge because they present a dual threat at quarterback with both of them, two guys that can run and pass, and the offensive line has done a great job of blocking," Jean-Mary said. "They have three running backs that can hurt you."

 

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