Scouting report: UC-South Florida

[Brad]

Courtesy THEIR Newspaper:

When South Florida runs

Redshirt freshman quarterback B.J. Daniels, who took over after starter Matt Grothe tore his ACL against Charleston Southern on Sept. 19, is the Bulls' leading rusher, averaging 58.2 yards per game on 48 carries. Unlike Grothe, who was a running threat when pass plays broke down, Daniels often runs within the context of the offense. When Daniels isn't running, the ball usually goes to Mo Plancher, who averages 4.7 yards per carry. UC is coming off a game in which it held Miami to 30 rushing yards. The Bearcats rank 25th nationally against the run, allowing 105.6 yards per game, and lead the nation in tackles for loss, averaging 10 per game.

When South Florida passes

Daniels has established himself in his brief time as a threat to run, but if defenses focus too much on stopping him on the ground, he can burn them through the air. He has completed 57.1 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and two interceptions. His favorite receiver is junior Carlton Mitchell, who has caught 21 passes for 377 yards and three touchdowns. UC counters with a defense that had 10 sacks against Miami two weeks ago and ranks second nationally in sacks with 4.2 per game. Defensive end Alex Daniels is fourth in the Big East with 5.5 sacks. UC leads the league in interceptions with 10, three by linebacker JK Schaffer.

When UC runs

Junior running back John Goebel, the Bearcats' second-leading rusher a year ago, is ready to go after nursing a hamstring injury all season, but the bulk of the carries will be handled by senior Jacob Ramsey and sophomore Isaiah Pead. Ramsey rushed for 103 yards against Miami to become the first UC back to gain 100 yards since the opening game of the 2007 season. South Florida has allowed 104.8 rushing yards per game.

When UC passes

Tony Pike and company will be challenged by a South Florida pass defense that leads the Big East, allowing only 158.2 yards per game. It starts up front with defensive ends George Selvie and Jason Pierre-Paul, two of the best in the league. Selvie is the nation's leader in career sacks with 27.5. Safety Nate Allen leads the Bulls with 29 tackles, three pass breakups and two interceptions, and has a knack for coming up with game-changing turnovers. UC has allowed only three sacks, thanks in part to Pike's quick release. The Bearcats rank sixth nationally in pass offense, averaging 329.8 yards. Wide receiver Mardy Gilyard needs one touchdown reception to tie his former teammate, Dominick Goodman, for No. 1 on UC's career list with 22.

Special teams

Gilyard and South Florida's Dontavia Bogan ranked 1-2 in the Big East in kickoff returns last year but have been held in check in 2009, with Gilyard averaging 21.7 yards per return to Bogan's 23.3. Neither team has relied heavily on its field goal kickers. USF's Eric Schwartz has made just two of five this season and missed twice against Florida State. UC's Jake Rogers has attempted only three field goals, making two. UC uses two punters, with Rogers handling the kicks when a rugby style approach is called for and freshman Patrick O'Donnell doing the straightaway kicks. Rogers had a streak of 58 straight successful extra-point attempts come to an end against Miami.

Game keys

UC's offense, which ranks third in the nation in scoring, must contend with the nation's fifth-ranked scoring defense. The Bulls will try to slow UC's passing attack by trying to disrupt Pike with pressure from their defensive ends. The Bearcats, who have been on the extreme short end of time of possession the past two games, are looking to hold onto the ball longer to keep their defense off the field for prolonged stretches. UC is averaging just 6.8 plays per scoring drive, taking up 2:25 per score. ... USF defensive coordinator Joe Tresey held the same position at UC the last two years and knows the Bearcats' offensive personnel well, but UC also knows Tresey's defensive tendencies. ... South Florida has won its last five games against teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 and has won two straight at home against Top 10 teams. UC has won three straight over USF. ... Game time temperatures are expected to be in the high 80s, so the Bearcats will have to adjust to the hot weather.

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[Mr.F]

They forgot the (OH) after all of those Miami call outs. Just sayin'. Makes a bit of a difference.

[Brad]

Miami (OH - not the real one)