Trib: USF passing game not up to snuff

[USFishin]

USF passing game not up to snuff

By ADAM ADKINS | The Tampa Tribune

When Skip Holtz takes the time to analyze his team, the University of South Florida head football coach can't help but notice the many positive strides being made in multiple facets of the game.

There is, however, one glaring area that has not quite been up to speed in terms of making progress like the others, and it's one the Bulls obviously need to rectify if they're going to have any kind of success moving forward.

The lack of production from the offense, in particular the struggles of sophomore quarterback B.J. Daniels in the passing game, has been the main trouble point thus far this season. It was certainly the pitfall in last week's tough loss to Syracuse in the Bulls' Big East Conference opener, when USF's offense was unable to reach the end zone for the first time this season.

In an effort to remedy the situation before tonight's nationally televised game at No.â25 West Virginia, Holtz met with his staff Monday morning with the purpose of finding answers to a few important questions: What can Daniels do effectively, and how can they put him in a position to thrive and to lead a consistent offensive attack?

"I think we all have ownership in this in what we have to do to try and get it straight because it definitely has been an Achilles' heel of ours here for the last couple weeks," Holtz said. "⦠If you can't put points up on the board, that's how they keep score. We've got to be able to do that as a football team. We've either got to be able to throw the ball, or we've got to run our quarterback more or we've got to run more option. You've got to be able to sit down and look at what all your options are."

Daniels has struggled to find any rhythm in the new offense USF implemented this year. His problems have been particularly evident in USF's two games against programs from BCS conferences, losses to Florida and Syracuse, when he's gone a combined 14 of 43 passing for just 204 yards with six interceptions and one touchdown.

While some of that may be chalked up to growing pains in the new scheme, which coaches have steadfastly maintained the need for patience until everyone gets fully acclimated, the root of the problem and the source of most of the frustration with everyone involved simply boils down to the failure to execute.

"We're pretty much on the same page. We execute as an offense the things in practice. The difficult part is sometimes just transferring it over to the game," said Daniels, who maintains he's perfectly comfortable operating in USF's new offense. "Teams just show us different looks sometimes. A lot of teams tweak stuff. ⦠Just trying to make adjustments in the game time, in live situation, sometimes can be a little difficult."

The Bulls and Daniels, who enjoyed one of the best games in his young collegiate career in a victory against the Mountaineers last season (336 total yards of offense, three touchdown passes), must find a solution tonight in order to stay in the conference race. Another loss would drop USF into a deep hole at 0-2 in the conference standings.

A win, however, could revive hope again of making a run in a seemingly wide-open race to a Big East title.

Link

[smazza]

if bj continues to struggle a change must be made unless backup is worse

if bj continues to struggle he will not be qb next year

[Bull94]

USF passing game not up to snuff

By ADAM ADKINS | The Tampa Tribune

When Skip Holtz takes the time to analyze his team, the University of South Florida head football coach can't help but notice the many positive strides being made in multiple facets of the game.

There is, however, one glaring area that has not quite been up to speed in terms of making progress like the others, and it's one the Bulls obviously need to rectify if they're going to have any kind of success moving forward.

The lack of production from the offense, in particular the struggles of sophomore quarterback B.J. Daniels in the passing game, has been the main trouble point thus far this season. It was certainly the pitfall in last week's tough loss to Syracuse in the Bulls' Big East Conference opener, when USF's offense was unable to reach the end zone for the first time this season.

In an effort to remedy the situation before tonight's nationally televised game at No. 25 West Virginia, Holtz met with his staff Monday morning with the purpose of finding answers to a few important questions: What can Daniels do effectively, and how can they put him in a position to thrive and to lead a consistent offensive attack?

"I think we all have ownership in this in what we have to do to try and get it straight because it definitely has been an Achilles' heel of ours here for the last couple weeks," Holtz said. "… If you can't put points up on the board, that's how they keep score. We've got to be able to do that as a football team. We've either got to be able to throw the ball, or we've got to run our quarterback more or we've got to run more option. You've got to be able to sit down and look at what all your options are."

Daniels has struggled to find any rhythm in the new offense USF implemented this year. His problems have been particularly evident in USF's two games against programs from BCS conferences, losses to Florida and Syracuse, when he's gone a combined 14 of 43 passing for just 204 yards with six interceptions and one touchdown.

While some of that may be chalked up to growing pains in the new scheme, which coaches have steadfastly maintained the need for patience until everyone gets fully acclimated, the root of the problem and the source of most of the frustration with everyone involved simply boils down to the failure to execute.

"We're pretty much on the same page. We execute as an offense the things in practice. The difficult part is sometimes just transferring it over to the game," said Daniels, who maintains he's perfectly comfortable operating in USF's new offense. "Teams just show us different looks sometimes. A lot of teams tweak stuff. … Just trying to make adjustments in the game time, in live situation, sometimes can be a little difficult."

The Bulls and Daniels, who enjoyed one of the best games in his young collegiate career in a victory against the Mountaineers last season (336 total yards of offense, three touchdown passes), must find a solution tonight in order to stay in the conference race. Another loss would drop USF into a deep hole at 0-2 in the conference standings.

A win, however, could revive hope again of making a run in a seemingly wide-open race to a Big East title.

Link

I like that quote. sounds like he is willing to do whatever it takes to win. his pregame quotes last week talked about how we had to pass to win. I feel like he forced the issue in a close game.

[Triple B]

if bj continues to struggle a change must be made unless backup is worse

You just can't get this kind of riveting insight just anywhere ...

[SRQ]

if bj continues to struggle a change must be made unless backup is worse

You just can't get this kind of riveting insight just anywhere ...

its the only reason I keep coming back

[Jihme]

hopefully bj can use his legs to allow receivers to get open.  i pray this doesnt trun into a bloodbath.  if we can't move the ball then the D will be on the field all night and eventually give up a 21 point quarter.