Trib: Newcomer Scott soars in coaches' eyes

[USFishin]

Newcomer Scott soars in coaches' eyes

By ADAM ADKINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 14, 2011

Updated: September 14, 2011 - 10:20 PM

TAMPA --

Darrell Scott's performance during Saturday's 37-7 win against Ball State, which included 82 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, was just what USF offensive coordinator Todd Fitch envisioned getting from the junior running back.

Except, of course, Scott's penchant for attempting to leap over defenders.

"I'm not sure what he's doing there," Fitch said, laughing, after the game. "I asked him if he ran track in high school and he said he did, though I'm not sure he was a hurdler."

Scott went airborne on a handful of occasions against the Cardinals, including one successful leap on his longest play of the night, a 31-yard run in the third quarter. He later capped the drive with a 1-yard scoring run, his first touchdown with the Bulls.

As it turns out, hurdling defenders was a big part of Scott's repertoire in high school and even during his stint at Colorado, though he caught coaches and teammates off-guard because he'd never displayed the flashy move during his time at USF.

"I don't know if he's trying to become a hurdle champion or what he's trying to do. When you're 245 pounds, you run through people, you don't jump over people," USF coach Skip Holtz said with a chuckle after the game.

Scott, who certainly has no problem with lowering his shoulder to a defender, admitted he might have gotten a bit hurdle-happy. He added going forward he'll probably think twice about leaving his feet, especially after the shot he took to the lower region on his attempt to go over a defender.

The biggest thing to take away from the performance, though, is that Scott made a leap from Week 1 to Week 2, and he now feels like he's finding his way again on the field after missing the last year and a half following his transfer from Colorado.

"(Against Notre Dame) everything went fast for him. It slowed down (against Ball State)," Fitch said. "He looked more natural out there. I think he'll continue to grow."

Scott took away a lot of positives from his performance against the Cardinals — "I think I hit the holes right. I didn't let the first tackler put me down. I just let the line open up the holes. That was the main thing," he said — but he believes the running game, which also features fellow junior Demetris Murray, has a chance to really take off going forward.

"I think so, if we just stay focused and do the little things. It's all about the little things," said Scott, who leads the team with 115 rushing yards and is averaging 5.0 yards per carry. "We had other seams and other plays that we could have potentially did better on, but if we just stay put and just let the line do what they do every week we'll make plays."

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[DELdaBull]

Young man has me excited. I love a good running back.

[E.T.]

Looking good !

I want he and Murray over 100 Saturday!

[Bull Martin]

Looking good !

I want he and Murray over 100 Saturday!

Only if they get it in the first 2.5 quarters.  Otherwise, save that effort for Pitt.

[Apis Bull]

Looking good !

I want he and Murray over 100 Saturday!

Only if they get it in the first 2.5 quarters.  Otherwise, save that effort for Pitt.

Hopefully, just the first two quarters.

[E.T.]

I agree . . . I think everyone feels good with our two starters.

[charsibb]

Is it too early to start talking Heismann?? >

[Jihme]

loving what this 1-2 punch can be.  it reminds me of jacobs and brandshaw, just not as exaggerated.

[bullsbucsfan426]

Is it too early to start talking Heismann?? >

Yes, unfortunately.

You can start talking if we're ranked top ten in late November, undefeated and with a Big East title on the line.

[mikemcp88]

Way too early for heisman talk and I would think is sharing too much of the workload at this point to put up heisman numbers. Perhaps next year there will be a better shot, but this depends on how Murray is playing