Zebold: USF Defense Eager to Step Up Its Game Against UConn

[Brad]

USF Defense Eager to Step Up Its Game Against UConn

 

By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

 

TAMPA, SEPT. 17, 2014 – Friday’s home game against UConn will mark USF’s first American Athletic Conference test of the season and the Bulls’ defense has been practicing with a big sense of urgency.

 

Defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan’s bunch gave Western Carolina and Maryland fits the first two weeks of the season before hitting a bump in the road during a 49-17 loss to NC State last Saturday at Raymond James Stadium.

 

“We want to play fast, we want to play physical and we want to finish everything. In order to do that you can’t be a thinking defense,” Bresnahan said before Wednesday’s practice. “We were out there and we showed confusion. The window dressing that NC State gave us gave us problems. We didn’t just settle down and play the final formation.”

 

The Bulls have gone back to the basics this week in preparation for a UConn offense that’s far different from the past three opponents.

 

“They’re going to run the football and they tie in their play action pass game very well with that. You’ve got to be able to defend both,” Bresnahan said. “We’re going back to training camp and spring football as far as seeing two backs in the backfield and a tight end, which we have not seen for three weeks now. All these things present you with different challenges but our guys are excited to get back out and get a fresh taste in their mouth about showing everybody what we can do on defense.”

 

Despite the hiccup against the Wolfpack, USF’s defense ranks second in the FBS with 10 turnovers gained. The Bulls fell one short of tying the school record with six turnovers against Maryland and they hope to get back to their usual brand of tough, high intensity football in Friday's nationally televised game on ESPN beginning at 8 p.m.

 

“We will rebound, that’s mandatory,” junior safety Jamie Byrd said. “We’re still working to be one of the top 10 defenses in the country.”

 

In order to get back on track Bresnahan said it’s important for the Bulls to get back to the fundamentals ...

 

 

More on the Bulls and Angry Byrd

[El_Toro_86]

I'm not worried about the defense.  Bresnehan will get it figured out and there's a lot of youth and experience on the field.  They will get better as the year goes on.

 

On the other hand, Taggs and his offense....

[BullFan98]

I am worried about both.  Our defense has shown glimmers of greatness, but are very inconsistent.  Against NC St. we played very loose on defense with too much space between our DBs & their WRs; Coverage was very poor in my opinion.

[dabull80]

Nope.....our D-line was missing in action the last game.  Jacoby Brissett had lots of time to pick us apart. To some extent the coverage was off but not 49 points worth off.  Cinci will crush us with Gunner Kiel at QB if we play like that against them.

[BrowardBull17]

Terrible offense puts too much pressure on the defense.

[Dhambuc]

When the opposing team has and runs double the plays on offense, and has 10 minutes more TOP  the defense will get tired.  (esp with the amount of youth and depth on the team ) Hell even if we were Alabama the Defense would still be tired playing as much as our defense has to be on the field.  

Edited September 18, 2014 by Dhambuc

[The Great 8]

Nope.....our D-line was missing in action the last game.  Jacoby Brissett had lots of time to pick us apart. To some extent the coverage was off but not 49 points worth off.  Cinci will crush us with Gunner Kiel at QB if we play like that against them.

 

How does Cincy have a consistent pipeline of QB talent? Ever since the dude before Tony Pike they've had one of the leagues best signal callers.

[DELdaBull]

We need pressure. And penetration

[hm101]

We need pressure. And penetration

Heard that before.

[raptorcj]

Terrible offense puts too much pressure on the defense.

This, to some degree. It's hard to fight for the ball like they did vs Maryland and then watch your offense peter the opportunities away. Hopefully just mental stuff here...