A Look at the First Half of USF Football Season
October 16, 2014 | Football
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By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, OCT. 16, 2014 – USF Football's season has reached its midpoint and there has been plenty to talk about in the first two quarters of 2014.
Head coach Willie Taggart unleashed the Mack Attack in the season opener and the freshman back has earned rave reviews on the way to passing the 500-yard rushing mark.
Sophomore quarterback Mike White has enjoyed having more targets to throw to in year two of Taggart's system and USF's newest playmakers continue to show why the Bulls' recruiting class was rated at the top of the American Athletic Conference.
USF's defense has discovered new stars in its cast (Jamie Byrd, Auggie Sanchez) and the Bulls made a ton of headlines with the way they forced turnovers at a rapid pace early on.
The Bulls also had a blast celebrating with their fans after posting wins over Western Carolina and UConn in The American opener at Raymond James Stadium and the story goes on.
USF begins the second half of its season Saturday at noon (ET) at Tulsa, so let's take an in-depth look at the team's standout performers and top storylines before we all get our popcorn ready for the second act of 2014.
Top Performers
Marlon Mack: The Mack Attack made a huge splash in his first game on the college scene by tying a program record and setting a new American record with 275 rushing yards along with four touchdowns in the season opener. The Sarasota native posted his second 100-plus yard performance in the win over UConn and he's more than halfway to becoming USF's third 1,000-yard rusher. Mack currently leads The American with 597 rushing yards and he's scored six touchdowns, two more than the Bulls' totaled on the ground in 2013.
“When (the freshmen) came here I told all the backs it's been a long time since USF had a 1,000-yard rusher. We'd like to get back to that and it's a good start for him,” Taggart said.
Jamie Byrd: Taggart was excited when the Bulls signed the junior safety that put together an All-American campaign at the JUCO level and the Bull nicknamed “Angry Byrd” has been flying around the field in his debut season with USF. Byrd intercepted USF's first pass of the season in the opener and the Dade City, Fla., native leads the team with 51 total tackles and The American with 42 solo stops. Byrd has led USF in tackles four times this season and he racked up a career-high 14 tackles at Wisconsin.
“It's everything we expect,” defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan said. “I went back and watched high school tape from Pasco High School. He's been the type of player he is his entire career. We're very excited to have a local product come back and contribute the way Jamie has.”
Nate Godwin: The local product from Tampa's Freedom High School ranked fourth on the team with 49 tackles as a true freshman in 2013 and he's one more solid performance away from topping last season's total. Godwin is second on the team with 45 total tackles this season (35 solo stops) and he matched Byrd with a career-high 14 stops at Wisconsin. Godwin stepped up again last week with a team-leading eight tackles against East Carolina and he's already gained a ton of experience with 15 starts in 18 career games.
“I challenged Nate before the season to not have a sophomore slump. He's holding up his part of the bargain,” Taggart said.
Mattias Ciabatti: The former Hillsborough High School standout earned a lot of praise this preseason after ranking third in USF's single-season history books with 2,937 yards (40.2 yards per punt) in 2013. The junior has stepped up his game even more in his second season as the Bulls' primary punter, ranking first in The American and 14th in the FBS with 45.5 yards per kick. The former walk-on has placed 12 of his 34 punts inside opponents' 20-yard line. Watch Ciabatti pin UConn inside its own 15-yard line five times HERE.
“I have said before, I would put both of our kickers up with any kickers in the country,” Taggart said.
Thor Jozwiak: USF's most emotional leader that sports a Mohawk haircut became the feel-good story of the fall when he returned to action after missing all of last season with a heart condition that required medical treatment. The Bulls have felt really good about having the junior left guard in the starting lineup and it's been apparent with their production. USF has averaged 154.3 rushing yards in the four games Jozwiak has suited up for. He missed two games with shoulder and toe injuries.
“I can't tell you how amazing it feels. Coming out of the tunnel knowing you're ready to play is awesome, but coming out of that locker room with your brothers, just being able to practice again is unbelievable,” said Jozwiak of his return to action this season.
Top Storylines
Offensive Production: USF's offense has already equaled last season's touchdown total of 11 and it's taken half the time. Powered by Mack, the Bulls have doubled last season's rushing TD total of four and the offense is posting 294.5 yards per game, nearly 40 more than last season. The spike in offensive production also can be attributed to the added experience of second-year starting quarterback Mike White. “I think Mike understands what he's doing a lot better than a year ago,” Taggart said.
Newcomers Continue to Shine: Taggart has started 10 true freshmen and played 17 since taking over at USF and members of the Bulls' top-ranked recruiting class in the American Athletic Conference continue to produce. Aside from Mack, true freshmen starters have included defensive back Devin Abraham and receiver Ryeshene Bronson, who hauled in a 75-yard touchdown catch against NC State. On the defensive side, JUCO signee Jamie Byrd leads the team with 51 tackles and 42 solo stops. Sophomore receiver Rodney Adams, a transfer from Toledo, has made an impressive USF debut, leading the team with 231 receiving yards and five rushes for 52 yards and a touchdown.
Dunkley Has Been Electric in Return Game: Opponents kicking and punting the ball away from Chris Dunkley has become a norm this season because of the way the speedy senior has been returning the ones he gets. The former five-star recruit from Pahokee, Fla., ranks seventh in the FBS and first in The American with 470 combined return yards. Dunkley also has made his transition to cornerback a successful one by leading the team with five pass breakups. “Chris Dunkley is an electrifying open-field runner for #USF. Great on kickoff and punt returns.” – Tampa Tribune writer Joey Johnston @JJohnstonTBO.
Bulls Getting a Ton of TV Time: Playing in front of a nationally televised audience is something the Bulls are used to at this point in the season. USF has played on CBS Sports Network twice, ESPNU twice, ESPN once on Friday night once two more nationally televised games are ahead. USF-Tulsa will air on ESPNews on Saturday at noon (ET) and the Bulls' battle at Cincinnati will be broadcast on ESPN2 next Friday night.
Davis Is Very Important Bull: Senior receiver Andre Davis bruised his sternum making a diving 44-yard catch in the season opener and the offense got a huge boost during his return to the lineup last week against ECU. The Tampa native became USF's all-time leader in receiving yards while posting six catches for 124 yards, including a 51-yard TD reception in the first quarter. Davis remained productive while recovering from his injury in what he described as “coach mode.” The team captain continued to mentor USF's younger receivers and provided the team with vocal leadership. Davis helped the offense set a season high with 257 passing yards against ECU and Taggart has noticed an extra pep in the Bulls' step since Davis return. “It's good to just have him back out there with the guys. You can see a difference in our football team, just his presence out there catching the football, running around and making some the catches that he normally makes,” Taggart said.
USF football season ticket renewals are available. Members may renew their tickets today online, by calling 1-800-GoBulls, or in person at the Ticket Sales and Service Center in the Sun Dome administrative offices (Gate B).
