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By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, OCT. 30, 2014 – Fullback Kennard Swanson has become a weapon for the USF offense thanks in part to becoming a dedicated student of the game.

The redshirt freshman from Lakeland, Fla., made his third career start last week at Cincinnati and he's become a solid option in the passing game, averaging 16.6 yards per catch, while paving the way for star freshman Marlon Mack and the rest of the Bulls' backs.

“It's exciting. I like to step up to the challenge and help the team out when I can,” Swanson said. “I really came in believing that I was going to block a lot. Getting the ball just adds onto it.”

Fans are growing accustomed to seeing Swanson making a tough catch or providing a bruising block and coaches think they're just scratching the surface with an athletic player that's in his very first year as a full-time fullback.

“Over the summer he did a lot of studying, knowing that he was going to be the guy we were going to look upon,” running backs coach Telly Lockette said. “He's not where he needs to be yet but he's getting there. He's making great strides and as a redshirt freshman he's doing a tremendous job.”

Swanson get accustomed to his current position when he spent all of last season on the scout team after playing mainly on the defensive line at Lake Gibson High School, also where former USF QB standout Matt Grothe attended.

“He does whatever you say, he believes in the program and he believes in Coach (Willie) Taggart and what he's doing,” Lockette said. “He's just a great kid to be around from Polk County.”

USF's scout team fullback was actually a position where two of the team's current starters played at last season. Swanson has impressed coaches during eight games this season and redshirt freshman Auggie Sanchez ranks fourth on the team with 42 tackles at linebacker.

“If you look at it last year we had Kennard and Auggie Sanchez together at fullback. Now look at what both of those guys are doing,” Lockette said. “We knew we had two good ones. It was good to have those two guys in my meeting room.”

Swanson (6-0, 253 pounds) and Sanchez (6-2, 241) bring the same physical style to the field and Swanson's blocking has been a big reason why the Bulls are averaging 119.0 rushing yards, up from 88.7 yards per game last season. USF has 10 rushing touchdowns this season compared to four in 12 games last year.

Swanson's aggressive style helped him become an all-state selection at Lake Gibson, where he played defensive tackle and end along with serving as the Braves' fullback in short-yardage situations.

“You know that he loves contact, so if you get the technique and fundamentals down he's going to be a good one,” Lockette said.

Fans tuning into USF's road test at Wisconsin on Sept. 27 saw that Swanson is becoming a talented pass-catcher as well. Swanson posted a career-high two catches for 74 yards and his performance included a 52-yard play.

“He's a kid that has some great, soft hands. He catches the ball naturally out here in practice and that's a trait he's just realizing he has,” Lockette said.

“I honestly never played a position where I had to catch the ball, so I never really knew,” Swanson added. “It's just something I've got better with since I've been here.”

Fans can watch Swanson's continuous progression as a fullback 4 p.m. Saturday when the Bulls return to Raymond James Stadium to take on conference foe Houston. Purchase tickets HERE.

QB Update

Taggart has yet to name a starting quarterback for Saturday but he continues to see good things in practice from sophomore Mike White, junior Steven Bench and true freshman Quinton Flowers.

“Guys are going out and executing the plays,” Taggart said. “I think it's just more than that because we've been seeing that all year long in practice. As I said earlier in the week, I'm not necessarily looking for (just) that. It's more of who is going to bring energy? Who is going to play with some passion? Who is going to compete? That's kind of the things we've been looking for and it's been fun.”

Taggart noted the coaching staff is constantly evaluating all other positions in order to put the Bulls in the best position to win games.

“We thought making competition was what's best for our football team. I'm going to keep going back to that at every position,” Taggart said. “We can't have any complacency. We can't have guys thinking just because I've been around here that I've just got the job. That doesn't work that way. We've got to produce with that job. We need guys to step up and make plays at every position, and compete at every position.”

Bulls' Graduation Success Rate Continues to Climb

The NCAA recently announced Graduation Success Rates (GSR) for all Division I institutions that consists of a six-year period starting with freshmen that entered college in 2007.

Taggart's football team saw its GSR rise to a program-high 69 percent, an increase of 12 percent over the previous year and it's the fifth consecutive year in which the Bulls saw improvement. The USF football program previously posted an Academic Progress Rate (APR) score of 973, which ranked among the top 25 FBS schools for the second consecutive year.

“You talk about winning and I think that's where winning starts – in the classroom, away from the field. The rest is going to come on the football field,” Taggart said. 'I'm really proud of our guys for taking care of that part of it, their academics, which is the most important part. Now we just have to continue to work to get football up on the same level.”

USF Athletics as a whole posted a department record 83 percent Graduation Success Rate. Learn more about USF and the GSR HERE.

Marshall Mayhem Set for Friday at Noon

USF students and football fans can get pumped up for Saturday's game by attending Marshall Mayhem on Friday starting at noon at the Marshall Center Amphitheater.

The Green and Gold pep rally features the entire football team, Spirit Squads, the Herd of Thunder, Rocky the Bull and USF student-athletes from various sports. Free food and a limited amount of USF T-shirts will be given out to attendees.

Injury Update

Taggart said tight end Sean Price and linebacker Rahmon Swain are probable for Saturday's game. Both seniors have been recovering from ankle injuries.

USF football single game tickets, mini-plans and season tickets are available on-line at GoUSFBulls.com, by calling 1-800-GoBulls, or in person at the Sun Dome Gate A Ticket Office. Season Ticket Members may renew their tickets on-line today.