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PHOTO GALLERY
TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
MEMPHIS, TENN., NOV. 22, 2014 –True freshman Marlon Mack zoomed past the 1,000-yard rushing mark but the Bulls couldn't complete their second straight road comeback, falling to conference-leading Memphis, 31-20, before a crowd of 34,635 at the Liberty Bowl on Saturday night.
Mack became the only the third Bull and first freshman to rush for 1,000 yards in a season while gaining 102 yards on 16 carries. The Sarasota native's fourth 100-yard performance of the season included a career-long, 75-yard touchdown in the first half. Mack ranks fourth on USF's single-season rushing charts with 1,009 yards with one game remaining on the 2014 schedule. His four 100-yard games are the most in a season since B.J. Daniels had four in 2009.
The Bulls didn't go down without a fight, cutting the deficit to 31-20 with 1:14 remaining on a 9-yard touchdown pass from backup Steven Bench (Bainbridge, Ga.) to Andre Davis (Tampa). Davis made an amazing one-handed grab despite pass interference being called on Memphis on the play for his 17th career TD catch. The Tigers sealed the game by securing the on-side kick attempt.
Despite the loss, USF (4-7, 3-4) finished with 396 yards of total offense and dominated time of possession (36:47-23:13). Memphis made up for the lack of possession time with 238 rushing yards, 189 from Brandon Hayes. Quarterback Paxton Lynch rushed for two scores and passed for two more as the Tigers registered 470 total yards.
“Offensively we played better than we did earlier in the year. It was good to see that but we also missed some opportunities there,” head coach Willie Taggart said. “That turnover (in the third quarter) really hurt us down in the red zone and defensively there were a lot of missed tackles and missed assignments that cost us, especially early in the game.”
Memphis (8-3, 6-1) came into the contest with a half-game lead in The American standings but it was USF that took the initial advantage following a missed field goal by the Tigers. Senior Marvin Kloss (Naples, Fla.) made a 21-yard field goal with 7:32 remaining in the first quarter after the Bulls got into Memphis territory with a 30-yard catch by Davis on a third-and-7 from the USF 30.
A pair of touchdown runs by Lynch helped spot Memphis a 14-3 lead, but the Bulls bounced back in a big way at the start of the second quarter.
Mack moved closer to the 1,000-yard mark by racing to the end zone for a career-long 75-yard touchdown run, his ninth of the season, to help cut the deficit to 14-10 with 14:49 to go before halftime. Mack's big play marked the sixth-longest run in USF history and the Bulls' longest since Marcus Shaw ran for an 80-yard touchdown in the 2013 season opener.
Memphis extended its lead to 21-10 with 13:25 remaining in the first half before the Bulls put together their longest drive of the season. Kloss' 35-yard field goal capped off a 16-play, 75-yard drive that took 7 minutes, 57 seconds off the clock. Kloss has made at least one field goal in 10 games this season.
Mack headed into the game needing 93 yards to reach 1,000 and The American's leading rusher accomplished the feat by halftime with 99 yards on 11 carries. Andre Hall owns the top two single-season rushing marks in program history with 1,374 yards in 2005 and 1,357 yards in 2004. Dyral McMillan became USF's first 1,000-yard rusher with 1,017 yards in 1999.
Trailing, 28-13, late in the third quarter, USF marched 71 yards down to the Memphis 4 but failed to punch it into the end zone after a series of unfortunate events. White was forced to sit out a play after he was injured while being sacked and the Bulls fumbled away a reverse run attempt on a third-and-goal from the 9-yard line. Memphis capitalized on the turnover with a 35-yard field goal by Jake Elliot with 14:22 remaining.
White exited the game with a leg injury for the final time following another hit with 4:51 remaining. The sophomore from Fort Lauderdale completed 21 of 35 passes for 244 yards after winning the competition for USF's starting job in practice this week.
“I feel like a football player,” said White, declaring he was OK after the game.
Bench provided a spark near the end, finding Davis on fourth down for the receiver's school record 17th touchdown catch of his career. Davis caught four passes for 62 yards to extend his program record to 2,079 career receiving yards.
Mack led the Bulls with career-high eight catches for 57 yards, while senior tight end Mike McFarland (Tampa) made four catches for a career-high 64 yards.
USF was not at full strength heading into its battle with Memphis as starting left guard Thor Jozwiak (Eagle Lake, Fla.) and receiver Rodney Adams (St. Petersburg) did not play because of injuries. Senior defensive tackle Elkino Watson (Miami) missed his second game due to a suspension for violating team rules.
USF (4-7, 3-4) now turns its attention to the season finale and in-state rivalry game against UCF that takes place Friday, Nov. 28 at Raymond James Stadium. USF's Senior Day game is set for a noon start and fans can purchase tickets HERE.
“It's a great opportunity to go into the offseason with a win, especially against a rival, and our guys will be ready,” Taggart said.
The USF Football program is in its 18th season and 15th at the FBS level. The Bulls have made six bowl appearances, including every season between 2005-10, and have four bowl game victories. USF has produced 14 All-America selections, 23 NFL Draft picks and reached the No. 2 ranking in the Associated Press Poll in 2007.
USF is currently taking football season ticket deposits by calling 1-800-GoBulls, or in person at the Ticket Sales and Service Center in the Sun Dome administrative offices (Gate B).
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