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By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
MIAMI BEACH, DEC. 19, 2015 – USF and Western Kentucky will be on opposing sidelines at the Miami Beach Bowl, but both schools were on the same team for a very good reason Saturday morning.
The Bulls and Hilltoppers joined forces and volunteered at Feeding South Florida, the leading domestic hunger-relief organization in the region. Located in Pembroke Park, Feeding South Florida is one of 200 food banks across the Feeding America network that rescues food and serves four county areas that have 785,040 individuals in need.
USF gave Feeding South Florida a huge boost for the holiday season by packaging 7,580 pounds of food that will feed 6,137 families.
“The two teams working hard and really giving back to the community is a huge benefit not only to us, but to the families that we serve,” said Paco Velez, President and CEO of Feeding South Florida.
Head coach Willie Taggart and his staff rolled up their sleeves and joined the players that worked hard at various stations to complete the goodwill mission.
“We're very blessed as young men, as coaches and our families for what we have over the holiday season. We want to do what we can to help,” defensive coordinator Tom Allen said.
After a training session, the Bulls inspected food to make sure items were safe for distribution. Food was then sorted into categories and packed into boxes that will go out to families in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe County over the holidays.
“Just to help people that aren't as fortunate as us is something really special,” linebacker Auggie Sanchez said. “We're glad we can lend a helping hand and make a difference.”
The experience really hit home for USF's 10 Miami area natives, including starting quarterback Quinton Flowers, who is from the Liberty City neighborhood.
“It feels really good to come out and show these people that we support them and we're here for them,” Flowers said. “There are a lot of people that are needy, so we just came out to help them.”
Learn more about the organization that serves 25 percent of Florida's food insecure population by visiting FeedingSouthFlorida.org.
Seniors Reflect on Final Practice as Bulls
The Bulls were back at Flamingo Park in South Beach for the final practice of the season Saturday afternoon, which was a pretty sweet experience for the seniors.
“What a way to go out down here in Miami. Last practice getting ready for a bowl game. I wouldn't want to end it any other way,” starting left guard Thor Jozwiak said. “It's emotional, but it's on the positive side of emotion. It's been a fun time.”
Following the bowl game, Jozwiak said he'll start training for a pro football career before getting married in February.
“I'm going to give myself about the month of December and then I'm going to start training come January and try to make it to the next level,” he said. “I have aspirations to go to the next level.”
Tight end Sean Price described his final practice as a Bull as “bittersweet” after showcasing his pass-catching ability numerous times during 11-on-11 work. Price owns USF's career tight end records for receptions (75) and receiving yards (897) heading into the bowl game.
“I'm happy with the way the season went. Practice went well like it always does toward the end of the season,” he said. “I know I'm going to miss it; miss my guys, my coaches, the fellowship and everything.”
Defensive end Shawn Hill has put together a breakout season as a Bull with 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and an interception. Relentless effort helped Hill earn solid playing time this season and that's what he brought Saturday.
“We were just trying to have fun and just give it our all,” he said.
Hill noted he still has one last run with the Bulls and said he's anxious for Monday to arrive.
“I'm just ready to get in between those lines and play smash-mouth football, how USF Bulls know how to play,” he said.
Bulls Bits
- Miami Beach Bowl festivities continued Saturday with an afternoon full of fun for the fans at the Beach Bash. The Battle of the Bands featured both programs' marching bands competing in events. School mascots continued to get the crowd pumped up while spirit squads performed for a packed crowd. Catch up on all the weekend events at MiamiBeachBowl.com.
- USF has set a program record with more than 5,000 tickets distributed for Monday's nationally televised ESPN game. “Wow! Big-time!” Taggart shouted. “I know the Bulls Nation is very excited about the football program. They're excited about where it's going and this is what we all wanted.”
- Saturday's practice ended in dramatic and joyous fashion with a Bull rush downfield. Johnny Ward blocked a field goal attempt that was returned all the way by Jalen Spencer, who was mobbed by teammates – and coaches - in the end zone.
Season ticket deposits for the 2016 season start at $125 and can be placed at USFBullstix.com. The Bulls will play seven home games in Raymond James Stadium in 2016, hosting Florida State on Sept. 24 as well as conference clashes with UCF, Navy, East Carolina and UConn.
Follow @USFFootball on Twitter for all the latest information concerning the USF Football program.
