PHOTO GALLERY
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
LAKELAND, MARCH 22, 2015 – The Bulls showed their appreciation to supporters in Polk County by bringing the entire football operation to Bryant Stadium for all to see Saturday afternoon.
USF's lone off-campus practice of the spring served as a great opportunity for Bulls to shine in the scrimmage and meet some of the fans that make the trip to Raymond James Stadium each weekend during the fall.
“We have a lot of alums here in Polk County,” head coach Willie Taggart said. “We want them to come to Tampa to watch us play, so it's only right that we come over and kind of share the wealth, allow them to see our football team and see how our guys are improving.”
Fans in the stands gave the Bulls extra motivation during the special spring session and USF pleased the crowd with plenty of big plays. The offense continued to make progress in the new up-tempo attack while the new 4-2-5 defense performed consistently like it has all spring.
“It's good for our players just to get out of their comfort zone and to go into another environment and see if we can execute on both sides of the ball,” Taggart said. “They're all competing for jobs and preparing us for the fall. I think our guys are excited about it.”
Among Bulls brimming with enthusiasm at Bryant Stadium were Lakeland natives Kennard Swanson and Alex Salvato.
Swanson, a redshirt sophomore fullback, earned all-state honors at Lake Gibson High School and stepped up once again last season with 234 all-purpose yards in 11 games (four starts).
“I haven't played here since probably 10th or 11th grade, it's been a while,” said Swanson of Bryant Stadium. “I planned on a lot of my people coming out to support. It feels good that everybody can come.”
Salvato is entering his second season as the Bulls' primary long snapper and the junior still remembers the highlight-reel play he made for Victory Christian Academy at Bryant Stadium about a year before he started attending USF. The then-outside linebacker intercepted a screen pass and waltzed into the end zone for the game-winning score.
“I like being home in Lakeland and the atmosphere at the field,” Salvato said. “Our facilities at USF are great, but it's good to get out once in a while and experience something new.”
Joining Swanson and Salvato on the trip down memory lane was their very own head coach. With USF volunteer senior offensive consultant Joe Kinnan at the helm, Taggart helped Manatee High School capture a district title at Bryant Stadium during his junior season and he still remembers one of his big plays of the game yard-by-yard.
“I think Uncle Mo jumped on our side and never left,” said Taggart, who made good use of his dual-threat ability at quarterback right before halftime. “I think I was about 20 yards downfield and pitched the ball to our back, and he went in and scored. It really took a lot out of them.”
Quinton Flowers, Mike White and Steven Bench followed in Taggart's footsteps by making heads-up plays at quarterback during Saturday's scrimmage and Taggart has been pleased with the Bulls as a whole throughout the spring.
“I think our guys are understanding how to play the game and how to show respect to the game. Every time you line up on this football field you compete and you play at your best,” Taggart said. “Our guys are understanding that and we've been having outstanding practices this spring because of that. Guys are competing every day and we're getting better by competing. We're making a lot more plays on both sides of the ball because of that.”
Spring Game Approaching
USF's spring game returns to campus Saturday, March 28 at Corbett Stadium and the Bulls have started to assemble their rosters.
Flowers and defensive end Eric Lee were picked up during the free agency period by the White Team. Linebacker Auggie Sanchez and offensive lineman Jeremi Hall were the first two selections made by the Green Team leading up to a draft of the complete squads on Saturday afternoon.
“It was very interesting personally for me to see that and I'm really looking forward to the draft to see whom our coaches pick for their teams, it's going to be exciting,” Taggart said.
After the draft, the entire Bulls football squad and coaches attended the women's basketball team's NCAA first round victory over LSU in the Sun Dome.
The USF Football program completed its 18th season and 15th at the FBS level in 2014. 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.
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