From the football team's historic comeback at Tulsa to the Learfield Cup standings, 2014-15 was a memorable season for USF Athletics. Before we turn the page to the exciting season ahead, let's take a look back at some of USF Athletics' top feats in a 10-installment summer series.
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, JUNE 30, 2015 – No matter the deficit, head coach Willie Taggart's Bulls are going to give it all they've got to change the game and a great example came last October.
Playing in its second road game of the 2014 season, USF headed to the locker room trailing, 27-7, at halftime against a Tulsa team that was clicking on all cylinders. But instead of stressing about the first two quarters, Taggart's rapidly maturing squad saw a huge opportunity ahead.
“Rather than when things get tough, asking, 'Why me? Ask the question, 'Why not me?'” Taggart said. “We talked about that at the half and we brought it up earlier in the week. When at times things get tough, you think about how you're going to get out of it. Our guys just kept a positive attitude all over.”
Shortly after play resumed, American Rookie of the Year Marlon Mack zoomed down the field on a 54-yard touchdown run to spark what would turn out to be a historic comeback victory for the program.
“It started with that first drive,” Taggart said. “We said we needed to get a good drive and we drove down there and came back with another one. Uncle Mo was on our side.”
Senior receiver and current Buffalo Bill Andre Davis continued to change USF's fortunes with a 15-yard touchdown catch that cut the deficit to 30-21 late in the third quarter. Davis, who finished with 154 receiving yards, continued his breakout performance with another 15-yard TD snag with a little more than 9 minutes remaining.
And while the USF defense played with renewed confidence, Davis gave the Bulls a lead they wouldn't give up the rest of the way. About 3 minutes after his second TD catch, the Tampa native looked like an unstoppable force during his go-ahead, 85-yard touchdown reception that put the Bulls ahead, 35-30.
“Whatever I have to do for my team to make a play, that's what I'm going to do,” said Davis, who finished his career with 13 USF receiving records.
Kicker Marvin Kloss put the exclamation mark on the comeback with a 28-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter and Taggart's Bulls left Oklahoma with a 38-30 victory that stunned the crowd at H.A. Chapman Stadium.
USF's turnaround at Tulsa marked the program's biggest comeback win to date and topped the Bulls' 17-point rally over No. 13/11 Kansas on Nov. 12, 2008.
“Those guys believed the entire game, even when we were down there was always talk about the miracle of believing,” Taggart said.
Jump On Board for the 2015 Season
Watch the Bulls chase greatness in 2015 by purchasing season tickets at USFBullsTix.com or by calling 1-800-GoBulls.
