USF FOOTBALL GAME NOTES at SMU
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, NOV. 16, 2016 – USF's touchdown-happy Gulf Coast Offense has been showing the improvisational flair to reach “street baller” status.
The Bulls' up-tempo attack is scoring on defenses at a rate of 44 points per game, good for 10th nationally, heading into Saturday's showdown at SMU. USF also ranks sixth in the FBS in rushing offense (287.2 ypg) and seventh in total offense with 520.5 yards per outing.
“The big plays stand out, but the thing we're a little more pleased with is just the execution of the offense and the efficiency in our passing game,” co-offensive coordinator T.J. Weist. “Efficiency of all the guys running the offense, that's what makes the difference for us.”
Another game-changing element USF has incorporated in year two of the Gulf Coast Offense is the ability to improvise at will and to great affect. When quarterback Quinton Flowers scrambles around, receivers, backs and tight ends are adjusting to make a catch, or a crushing block downfield to spring someone free to the end zone.
Weist broke it down with a basketball analogy after practice Wednesday. Some players excel in an organized team system, but can't create plays of their own in a pick-up game.
These Bulls can do both, and do it very well.
“These guys are street ballers, they just go out there and make plays,” Weist said. “When things happen, that's when they turn it on.”
Flowers looked like a point guard distributing the ball all over the field against Memphis. The junior from Miami broke USF's single-game completion percentage record, connecting on 24 of 29 passes (82.8 percent).
Flowers' biggest throw of the night came late in the fourth quarter on third-and-8 at the Memphis 41. With the score tied at 42-42, the dangerous dual-threat QB bought some time with his legs and dished the ball out at the last second to Rodney Adams for a 13-yard gain.
First down, Bulls, and two plays later a game-winning touchdown to cap off a 679-yard statement.
“Good playmakers actually create plays,” Weist said. “Plays that aren't there, that you don't think are there, all the sudden they make a play and they create a play. That's what I think these guys have got a great feel for.”
SMU's Defense Can Create Plays of Its Own
If Saturday night takes on a free-wheeling style like at Memphis, SMU's defense has the ability to make plays of its own.
SMU is tied for second nationally with 17 interceptions this season. Senior defensive back Horace Richardson (No. 9) is tied for second in the FBS with six interceptions. Senior defensive back Darrion Millines (No. 29) also ranks in the top 10 with five picks, while sophomore DB Jordan Wyatt has four.
“These guys are aggressive,” Weist said. “The corners take chances, the safeties take chances, but they're smart about it.”
Especially last week.
Richardson took two picks to the house and Millines also had an interception in SMU's 55-31 road win at East Carolina.
Nichols Rises to the Occasion
Cornerback Deatrick Nichols is now tied for the team lead with two interceptions after getting a pick at Memphis, which was the first part of his huge performance on national TV.
The junior from Miami saved his best plays for last, when he defended the final three passes of the game with Memphis knocking on the door, inside the USF 10.
“We expect that coming from an all-conference guy,” defensive coordinator Raymond Woodie said. “I told him, 'Every time you get in those type of opportunities, we expect for you to finish. He's one of our leaders, he's a good football player and that was big-time.”
With USF and Memphis combining for 91 points and 1,287 yards, one defense had to step up and Nichols was all about the opportunity.
“A guy like Deatrick, he's like, 'Hey, coach, I want the best receiver. Put me in a position to play cover zero (no help),'” Woodie said. “We did and he responded.”
Bulls Bits
- USF has a 2-1 lead in its all-time series with SMU after last season's 38-14 win in Tampa. With Marlon Mack out, Quinton Flowers rushed for his previous career high of 201 rushing yards with three TD runs.
- With five touchdown runs last week, USF jumped into the national lead with 37 total scores on the ground this season. This year's Bulls also own the school record with 60 total touchdowns.
- Senior receiver Rodney Adams set a new career high with 270 all-purpose yards last week. His 92-yard score on a jet sweep marked USF's longest run in program history. “Sometimes you have to take what the defense gives you,” Weist said. “We saw some looks that we thought could get us good jet sweeps. It's good to get Rodney back in the mix, scoring touchdowns like that.”
The USF Football program is in its 20th season overall and 17th at the FBS level. The Bulls have made seven bowl appearances, including every season between 2005-10, and have four bowl game victories. USF has produced 14 All-America selections, 25 NFL Draft picks and reached the No. 2 ranking in the Associated Press Poll in 2007.
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