USF Athletics

Strong's Bulls Produce on Both Sides in First Scrimmage of Fall

August 12, 2018

By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, AUG. 11, 2018 – From Jordan Cronkrite's electric touchdown run early in the action to two late picks by the defense, Bulls made plays on both sides of the ball in USF's first scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday night.

Following USF Fan Fest inside the Yuengling Center, head coach Charlie Strong's Bulls zoomed through rapid-fire plays in the evening at the Morsani Complex due to storms pushing back the planned morning scrimmage. Expect the intensity level to pick up even more with the Sept. 1 season opener at Raymond James Stadium getting closer and closer.

"We have a long ways to go, a lot of room for improvement and we're going to have to get better," Strong said. "Three weeks from today, we're playing."

Offensive Highlights

• CRONK GOES THE DISTANCE, BELL SCORES LATE: Competing in a loaded backfield, junior Jordan Cronkrite (Miami) made his push for first-team reps by outracing defenders on a 66-yard touchdown sprint to the end zone on the third drive of the scrimmage. Redshirt freshman Duran Bell Jr. (Tampa) added to his solid fall camp with a 3-yard touchdown run near the end of the scrimmage.
• TIGHT ENDS PRODUCE: Three tight ends found the end zone, starting with a 29-yard touchdown catch by redshirt freshman Frederick Lloyd Jr. (Tifton, Ga.) on a pass from Brett Kean (Lakewood, Ohio) on the fourth drive. Mackey Award candidate Mitchell Wilcox (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) caught a 3-yard touchdown on a quick throw from Blake Barnett (Corona, Calif.). Ole Miss transfer Jacob Mathis (Tampa) recorded the final score of the night on a 5-yard TD pass from freshman Octavious Battle (Atlanta, Ga.).
• RECEIVERS CONTRIBUTE: Senior Ryeshene Bronson (Fort Myers, Fla.) was a popular target, hauling in four tough catches and showing his season-ending shoulder injury from last fall is an issue of the past. Junior Darnell Salomon (Miami) sparked the second TD drive of the night with a 25-yard catch on a pass from Kean.

Defensive Highlights

• MONSTER NIGHT FOR BLACK: Senior Josh Black (Tampa) was a force at the hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker "Fox" spot with three sacks and another tackle for loss. "I feel very comfortable in this defense. It's similar to what I did in high school," Black said. "Plus, this is our second year in this defense. Last year was the learning curve. This year, I've got to show that I'm getting better at this defense."
• BOYLES STEPS UP: Freshman linebacker Dwayne Boyles Jr. (Miami) had a breakout night, taking a pick-6 to the end zone from 4 yards out before blocking a field goal attempt late in practice.
• SECONDARY MAKES PLAYS IN RED ZONE: During red zone situations, senior cornerback Mazzi Wilkins (Tampa) made the most acrobatic play of the night by jumping a route in leaping fashion near the sideline and somehow getting a foot in for an interception. One drive later, redshirt freshman safety Bentlee Sanders (Tampa) added to his impressive camp with his third interception of the fall. "I just love how he comes out here each and every day, he goes to work," said Strong of Sanders. "He's been fun to watch."

 
Special Teams Highlight

• VIVONETTO'S LEG: Senior Jake Vivonetto (Naples, Fla.) put his best foot forward in the battle for USF's kicking job by booming a 45-yard field goal through the uprights. Vivonetto also was all good from 37 yards out later in practice.

 
ABOUT USF FOOTBALL
USF posted its second straight 10-win season in 2017 (10-2) by winning its second straight Birmingham Bowl with a 38-34 victory over Texas Tech. USF is one of just 15 teams nationally to win 20-plus games in the last two seasons (21-4) and posted a program-record 20 straight weeks ranked in the top 25, reaching as high as No. 13 in Week 8 of the 2017 season. The Bulls have won five of their last six bowl appearances and made nine (6-3) total bowl appearances in 21 seasons, including a current run of three straight bowls. USF won a program-record 11 games in 2016 (11-2) and has posted 14 winning seasons. The USF program, which first took the field in 1997, reached No. 2 in the rankings in 2007 and has seen 30 players selected in the NFL Draft, 14 named All-American and had 28 first-team all-conference selections.
 
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