USF Athletics

Bulls Eye 150th Program Win Saturday at Ray Jay

September 17, 2018

USF GAME NOTES
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By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, SEPT. 17, 2018 – In the midst of the most successful era in USF football, head coach Charlie Strong's Bulls have an opportunity to accomplish another fantastic feat Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium.

USF (3-0) will attempt to become the fastest Florida FBS program to reach 150 wins when the Bulls open conference play against East Carolina (1-1). In just its 22^nd season, USF eyes victory No. 150 in its 255^th game, which would be three games faster than the University of Florida's path to 150 wins.

After another thrilling comeback win against Illinois, Strong knows the Bulls must be ready for East Carolina's best shot Saturday in the 8 p.m. game televised on ESPNews. USF has the best conference record over the past three seasons in The American with a 19-5 record.

"This week is going to be very key for us. We're gonna have to have a great week of preparation," Strong said. "We're going to have to be focused. We're going to have to be locked in. But it's always about us, and who we are, and what we're going to have to get done to correct our mistakes."

USF seeks its second straight 4-0 start to the season (seventh in school history) after erasing a 12-point fourth quarter deficit against Illinois with 18 unanswered points last Saturday at Soldier Field in Chicago.

The Bulls scored 39 unanswered points in the fourth quarter of the past two comeback victories and improved to 31-6 in the past 37 outings. Only four teams in the nation (Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma, Ohio State) have more wins during the time span.

"I just like the resiliency of our players and how they continue to have that attitude of, 'We're not going to lose this game. We're going to find a way to go win the game,'" Strong said. "That's what we were able to do."

Extra Yard for Teachers Game
USF will be sporting special helmet decals Saturday night in support of Extra Yard for Teachers.

Extra Yard for Teachers is the College Football Playoff Foundation's primary platform. It elevates the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers through the implementation of programs in four focus areas: resources, recognition, recruitment and professional development.

Extra Yard for Teachers has already supported 152,000 teachers, reached 4.6 million students and benefited 20,500 schools.

"What a great week to recognize our teachers and the impact they've had on so many of our lives," Strong said. "They don't get the credit they really deserve with how they've impacted and touched so many lives. For some young people, the only way they can have the belief, trust and recognition they get is because of what so many teachers have done for them."

Look for more Extra Yard for Teachers initiatives by USF Athletics throughout the week and during Saturday's game at Raymond James Stadium.

Barnett Earns Top Conference Honors
Quarterback Blake Barnett was named one of the The American's offensive players of the week after throwing for 411 yards, the second-highest total in USF game history, and leading the comeback with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown tosses against Illinois.

Barnett has thrown seven touchdown passes to five different players in just three games as a Bull. The junior from Corona, Calif., currently ranks 14^th nationally in passing (307.7 ypg) and 11^th in points responsible (20.7 ppg). Learn more about Barnett's latest conference honor HERE.

Know the Foe
Strong started Monday's press conference addressing Hurricane Florence, which forced this week's opponent to relocate to Orlando last week in preparation for Saturday's game.

"You think about what has just happened in North Carolina. Our hearts and prayers go out to those families and also the lives of 17 people that have been lost," Strong said.

ECU (1-1) had to postpone its Sept. 15 game at No. 13/10 Virginia Tech and has been training in Orlando since it headed to the Sunshine State on Sept. 12.

Head coach Scottie Montgomery's Pirates seek their second straight win after toppling North Carolina, 41-19, on Sept. 8 in Greenville, N.C. ECU has won three straight games against the Tar Heels and seven of its past nine clashes with ACC opponents.

ECU currently ranks sixth in The American in total offense (446.0 ypg) and third in total defense (332.0 ypg). USF has a 7-1 lead in its all-time series with ECU and is 2-1 in games played in Tampa.

Bulls Bits

• BULLS WIN OFTEN AT RAY JAY: USF has won 18 of its past 21 home games with 15 victories coming by two touchdowns or more. The Bulls have won 10 of their last 11 AAC home games.
• SCORE, SCORE, SCORE: USF has scored at least 20 points in 33 consecutive games, which is the longest active streak in the nation. The last time the Bulls failed to score at least 20 points was Oct. 31, 2015 in a 29-17 loss at Navy.
• HAL FILLS IN WELL FOR HARRIS: Strong commended the effort of sophomore Hal Roberson (Sarasota), who made his first-career start at left guard against Illinois. Usual starter Demetris Harris (Jacksonville, Fla.) was out with an injury. "Hal played an unbelievable game," said Strong, who noted USF still was able to generate 626 yards on offense with the switch.
• MCGEE RACKING UP TACKLES: In his first season as a starting linebacker, Khalid McGee leads the Bulls with 34 total tackles. The senior from Miami also leads The American and ranks 13^th nationally with 11.3 tackles per game. McGee added 14 stops to his season total with a career day against Illinois at Soldier Field.

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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