USF Athletics

Bulls Getting Ready for War on I-4 In Orlando

November 25, 2019

NEXT GAME: USF (4-7, 2-5) at UCF (8-3, 5-2)
DAY/TIME: Friday/8 p.m.
LOCATION: Spectrum Stadium, Orlando
TV/RADIO: ESPN/USF Radio Network: Over the Air: WDAE 95.3 FM/620 AM & Digital: Bulls Unlimited
SERIES: USF leads, 6-4. Bulls are 3-2 in Orlando.
PURCHASE TICKETS: USFBullsTix.com
GAME NOTES: USF   UCF 

 
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, NOV. 25, 2019 – School pride and a large trophy will be on the line when USF travels to Orlando for this year's War on I-4 clash with UCF that's been set for prime time.

ESPN will broadcast the 11^th installment of the rivalry game at 8 p.m. Friday from Spectrum Stadium. The Bulls have a 6-4 lead in the exciting series that dates to 2005, a year USF posted a 34-14 victory in Tampa and began a string of four straight victories over the Knights.

"It's gonna be a great environment. It's gonna be a hostile environment, definitely something these younger guys haven't been used to quite yet," said senior tight end Mitchell Wilcox. "I think it also will increase our level of play. I think that atmosphere, the energy from both sides, it's gonna uplift everyone. We gotta come with our A game. We gotta come ready to play and compete, and that's what we're gonna do."

USF is out of the postseason picture for the first time in five seasons, but the program knows it still has a lot to play for in the 2019 finale. Offseason momentum can be gained by beating the Knights for the first time since 2016 and returning to Tampa with the d160-pound trophy topped by a detachable, pewter replica of the iconic I-4 road sign.

Success at Spectrum Stadium also would a nice sendoff for a senior class that's been a part of the winningest four-year stretch in school history (36-15 from 2015-18).

"We expect to get to a bowl game each and every year. It didn't happen this season, but the seniors have done a great job," head coach Charlie Strong said. "The one thing they've done, with their leadership ability, they've been able to just lead guys and play very well for us."

'Thankful' Wilcox Reflects on USF Career
Senior Mitchell Wilcox has contributed quite a bit in his USF career.

Just the 14^th 1,000-yard receiver in school history, the Tarpon Springs, Fla., native is the most accomplished tight end in school history. Wilcox is the top Bull at the position when it comes to career stat categories like receiving yards (1,310, 10^th all-time among all positions), receptions (98) and touchdowns (11).

"I've definitely been thankful for the opportunities," he said. "I wouldn't be anywhere I am today without the key roles of my teammates, helping me and supporting me throughout this entire journey as a young guy coming in, eager to contribute, to now, the senior, veteran tight end. A lot of personal growth, but I've had so much help and so much guidance from key role players - Quinton Flowers, all those guys."

Wilcox's career really took off last year, when he set USF tight end season records for receptions (43) and receiving yards (540) after reaching the Bulls' top TE single-game milestone with eight catches for a personal-best 109 yards against Illinois.

The three-time Mackey Award candidate headed into 2019 ranked fourth among senior tight end prospects for the 2020 NFL Draft by NFL.com Senior Analyst Gil Brandt. On top of showcasing his run-blocking ability, Wilcox has been USF's top receiver this year with 26 catches for 334 yards and five touchdowns, three more than his previous season high for TD grabs.

"I used this year for a lot of personal growth, as far as coverage recognition, learning this offense, learning this great pro-style offense, and a number of other many things," he said.

Before he prepares for East-West Shrine Bowl and the pros, Wilcox has one more order of Bulls business to take care of. Another win over UCF would certainly be sweet and he wants to keep producing in the series. Since 2016, a 48-31 USF win, Wilcox has made at least one catch in every War on I-4 game and had five last year.

Overall, the 2018 first team all-conference pick has totaled nine receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown against UCF heading into Friday's can't-miss matchup.

"We're gonna go out, compete and give it our all," he said.

Boyles Having a Breakout Season
Despite losing 17 seniors next season, USF still has talented, young Bulls equipped with valuable experience in a number of roles.

One position where the future looks bright is linebacker, where Dwayne Boyles has had a breakout sophomore season. The Miami native with a high motor leads the Bulls with 68 tackles and 12.5 tackles for loss this year after registering a career-best tying 10 stops and two TFLs against No. 18 Memphis.

"I'm so happy for the year that he's had because he is a guy that plays with a lot of energy," head coach Charlie Strong said. "Each and every week, he shows up to play."

Boyles has posted at least one tackle for loss in eight of the past 10 games and brings lots of versatility to USF's aggressive defense.

"He's a guy that we can play inside or outside," Strong said. "He's very athletic, can run and has speed. You can put him in man coverage, where he can cover up guys."

Bulls Bits

• DEFENSIVE RANKING UPDATE: After totaling two more takeaways against No. 18 Memphis, USF is tied for third nationally with 24 turnovers gained this season, three more than last year. The Bulls also are tied for third in tackles for loss per game (8.7) and their 12 fumble recoveries tie them for sixth in the FBS. USF currently leads The American in pass defense (178.8 ypg).
• JOINER NOW A GO-TO GUY: Head coach Charlie Strong said senior backs Jordan Cronkrite (Miami) and Trevon Sands (Miami) will again be out for Friday's game. That means there's another big opportunity for true freshman Kelley Joiner Jr. The Clermont, Fla., native rushed for a career-high 115 yards on 13 carries in his first-ever start against No. 18 Memphis. "He's come in and been a spark for us. He had a 100-yard game in his first start and that's awesome," senior tight end Mitchell Wilcox said. "He's got a great, long career ahead of him. He can run like the wind. Definitely with more growth and experience, he's gonna be a helluva player."
• USF FOOTBALL RADIO SHOW: Hear from seniors Mitchell Wilcox (TE), William Atterbury (RG) and Marcus Norman (RT) during the final USF Football Radio Show of the season that's set for Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. at World of Beer on East Fowler Ave (near the USF campus). Fans unable to attend the show can listen on the USF Radio Network (95.3/620-AM), or on the iHeartRadio Bulls Unlimited channel.

 
ABOUT USF FOOTBALL
Having completed just its 22^nd season of football, and 19^th at the FBS level, the USF football program has earned 10 bowl appearances, including a current run of four straight, and owns a record of 6-3 in bowl games. The Bulls have appeared in the national top 25 rankings in each of the past three seasons, including a program record run of 20 straight weeks in the top 25, and in 2018 reached the program's 150^th win faster than any FBS program in state of Florida history. USF has posted a pair of 10-plus win seasons in the last three years, including a program-record 11 wins (11-2) in 2016, and logged 15 winning seasons overall. Since first taking the field in 1997, the USF program has reached as high as No. 2 in the national rankings (2007), seen 30 players selected in the NFL Draft, 14 named All-American and 29 earn first-team all-conference selection.
 
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