USF Athletics

USF's Offense Puts on a Show in Scrimmage in Clearwater

April 06, 2019

By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

CLEARWATER, Fla., APRIL 6, 2019 – USF's offense used the second scrimmage of the spring to show just how explosive it can be in new coordinator Kerwin Bell's system.

All three quarterbacks took turns throwing touchdown passes on a sunny Saturday that saw the Bulls produce eight total scores, much to the enjoyment of a solid crowd of supporters at Clearwater Central Catholic High School.

"What Kerwin has tried to do is just implement something each and every day," head coach Charlie Strong said. "Now, he's beginning to put it all together."

Three weeks into spring ball, the Bulls proved they're making notable progress picking up Bell's system that helped national champion Valdosta State lead NCAA Division II in scoring offense with 52.0 points per game last season. For starters, Blake Barnett (Corona, Calif.) produced the first fireworks Saturday with a 22-yard touchdown pass to slot receiver/running back Johnny Ford (Miami).

Barnett found Ford again on an 18-yard touchdown connection during USF's four-score showing in red zone work at the end of the open practice for fans.

"Running this offense, I feel like it's really dynamic for us. It gives us a chance to get our playmakers the ball and keep the defense on their toes," said starting quarterback Blake Barnett. "There's unlimited options with it, but with that there's a lot of information. That's why we're out here right now – to master it and get it all down."

Redshirt freshman Jordan McCloud sported a big smile at the end Saturday's practice after throwing four touchdown passes and running for another score. The Tampa native first hit junior receiver Eddie McDoom (Winter Garden, Fla.) in stride on a 21-yard scoring play. Later on, McCloud dropped a deep dime on McDoom during an 86-yard trip to the end zone.

McCloud also threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to junior DeVontres Dukes (Tampa) and a 14-yard scoring toss to senior Stanley Clerveaux (North Miami) before cruising up the middle of the field on a 12-yard TD run.

"Jordan is a great kid, great quarterback," Barnett said. "… He's studying the playbook and he's coming out on the field and he's applying it really well."

Redshirt freshman Octavious Battle (Atlanta) got into the scoring act by throwing a 21-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Bryce Miller (St. Petersburg, Fla.). 

"A lot of progress is being made," Barnett said. "We've just got to keep getting better, keep learning this new offense and get ready for next week's spring game."

Slot Receiver Looking Like a Strength for Bulls
Sophomore Johnny Ford (Miami) continued to be a popular target in the passing game with two touchdown grabs Saturday.

Adding to USF's strength at slot receiver is junior Eddie McDoom (Winter Garden, Fla.), who covered 107 yards on his two scores Saturday. The speedy Michigan transfer also showed his toughness by picking up a first down in traffic and getting out of bounds when the Bulls worked on late-game situations.

"Eddie is a really explosive player. Out in the slot, he gets a chance to get lot of mismatches on him," quarterback Blake Barnett said. "A guy with good speed and agility and good hands, it works well."

Bryce Miller has been a trusty option in the slot as well. The sophomore from St. Petersburg, Fla., added to 21-yard touchdown catch to his spring highlight reel that's growing with each practice.

"You've got guys with speed, guys that can get open and can beat the one-on-ones," head coach Charlie Strong said. "You look at today what those slot receivers did today, they did a lot."

Bulls Enjoy a Trip to Clearwater
Strong gave the Bulls a chance to show what they can do off campus in their 11^th practice of the spring Saturday at Clearwater Central Catholic High School.

"We always talk about Tampa, Clearwater, St. Pete. Now we get a chance to come over here." Strong said. "Not only this high school, there are a lot of high schools that do an outstanding job."

Probably the biggest fan of Saturday's practice location was Clearwater Central Catholic alum William Atterbury. The senior offensive lineman earned all-state honors twice and made playoff appearances on the regular with the Marauders.

"It felt great. Every kid when they leave for college and they have that last game on their high school field, it's a little bittersweet," Atterbury said. "… Getting to come back here and play that one extra time, it was a pretty cool feeling."

Defense Also Makes Plays in Scrimmage
The USF offense might have won scrimmage battle No. 2 Saturday, but the defense did its fair share of playmaking on the steamy turf at James Brian Thomas Stadium.

All-conference corner Mike Hampton (Tampa) hauled in the first interception of the day on a deep pass before redshirt freshman DB Keyon Helton (Pensacola, Fla.) and senior linebacker Trent Shaw (Lutz, Fla.) joined the pick party.

"I tell them this all the time, "Just get the interceptions that you should get and you're going to get a lot of them,'" Strong said.

Coordinator Brian Jean-Mary's defense wasn't afraid to get physical, especially the Bulls' secondary players. Vincent Davis (Jacksonville, Fla.) forced a fumble that looked like it was shot out of a canon. Fellow sophomore DB Bentlee Sanders (Tampa) delivered the boom on a pass play near the line of scrimmage.

"You've got guys that have played a lot, so they understand what we're trying to get done," Strong said. "Coach (Steve) Ellis is doing a good job with it."
 
Bulls Bits

• BULLS GOING FAST IN SCRIMMAGES: USF's offense has motored through at least 100 plays in each of the Bulls' two scrimmages this spring. "Guys are really starting to get it now," said quarterback Blake Barnett of the new offense. "Things are clicking. The receivers are getting it. Us quarterbacks, the linemen, everyone is starting to fill their role."
• VAUGHN HELPS LEAD SACK ATTACK: Freshman defensive end Jason Vaughn (Auburndale, Fla.) matched his first scrimmage sack total with two more trips to the quarterback Saturday. Converted defensive end Chris Carter (Homestead, Fla.) posted a sack in back-to-back scrimmages while senior end Greg Reaves (Bradenton, Fla.), sophomore safety Mekhi LaPointe (Seffner, Fla.) and sophomore linebacker A.J. Franco (Sarasota, Fla.) also got to QBs wearing non-contact jerseys.
• WEISS SHOWS OFF HIS LEG: Junior kicker Coby Weiss (Gainesville, Fla.) grabbed his teammates' attention by splitting the uprights on his first two field goal attempts Saturday from 46 and 47 yards out. The junior also made a 39-yarder after going 15-for-18 on field goal attempts in 2018.

 
Up Next
The Bulls will wrap up spring ball next week with practices Tuesday, Thursday and Friday leading up to the USF Spring Game on Saturday, April 13 at Corbett Stadium. Get more info on the day that will be packed with fun events for fans leading up to the 1 p.m. kickoff HERE.

"We'd love for the fans to come out and support this group," head coach Charlie Strong said. "I just love the overall attitude and where we're going right now and how they continue to build."
 
ABOUT USF FOOTBALL
In 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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