Bell's #PlayFastScoreFaster Offense 'Ready to Go'
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, AUG. 28, 2019 – After learning in the spring, studying in the summer and fine-tuning things in fall camp, USF's offense is ready to roll in new coordinator
Kerwin Bell's #PlayFastScoreFaster system.
"I like just how comfortable we are with what we're doing, so I'm ready to go," said Bell, two days before the Bulls' battle with No. 19/17 Wisconsin in primetime at Raymond James Stadium. "it's going to be a big-time opponent, tough opponent for us the first game out, especially in a new system, but I think we'll handle it well."
USF's comfort also comes with confidence in an offense that returns nine starters, including its top rusher (
Jordan Cronkrite), top receiver (
Randall St. Felix), all-conference tight end (
Mitchell Wilcox), and a jelling first-team line –
William Atterbury (LT),
Demetris Harris (LG),
Brad Cecil (center),
Donovan Jennings (RG) and
Marcus Norman (RT).
Leading that talented group and more USF playmakers is an established starting quarterback in senior
Blake Barnett, who has impressed his new coordinator this fall.
"A lot is on his shoulders and I really like the progress he's made," Bell said.
Now, Barnett and the Bulls will look to produce right away against a Big Ten defense that's motivated to get back to an elite level like 2017 (262.1 yards allowed per game).
"They're going to make you earn it. As a first-year offense, you've got to now put together five, six, seven-play drives and that's going to be a big key for us – how disciplined (we are) within that system," Bell said. "Seeing things for the first time in a game situation, how are we going to react? How are we going to make sure we continue to keep positive plays, back-to-back-to-back, to be able to score?"
Answers to those questions have yet to be revealed, but Bell certainly has a lot of ways to keep drives going within his thick playbook that's catered to USF's speedy talent. Bull rushers and pass-catchers have constantly shared their excitement about the possibilities in Bell's system that helped 2018 national champion Valdosta State lead Division II in scoring offense (52.0 ppg).
"The pieces to the puzzle have really been put together," Barnett said. "Guys are understanding their roles. It's a very dynamic offense."
No matter how "big-time" the opponent is on Friday night, comfortable and confident USF is looking to rev up its engine on offense.
"I want them to be able to line up and go with great tempo," Bell said. "I think we've done that. We've had basically two weeks to prepare with our game plan. We started last week, repeated it this week and I think our guys are ready to go."
Improved Defense Will Be Put to the Test Right Away
Third-year USF coordinator
Brian Jean-Mary gave the Bulls a
promising progress report in fall camp, saying he's seen improvement in key areas like run-stopping, tackling and depth.
Three weeks after that assessment, Jean-Mary is pleased with the position the Bulls are in now.
"I feel like we've improved, not just the transfers and the freshmen that have come in. I think the players that are returning, they have a different level of focus compared to last year," he said. "I really do like where we're at defensively right now."
That's a very positive sign for a defense that's about to be put to the test against Wisconsin's big offensive line that blocks for a Heisman Trophy contender. 2018 Doak Walker Award winner Jonathan Taylor led the nation with 2,194 rushing yards last season and his 4,171 career yards are the most ever by an FBS player through his sophomore season.
"I know Jonathan Taylor is probably the best running back in the country," said Jean-Mary of the 5-foot-11, 219-pound tailback he also said fits the ideal design for the popular Madden videogame.
USF's defensive geared up for Friday's massive challenge by
gaining size and strength throughout the offseason. Since then, Jean-Mary said his Bulls are "more together as a unit," which is a huge plus.
"You have to have a unified front," Jean-Mary explained. "You have to have guys on the defensive line, linebackers, secondary that play as one and really trust each other as far as gap integrity and guys being in the right place. I feel like we're getting there."
Bulls Bits
SAILS ELIGIBLE!: Head coach Charlie Strong broke huge news on Wednesday after the NCAA declared cornerback KJ Sails (Tampa) eligible to play this season. The junior transfer from North Carolina shined throughout fall camp and definitely factors into USF's plans on defense. View the Week 1 depth chart HERE.- PACK THE HOUSE: All eyes will be on Friday night's nationally televised ESPN game that's expected to attract many more in person. USF is nearing a lower-bowl sellout (48,007) at Raymond James Stadium and students had claimed more than half of their ticket allotment (10,000) by Tuesday, the second day of classes. "The crowd is our extra player on the field, I feel like," said senior tight end Mitchell Wilcox (Tarpon Springs, Fla.). "I get a lot of energy and a lot of juice from that loud atmosphere." Purchase tickets while they last HERE or by calling 1-800-Go-Bulls.
MACON IN THE MIDDLE: With senior Nico Sawtelle (Jensen Beach, Fla.) unavailable for the opener, Jean-Mary will go with newcomer Patrick Macon (Memphis, Tenn.) as the Bulls' starting middle linebacker Friday night. The senior transfer from Oklahoma State is a physical force (6-3, 245) and his praise from the coaching staff during fall camp has continued. "He's done an excellent job, obviously coming from junior college and then playing at Oklahoma State," Jean-Mary said. "He's had opportunities to play against higher-level competition. This will be his first opportunity as a starter and we're excited to get him out there."- 150 YEARS OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL: College football is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2019 and Friday's season opener presents a stark contract between two of the 130 FBS football teams suiting up this season. Wisconsin began playing football in 1889 (20 years after the first game) and has had 10 more head coaches (33) than USF has had years of playing football (23). "It's a school with great tradition," senior quarterback Blake Barnett said. "… For us to be able to play them is a great opportunity for us and this program."
ABOUT USF FOOTBALL
Having completed just its 22nd season of football, and 19th 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 150th 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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– #GoBulls –
