Bell's Offense Looking to Ignite in Week 2
NEXT GAME: USF (0-1) at Georgia Tech (0-1)
DAY/TIME: Saturday/2 p.m.
LOCATION: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta
TV/RADIO: ACC Network/1250 tAM, Bulls Unlimited
SERIES: USF leads, 1-0 (49-38 win in 2018)
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, SEPT. 4, 2019 – New USF coordinator
Kerwin Bell's #PlayFastScoreFaster system didn't get off to the start the Bulls wanted, but they know a spark can really ignite things on offense.
"We've gotta just try to find a way to open up the floodgates," Bell said Wednesday. "That's what we're telling our team. I think once we hit the end zone, then we'll gain some confidence and we'll get going."
USF's next opportunity to get things rolling is Saturday in Atlanta, where the Bulls will try to attack Georgia Tech's new defensive system (4-2-5). Last week, 28 different Yellow Jacket defenders were on the field for 10 or more plays while No. 1 Clemson's high-powered offense produced seven touchdowns and 632 total yards.
As coaches point out, Week 1 to 2 is when teams usually show lots of improvement and Bell knows what the Bulls need to accomplish.
"We didn't keep it balanced and that's on me," said Bell of the Wisconsin game. "We've gotta make sure that we do that and we run the football this Saturday. That's going to be a big key for us."
Jordan Cronkrite, a 1,000-yard rusher last season, has plenty of ability to help the Bulls get back on track. The senior from Miami carried the ball just six times against the No. 17/16 Badgers, who built a 28-0 halftime lead and continued to excel in man-to-man coverage, as Bell noted.
"They got the lead and then it got even tougher," Bell said.
Balance on offense also requires positive plays in the passing game, which were there for the taking early against Wisconsin. Starting quarterback
Blake Barnett (Corona, Calif.) put two potential chunk play throws on the money, but Bell said rhythm on offense was hampered by "big" drops.
"You're probably at midfield or beyond in the first two drives (if balls are caught)," Bell said. "Now, you gain momentum and that one explosive play on both of those would help you finish a drive and score some points."
USF receivers know they have to step up and a huge plus for the slot position will be elusive sophomore
Johnny Ford (Miami) stepping back in after missing the season opener.
"We had a lot of stuff on him to handle some of (Wisconsin's) man coverages. He's a great man-beater for us and him being out, it really put a lot of extra emphasis on other guys," Bell said. "He really, I think, frees up the team because he's got so much ability, running and catching the football."
Bell also said Mackey Award candidate
Mitchell Wilcox has to get "more targets" and reaffirmed his belief in USF's talent overall on offense. More importantly, Bell's players believe they can get the job done.
"I've heard them say it to me, 'Hey, we still know that this offense can still be dynamic," Bell said. "They understand that. They have confidence in that and that's good to see."
Bulls 'Bounced Back Pretty Well' on Defense
After reviewing the film, edge rusher
Greg Reaves (Bradenton, Fla.) said missed assignments hampered USF's defense against Wisconsin and coordinator
Brian Jean-Mary backed up the statement.
"They saw the mistakes they made and understood we did give them a lot of the opportunities they took advantage of. We've just got to get better," Jean-Mary said. "We have great senior leaders and veteran players. They bounced back pretty well this week. They've done a good job of getting focused back in on Georgia Tech."
Senior leadership is helping the
Bulls as a whole "stay the course" this week and Jean-Mary is even seeing new upperclassmen taking ownership. Senior transfers
Patrick Macon (LB),
Darius Slade (DE),
Devin Studstill (S) and junior newcomer
KJ Sails (CB) have shown maturity that could really help the defense move forward.
"Those four weren't 100 percent (performers) during the game, nobody on defense was, but they were able to bounce back and provide that veteran leadership that we probably didn't have last year," Jean-Mary said. "They've been a positive. Even in practice, they're starting to get a lot more vocal because they're comfortable with their teammates now."
Jean-Mary also has players like Reaves and fellow senior lineman
Kirk Livingstone (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) keeping the ship steered ahead to the next challenge that's intriguing. Unlike last year's triple-option system, Georgia Tech now features a spread, pro-style offense implemented by new head coach Geoff Collins and offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude, both formerly at Temple.
"We have some familiarity with them with the coordinator and the head coach, but they have different pieces. Some parts not as good and some parts better than what they had at Temple," Jean-Mary said. "You can tell from the first game versus Clemson, they've had to adapt to the personnel they have. They did a good job for the most part."
Sophomore quarterback Tobias Oliver and running back Jordan Mason combined for 128 rushing yards to help Georgia Tech post nearly 300 total yards against the top-ranked Tigers' stingy defense. Three different Georgia Tech quarterbacks went a combined 7-for-18 for 137 yards through the air with two interceptions and a touchdown.
"Obviously, you have a quarterback that's very, very talented running the ball, as we saw last year in Tobias Oliver (97 yards, three TDs vs. USF)," Jean-Mary said. "They've added a lot more quarterback runs. They like their receivers, but obviously it's going to be a different type of passing game because they're coming from an option background with the quarterbacks. It presents a different challenge."
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 –
