USF Athletics

USF Offense Looks to Deliver Through Air, On Ground at Temple

October 15, 2020

GAME 5 MATCHUP: USF (1-3, 0-2 in AAC) at Temple (0-1, 0-1 in AAC)
DAY & TIME: Saturday, noon
LOCATION: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
TV: ESPN+
RADIO: Over the Air: 95.3 FM/ WDAE 620 AM & Digital: Bulls Unlimited
SERIES: Temple leads, 4-2
GAME NOTES: USF | Temple
 

By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, OCT. 15, 2020 – USF finally got a glimpse of what it had been searching for last week as confident quarterback Jordan McCloud ignited the passing attack by frequently finding "electric" receivers who made big gains downfield.

Now, coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. wants the Bulls to add more important ingredients to the winning formula this Saturday at tough Temple.

"If we can keep that (passing game) going and get our run game back up to par of what we expect it to be, I feel like we can be a really good offense," Weis said Wednesday. "... We've got pieces here or there, but we've got to put it all together."

Preparing for a balanced approach has been much easier for Weis in practices this week, now that he knows who the Bulls' QB1 is.

After three games of giving multiple Bulls a chance to show their ability to lead the offense, McCloud staked his claim on the starting job moving forward by displaying accuracy and connecting on several big plays against ECU. The sophomore from Tampa completed 26 of 35 passes (74 percent) for a career-high 298 yards last Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium.

"We wanted somebody to go out and have a performance like Jordan had," Weis said. "Obviously, it wasn't perfect. There's still a long way to go and we're gonna get better, but it definitely was good to see somebody go out there and have a strong performance, play tough football."

Instead of having to diversify the game plan for numerous Bulls, Weis gets to solely focus on McCloud's strengths and give him more practice reps to continue developing chemistry with receivers.

Last Saturday showed that McCloud already has a strong connection with junior Latrell Williams, who set career highs with eight catches for 93 yards. The speedy Williams (Lake City, Fla.) hauled in one of McCloud's three 30-plus yard passes, while freshman Omarion Dollison (Columbia, S.C.) was on the receiving end of the longest strike, a 52-yard gain.

"Those are two guys that we definitely gotta get the ball to a good bit. They're very electric with the ball in their hands, as you can see," Weis said. "They make plays down the field that are explosive. You can throw them a hitch; they can make somebody miss and make something happen. Having guys like that is invaluable."

Being able to combine that big-play ability through the air with an effective running game would be very useful in USF's attempt to produce the program's first-ever win at Temple in four trips to Philadelphia.

Much like the City of Brotherly Love's beloved Rocky Balboa movie character, USF's offensive line and blockers will need the "Eye of the Tiger" to triumph over Temple's stout D-linemen.

"They're tough. They're gonna say, 'We're tougher than you,' and they're gonna challenge you blocking across positions," Weis said.

Not Much Temple Tape, but More Depth for USF Defense
Game planning based off 2020 opponent game film is kind of difficult for USF this week, considering Temple opened its season just last Saturday with a 31-29 loss at Navy.

With the Midshipmen eating clock with the triple option, there wasn't an abundance of opportunities for Temple's offense to operate. Still, Glenn Spencer was impressed with what he saw in the 407-yard effort from the Owls.

"You only have one game to work off this year with them, but they were pretty effective going up and down the field," USF's defensive coordinator said.

In the team's third AAC outing, USF will be trying to slow down another seasoned quarterback in Anthony Russo, who has faced the Bulls twice before. The redshirt senior ranks in the top four of every major passing category in Temple history, including touchdown passes (36, fourth).

Combine Russo's experience and passing ability with physical receivers and a productive rushing attack and you have an offense plenty capable of doing damage.

"They pose a lot of problems, so it's a great challenge," Spencer said. "But I've got no doubt our guys are feeling good as far as going up and getting another opportunity to play."

It's safe to say USF's defense is feeling a bit better than last week, now that the Bulls have "a couple guys back," according to Spencer.

The savvy coordinator wouldn't name names, but the depleted Bulls definitely missed highly rated safety Mekhi LaPointe (Seffner, Fla.) for the second straight game while starting linebacker Dwayne Boyles Jr. (Miami) was unavailable for the third consecutive outing.

Earlier this week, head coach Jeff Scott said he's hopeful to have both impact players back soon.

"It's kind of the chemistry, just a mood, a feeling, a heartbeat, whatever," Spencer said. "You get a couple key pieces in or out, that makes a difference."

Bulls Bits

• TIGHT ENDS GETTING MORE INVOLVED: USF's ability to open up the passing game last Saturday gave tight ends more of an opportunity to contribute. Grad transfer Mitchell Brinkman (Council Bluffs, Iowa) caught two passes for a season-high 47 yards after rumbling into the red zone on a 37-yard reception in the first quarter. Senior Jacob Mathis (Tampa) snagged his first pass since the season opener and fellow tight end Chris Carter (Homestead, Fla.) also was targeted. "Those guys are really good blockers and receivers. They're the perfect kind of tight end that you look for in this system," offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. said. "I'm really happy and pleased with how they've been and they're continuing to get better."
• THE LATEST ON LEO: Two games ago, redshirt freshman Leonard Parker jumped on the running back scene with seven carries for a team-high 51 yards in the fourth quarter at newly ranked No. 8/10 Cincinnati. The Tampa native played defensive back before a position switch heading into fall camp, where he missed practice time. Parker is the kind of big back (205 pounds) who could be very valuable blocker, rusher moving forward… when he's ready. "We're definitely pushing for Leo to get to that position. He's still new to the position, so it's still learning some things and trying to figure that out," Weis said. "He's a big-bodied kid. He's very physical running the football. We're hoping that he can get up to speed and figure it out and he can be able to be that bigger back for us."

 
About USF Football
The USF football program first took the field in 1997 and completed its 23^rd season (20^th at the FBS level) in 2019. The Bulls have posted 15 winning seasons, earned 14 All-America selections and 29 first-team all-conference selections and has seen 30 players selected in the NFL Draft. USF has made 10 bowl games appearances (going 6-4 in those games) and posted a program record six straight appearances from 2005-2010. The Bulls most recently made four straight bowl appearances from 2015-18 and posted back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2016 and 2017, logging a program-record 11-2 mark in 2016 while finishing both seasons ranked in the Top 25. USF spent a program record 20 straight weeks ranked in the Top 25 during the 2016 and 2017 seasons and reached as high as No. 2 in the national rankings during the 2007 season.
                                                                                
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