United Bulls Getting Ready for Return to Ray Jay on Saturday
GAME 9 MATCHUP: Navy (3-4, 3-2 in AAC) at USF (1-7, 0-6 in AAC)
DAY & TIME: Saturday, 8 p.m.
LOCATION: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
TV: ESPNU
RADIO: Over the Air: 95.3/620 WDAE &
Digital: Bulls Unlimited
SERIES: Navy leads, 2-1
PURCHASE TICKETS: USFBullsTix.com, 1-800-Go-Bulls
GAME NOTES: Navy |
USF
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, NOV. 17, 2020 – No matter the obstacles, resilient USF football continues to push forward during a season like no other that's now reached the home stretch.
Head coach
Jeff Scott spent much of his press podium time Tuesday talking about how his banged-up Bulls are handling a less-than-ideal situation heading into the program's final two scheduled contests of the season, both at Raymond James.
With Saturday's Salute to Service game against Navy approaching, USF has had roughly 50 percent of its roster compared to a normal year available for on-field preparations at the Morsani Complex.
"It's been an interesting week," Scott said. "We had our second practice of the week today. (We) just kind of shortened it up a little bit because our numbers keep dwindling a little bit with these injuries."
Scott delivered the unfortunate news about starting senior cornerback/punt returner
KJ Sails (Tampa) being out for the remainder of the season due to an injury he suffered last week at Houston. Dating back to last season, Sails played in all of USF's previous 20 games, totaling three interceptions, 11 passes defended, two fumble recoveries and 64 tackles during the time span.
"He's a really good player, got a bright future," Scott said. "He's had a really good career in college and a good career here."
Sails, who
organized a unity walk in downtown Tampa this summer, is still expected to keep stepping up as an emotional leader, like he was before the injury.
"He's done a lot of good things and there's nothing more he wants to do than finish out at least two more games with his teammates. He was really disappointed when he got the news yesterday," Scott said. "But I told him, 'Hey, now you've gotta be on the sidelines and help encourage these other guys who are gonna go in there and play for you.' I know he'll do that."
Scott also told reporters senior defensive tackle
Kevin Kegler (Madison, Fla.) is out for the rest of the season with an injury and is set to have surgery Thursday. Injured first-team defensive tackle
Blake Green, a senior from Bradenton, Fla., won't play this week, while starter
Antonio Grier Jr. (Atlanta) and fellow linebacker
Demaurez Bellamy (DeLand, Fla.) are questionable for the Bulls' test against Navy.
"In a normal year, you don't have the opt-outs and you don't have Covid deal, so all you have is injuries," Scott said. "If we were just limited to that, we would be in good shape to continue practicing the way we want to practice and all that."
Instead, USF has a fraction of its usual roster practicing, which has resulted in kickers pulling double duty on the scout team this week along with two graduate assistants suiting up to help give the varsity squad looks they might see against the Midshipmen. Practices have still been intense, but they're shorter in length to keep everyone as fresh as possible. Some players are even showing toughness by pushing through ailments.
"We're definitely really thin and trying to keep everybody healthy enough, so that we can have a chance to play Saturday," Scott said. "That's really where we are here going into Navy."
Despite difficult circumstances, Scott said the team is continuing its "no excuses" approach and staying positive as it prepares for a fresh triple-option foe. Navy hasn't played since Oct. 31 after its past two games were canceled due to COVID-19 issues.
"Navy is a really good opponent. They've got a unique scheme. It's a disciplined scheme," Scott said. "Alignment, assignment - everybody has their own gaps. We're preparing, I know that. We're practicing and doing what we can do to prepare our guys for the game."
Players have been making Scott proud with their effort and attitude not only this week, but the entire unique season.
"Adversity introduces a man to himself," said starting center
Brad Cecil (Jacksonville, Fla.) "… The adversity this year has really helped transform me into a better player, a better leader and a better man. I think a lot of people can speak the same."
Versatile Townsel Stepping Up Right Away
An eye-catching total of 19 Bulls have made their first starts with the program during the 2020 season filled with injuries and unavailable lists nationwide.
One of them is true freshman
Christopher Townsel, who has played all three safety spots in seven games of action (four starts).
"The learning experience has been pretty good," the Deerfield Beach, Fla., native said. "When I'm at the STAR position, I'll know what the strong safety and the free safety has because I've played all three positions. It's benefiting me because now my coaches know that I can play all three positions."
Coaches also know the 6-feet-2, 185-pound youngster can produce as he continues to grow in the college game.
Townsel intercepted a pass in the end zone at Cincinnati (Oct. 3) and set a new career best the last time out with a team-high 11 tackles (10 solo) at Houston. Heading into Saturday's home game, Townsel has totaled 26 tackles (21 solo) with 2.0 tackles for loss and he's driven to do much more for the Bulls.
"It feels amazing going out there with my teammates. Them putting their trust in me, the coaches putting their trust in me, it just feels good," he said. "I'm getting comfortable with being around my teammates and playing my hardest throughout the game."
Bulls Bits
SALUTE TO SERVICE DETAILS: USF will attempt to post the 100th home victory in program history on a special Saturday night at Ray Jay. Serving as honorary captain for the Salute to Service game will be four-star General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., the Commander of United States Central Command based at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. McKenzie led the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit in deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq, and he oversaw the successful special forces raid in Syria that killed then-Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in October 2019.
BATTIE KEEPS PRODUCING: Increased playing time has allowed freshman back Brian Battie to reach new career-high totals in consecutive weeks. The Sarasota native impressed again last Saturday with 86 rushing yards (6.6 ypc) and 113 all-purpose yards at Houston. "He's done a great job," said starting center Brad Cecil (Jacksonville, Fla.). "He works his tail off in the weight room, in the classroom and on the football field. It's exciting to see him get an opportunity and make great use of that opportunity."
HOME, SWEET HOME: Saturday will mark USF's first home game since a nationally televised ESPN matchup against Tulsa on Friday, Oct. 23. Raymond James Stadium also will be the place to watch USF take on rival UCF in the 12th edition of the War on I-4 that's set for Friday, Nov. 27 at 3:30 p.m. (TV: ESPN). Reserve your seats for both home games at USFBullsTix.com or by calling 1-800-Go-Bulls.
About USF Football
The USF football program first took the field in 1997 and completed its 23rd season (20th 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.
Follow @USFFootball on Twitter for all the latest information concerning the USF Football program.
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