USF Athletics

Bulls Preparing for 'Great Challenge' UCF Will Present in War on I-4 Home Game

November 25, 2020

GAME 9 MATCHUP: UCF (5-3, 4-3 in AAC) at USF (1-7, 0-6 in AAC)  
DAY & TIME: Friday, Nov. 27, 3:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
TV: ESPN
RADIO: Over the Air: 95.3/620 WDAE & Digital: Bulls Unlimited
SERIES: USF leads, 6-5
PURCHASE TICKETS: USFBullsTix.com, 1-800-Go-Bulls
 
 
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, NOV. 25, 2020 – Heading into their initial War on I-4 battle, the first-year USF football coordinators are going full speed ahead with their game plans for a formidable opponent like rival UCF.

On defense, Glenn Spencer's group has the task of trying to slow down the Knights' explosive offense that ranks first nationally in passing offense (377 ypg) and No. 2 in total offense (586 ypg). Individually, quarterback Dillon Gabriel leads the nation in passing yards (3,017) and total offense (394.1 ypc) and he's tied for second in the NCAA with 26 touchdown passes.

"There's a reason they lead the nation in so many categories. There's a reason they do what they do against anybody they play," Spencer said Wednesday. "They put up outrageous numbers, but what a great challenge to be able to compete against the best. As a competitor, that's what you want, so I'm really looking forward to it."

USF's defense is determined to keep the Knights from getting into their groove that helps them average 42.6 points per game. Takeaways would definitely help and USF heads into Friday's conference clash ranking 17th nationally with nine interceptions this year. The Bulls have picked off a pass in four straight games and recorded a pick-six in each of the past two outings.

"You just hope that you can break their rhythm someway, or somehow. The quarterback is so good and they run such good routes, you can't just sit back all day," Spencer explained. "He knows where the space is and he'll pick you apart. You gotta put a body on a body every now and then. You gotta mix it up."

Fortunately for USF, the program has had a little extra time to prepare for 12^th edition of the War on I-4 after last week's meeting with Navy was postponed. Despite all the buildup the War on I-4 brings, the Bulls must stay mentally locked into each play and not get caught up in the hoopla rivalry games often present.

"You love the emotion, you love the intensity, but you gotta keep it wired, you gotta keep it dialed into assignment and finish and effort," Spencer said.

Although depth on defense will probably still be an issue for the Bulls, Spencer expects his group to attack UCF with an all-out approach, even if players are on the field for more 100-plus reps in a bout he thinks could go "extra rounds."

"I know when we walk off that field, I've got a feeling I'll be proud of their effort," he added.

Offense Looks to Build on Momentum It Gained at Houston
USF's offense is looking to pick up where it left off about two weeks ago in Houston, where the Bulls moved the ball quite well after the break.

"I think you always want to get back on the field as soon as possible after a game like that. We're super excited to play UCF. They're a great opponent with a great history. I'm very excited, my first time in this rivalry," said offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.

"Our players have had a great mindset," he added. "It's really important to them to perform well against their rivals and they've shown it in practice this week."

Football wise well beyond his 27 years, Weis could probably draw up a wide variety of big plays for the Bulls to possibly fool the Knights' fast defense. But instead of flooding players' minds with several formations, keeping things simple might be the smartest move, much like it was later on in the Houston game that saw USF score 21 straight points.

"I think in the second half, we really had about four plays that we were running and we had 250 yards of offense and scoring points and all that. It's continuing to keep that trend going," Weis said. "I think the guys saw that. They saw how they just need execute in anything they do. We've been continuing to work on that."

Finding ways to keep the offensive momentum going – no matter how many different plays it takes – is essential in USF's pursuit of the program's 100^th home victory. In an effort to reach the milestone, the Bulls will be going up against UCF's defense that's giving up an average of 452 yards per game (99^th nationally).

"Offensively, we're just working on the things that we can control and putting our defense in good positions, trying to put points on the board to give us a good opportunity to go win the game," Weis said.

Bulls Bits

• GIVING THANKS: Charlie Weis Jr. certainly has a lot to be happy about this holiday season. "No. 1, I'm thankful for my family, especially for my wife," he said. "We're gonna have our first son coming up here soon. I'm very thankful for that, really excited." Weis also said he's very grateful for the family he's gained at USF, years after memorable Thanksgivings with his football guru father, Charlie Sr., a longtime college and veteran NFL offensive coordinator. Thoughts of his dad's years with the New England Patriots, who don't play on Thanksgiving often, brought a smile to Charlie Jr.'s face Wednesday. "Those times were great when we'd get to see him," said Weis, who remembers watching Cowboys and Lions games with his father. "He was working all these crazy hours up there in the league and it was good to see him and have some fun Thanksgivings with him."
• HARRIS BACK ON DEFENSE: USF's defense could be getting a big boost in the linebacker depth department this week with the return of Mac Harris. The versatile freshman from The Villages, Fla., was unavailable the past two games. "He finally got back this past week from having to sit out," defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer said. "… He's had a couple nice practices." Harris also has had some pretty promising production this season with 23 total tackles and an interception in six games (two starts) at a new position for him.

 
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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