Bulls Scrimmage For The Final Time Before The Spring Game
Gallery: (3-20-2021) Football Spring Practice Day 11
By Joey Johnston, Special to USF Athletics
One week before the annual spring game, USF football coach Jeff Scott witnessed the competitiveness he was seeking in Saturday's mini-scrimmage that punctuated the Bulls' 12th session of spring practice.
The offense had a long scoring drive.
The defense collected two fumble recoveries and four sacks.
Special teams featured a blocked punt scoop-and-score touchdown, along with a pair of 46-yard field goals.
Nine plays of repeated goal-line situations were basically a push between the offense and defense.
"I wanted to see us compete and that's what happened," Scott said. "There are going to be mistakes. But football games are long games. You've got to have the right mindset. What's the most important play? It's the next play because that's the only one you can control. I have seen enough in spring to give me optimism that we are moving forward. The spring game is where we're going to see who can take what we've done in practice and move it to the game field in the big stadium with people in the stands.''
Saturday's highlights:
Offense
The Cade Fortin-led first-team offense opened the scrimmage with a 14-play, 70-yard drive, culminated by a 12-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Xavier Weaver in the end zone's left corner. After two Fortin incompletions, the offense was faced with third-and-10, but the defense was called for offsides. Fortin then found Weaver for a 6-yard completion on third-and-5 and the drive was ignited. It featured a pair of move-the-chains completions to freshman receiver Omarion Dollison and an 11-yard run from sophomore Kelley Joiner Jr.
Later, junior running back Darrian Felix burst through the line and galloped for a 50-yard score, thanks to excellent clear-out blocks from junior offensive tackle Donovan Jennings and junior guard Demetris Harris on the left side. Felix later scored twice more during a nine-play goal-line sequence, while sophomore quarterback Jarren Williams twice cashed in with short runs. On the only pass of the goal-line sequence, Williams hit freshman tight end Holden Willis for a 1-yard score.
Williams appeared to have a 50-yard touchdown pass to freshman receiver Sean Atkins, but officials ruled that Williams had been touched down for a sack just before the pass was released.
Defense
Senior defensive back Brock Nichols and sophomore defensive back Christian Williams both recorded fumble recoveries. Sophomore safety Matthew Hill had a well-timed pass breakup when freshman quarterback Katravis Marsh appeared to find freshman receiver Sincere Brown open for a long gainer. Hill also had a nice interception prior to the scrimmage action during seven-on-seven competition.
Junior defensive back Vincent "Smoke'' Davis and junior linebacker Dwayne Boyles Jr., each had two tackles for a loss. On the goal-line sequence, stops were made by junior linebacker Andrew Mims, sophomore defensive end Jason Vaughn and freshman defensive back TJ Robinson.
Special Teams
Sophomore Spencer Shrader and junior Jared Sackett each connected on 46-yard field goals. Freshman Christian Helms crashed through to block a punt, then scooped it up and raced for a touchdown.
Scott said the Bulls will work in shells on Tuesday and shorts on Thursday to prepare for the spring game, which begins next Saturday at noon at Raymond James Stadium.
