Bulls' Defense Enters Saturday "Hungry"
By Joey Johnston
If you're looking for omens, USF's defense surrendered 666 yards in last Saturday's 42-20 defeat against the Florida Gators.
But for USF's defense, here's the only number that matters — 0-2. That's the Bulls' record heading into Saturday night's game against the Florida A&M Rattlers (1-1) at Raymond James Stadium.
"I don't feel like we're disappointed, I feel like we're hungry,'' Bulls defensive lineman Rashawn Yates said. "We want to win — desperately. Everybody wants to win and keep moving. We're tired of losing.''
That echoes the sentiment of USF defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer.
"We need some success and we need for it to show on the scoreboard,'' Spencer said. "At the end of the day, it's all about that. We've got to find a way to win a game — period. That's the goal, to be 1-0 — period. We've corrected the mistakes and now we need the results.''
Even with the grim numbers, there were positives to build on against the formidable Gators. In the fourth quarter, USF mounted a goal-line stand and turned back UF on a fourth-and-1 from the Bulls' 1-yard line. Jayden Curry broke up an end-zone pass. Demaurez Bellamy dragged down UF's Malik Davis short of the goal line. On fourth down, Daquan Evans broke up an end-zone pass thrown by Emory Jones.
On USF's first play from the 1-yard line following the stand, Bulls' quarterback Timmy McClain found Xavier Weaver on a 44-yard bomb, lifting USF out of field-position danger.
"It was one of the few bright spots we had,'' Spencer said. "We had the right mindset there. What I liked most about it was we were in the moment. It wasn't what we did in the first half. It was all about that one play.
"As a coach, you build off that. Whether you've done great or done bad in the game, it's always about the next play. That's the mindset you've always got to have. So, it was nice to see us have success there.''
The Bulls also got second-half interceptions and nice returns by Mekhi LaPointe and Brock Nichols, setting up USF's offense in prime position.
Giving up 42 points and 666 yards is not what USF wants, but Spencer said the idea is to keep learning and keep improving, particularly when the competition levels off and the Bulls aren't facing highly touted Power 5 conference teams each week.
There's a constant need for better tackling and making the one-on-one plays so a missed play "doesn't result in a 70 or 80-yard touchdown.''
There's also an early season battle against adversity. USF's secondary is riddled with injuries with four key performers sidelined for this week and beyond. That includes two of USF's fastest players — safety Will Jones II, a transfer from Kansas State, and cornerback Christian Williams, a transfer from Miami, both had outstanding fall camps. Jones suffered a torn ACL in the final practice before leaving for the opener at NC State.
"It was a gut punch,'' Spencer said. "Ten minutes left in the practice. It was a non-contact drill and he came down wrong on it.
"When you're coaching, you have to flip the switch. Next man up. You hate to see a kid walk around on crutches. You talk to them numerous times and encourage them. But you still have to get ready. What's the other option? At the end of the day, it's the South Florida Bull defense — period. Nobody is going to care (about injuries). You have to make it work.''
The injuries also mean opportunities for other players.
"You always preach for kids to get ready and stay ready and now that's very real,'' Spencer said. "They have to help us win now, not Week 10. You never know how guys will react in a game-type situation. Mentally, I think they're ready.
"It has hit home in my room. It has been a wake-up call. We've got some guys down who would be on the field a lot for us. We have to keep moving forward. And that's what we're going to do.''
