Bulls Enter Conference Play Having Gained Confidence From Rugged Non-Conference Slate
By Joey Johnston
The USF Bulls (1-3), coming off a spirited performance at nationally ranked BYU, will face another mighty challenge on Saturday afternoon (ESPNU, 4 p.m.) when they begin the American Athletic Conference slate in Dallas against the unbeaten SMU Mustangs (4-0).
Watching from USF's Provo, Utah hotel prior to facing BYU, Scott joked that he had seen enough after some real-time viewing of SMU's 42-34 victory over TCU in the annual Iron Skillet Rivalry game last Saturday. "I had to switch the channel and watch something else,'' Scott said.
SMU again showed that it's a formidable program. Quarterback Tanner Mordecai threw four touchdown passes, giving him an FBS-leading 20 through four games. Running back Ulysses Bentley ran for 153 yards on 20 carries and is now averaging 7.6 yards per carry.
Challenges? Formidable opponents? USF's mantra: Bring them on.
There are 130 FBS programs. USF is the only one to face three teams currently ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 — No. 10 Florida, No 13 BYU and No. 23 NC State (which just beat Clemson, the perennial ACC powerhouse and College Football Playoff participant).
Those games were all defeats. But a strong-finishing performance at BYU — the Cougars held on for a 35-27 win after USF scored touchdowns on all three of its second-half possessions — the Bulls are approaching AAC play with newfound confidence.
"If we can do this against the best competition in the country, what can we do in our conference?'' Bulls senior guard Demetris Harris said. "I'm not knocking our conference, but we have played good teams. You show me another team that has played a schedule with three top 25-ranked teams, two of the games on the road.
"I'm so proud of the guys and how we responded. It's not the results we want, but we can see it. It's like the light at the end of the tunnel. It's getting closer. It's exciting to see the progress. Once that rock breaks, it's going to break big.''
Scott said he's not into moral victories.
"We're disappointed we didn't do enough to win the game,'' Scott said. "Ultimately, when you play teams that talented (as BYU), you can't play just two quarters.''
But there's also perspective. The Bulls were down 21-0 in the first quarter and 28-6 at halftime at BYU's LaVell Edwards Stadium, which was buzzing all night and produced deafening, jet-engine-loud noise from its rabid fan base and energetic student section. The Bulls were unbothered.
After Arizona State recorded seven false-start penalties (four on one drive) the week before at BYU, USF had no pre-snap infractions. Zero. Scott described the atmosphere as "the most electric environment I've been in … and I've been in just about every ACC-SEC stadium … nowhere was louder than that place (BYU).''
General takeaways: The defense had too many breakdowns and bit too early on three big pass plays by BYU. The special teams remained stellar (with Darrien Grant blocking a field goal in the center of the line). The offense, led by true freshman quarterback Timmy McClain, was composed and very productive.
Overall?
"We are getting better,'' Scott said. "Through the first four games, the question you asked yourself is 'Are we getting better, staying the same, or getting worse?' I feel like we're getting better. Iron sharpens iron. We have been tested and we are improving.
"With adversity, either you come together or you divide. I haven't seen one ounce of this team quit. We've got to stay focused on inside out, focusing on improving ourselves.''
Following Saturday's game at SMU, the Bulls have a bye week, then two straight home games (Tulsa on Oct. 16 and Temple on Oct. 23). Scott said it's important for USF to get on a roll in AAC play.
"With where we are right now, we need to show improvement in our conference,'' Scott said. "It's like Bobby Bowden used to say, early on you lose big, then lose close, then win close, then win big. In the maturation of our program, when you get past the first two stages, every game is important for our guys.
"We know we're turning the page. It's a new season and here come the conference games. Our goal is to go 1-0 this week. Ultimately, one of our big goals is to win the conference. And one day we will. We've played a difficult gauntlet and our guys have not slowed down. In my experience, it's going to eventually break through. When it does, we're going to have a strong foundation.''
McClain's impressive performance
Scott didn't need to make a bold proclamation. McClain is obviously entrenched as the starting quarterback. The goal was to have an unquestioned starter when the AAC games began and McClain has shown he's up to the task.
"Everybody on the team knows it … so it's not like I had to congratulate Timmy,'' Scott said. "Now it doesn't mean he has a lifetime contract. But he has certainly shown some great signs in his first few games.''
Against BYU, McClain was 17 of 24 for 186 yards, while rushing for 55 yards. Running back Jaren Mangham also showed well, rushing for 86 yards and two touchdowns, giving him seven (fifth nationally) in his last three games.
"Timmy is special, man,'' Harris said. "He's going to take this program far, to places where it has never been. The moment is never too big for him. It's almost like he has been here before.''
There's plenty to like with McClain, including his running ability and composure. Scott was especially pleased with McClain's passing accuracy.
"Timmy didn't play a perfect game by any stretch,'' Scott said. "He threw some away and one was knocked away on a nice play by the defense. He really missed (only) two throws. When you look at the location of his (throws), they're right there (in perfect catching range).
"He made some mistakes. He fumbled a center snap (in the first half). When you look back at the opener (at NC State), he showed a lot of energy and made two careless decisions throwing the ball (leading to interceptions). He played better against Florida. He got some good experience against Florida A&M. And he really managed the game well at BYU. So, he's definitely heading in a good direction.''
Defense looks to rebound
USF's injury-riddled defense has been challenged all season. Saturday's matchup against the Mustangs represents the latest obstacle.
The defense played much better in the second half against BYU, permitting just seven points and 164 yards. That was partially due to USF's second-half offensive efficiency — three lengthy drives, three touchdowns — that gave the defense lots of needed recovery time.
The biggest defensive concerns are missed tackles and overall depth. Scott said live tackling was instituted in this week's practices against the scout-team players with the hopes that it will prompt game-time improvement.
Depth? The numbers have dwindled, especially in the secondary. Safety Will Jones II (season-ending torn ACL) and cornerback Christian Williams (ankle, still out for a few more weeks) were expected to be prominent players. They were joined on the injured list by cornerback TJ Robinson, who suffered a concussion at BYU and remains doubtful to play against SMU, and safety Brock Nichols, who suffered a mid-torso injury at BYU.
"We're very concerned,'' Scott said. "It's not a good week to be short in the secondary. As coaches, we have to find ways to put our team in the best position possible. Right now, it (secondary) is a red blinking light.''
Between injuries, youth that's not quite ready for prime time and attrition from last season's roster, Scott said the defensive numbers have dwindled.
"When you come in, first year in a program, you set a culture,'' Scott said. "Then certain guys, if that's not a good fit for them, they kind of exit. Those decisions weren't made with for the best interests of this season, they were made for the best interests of this program moving forward and setting our culture. We're missing some guys because of that.
"And injuries, of course. Hopefully, we can get over it. There have been four or five guys on that back end (secondary) that we missed. We thought that was going to be a strength for us. It is what it is. We've got to keep moving forward. You can't slow down or complain.''
Scott said college football isn't like the NFL, where teams can sign free agents and have them ready by the weekend. Scott said there will be an obvious offseason emphasis on building defensive depth through recruiting. The NCAA could pass legislation allowing teams to add seven more players to a recruiting class, theoretically giving USF the ability to sign 32 new players.
"Those are things you can't do until after the season,'' Scott said. "Our goal is to definitely have more depth than we have right now.''
For now?
"We've got to get it right and go back to work,'' Bulls' safety Mekhi LaPointe said. "There's no other option. We might be a little lacking in depth, but we have to make up for that (with effort).''
Permanent captains named
By vote of team members, USF named four permanent captains for this season — linebacker Dwayne Boyles, center Brad Cecil, guard Demetris Harris and safety Mekhi LaPointe.
"I was surprised, I'm not going to lie,'' LaPointe said. "There are many other guys who could've been picked — Thad Mangum, Mitchell Brinkman — lots of guys. I'm happy I was picked and I'm very grateful. I appreciate all my teammates thinking that highly of me.''
"It means a lot,'' Harris said. "It means respect from the players and coaches. They trust me and are going to lean on me. I don't take it lightly. I was raised to be a leader — little league, high school and now college. I waited my turn and learned from everybody. It's definitely an honor.''
