USF (5-5; 3-3 American) at UTSA (7-3; 6-0 American)
Friday, Nov.17 • 9:00 P.M. (ET) • Alamodome (73,086) • San Antonio, Texas
SURFACE: Natural Bermuda
TV: ESPN2: Anish Shroff (P-by-P), Andre Ware (Analyst) & Paul Carcaterra (sideline)
AUDIO: 102.5 FP & HD 2/ TuneIn - Bulls Unlimited
SERIES: First Meeting
IN TAMPA: NA
LAST TIME: NA
USF IN TEXAS: 3-7
STREAK: NA
WEEKDAY GAMES: 19-33
FRIDAY GAMES: 11-18
USF GAME NOTES
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Deep in the heart of Texas, the USF Bulls will find lights that are brighter than normal on Friday night at the Alamodome.
The Bulls (5-5, 3-3 AAC), seeking one more victory to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2018, face the UTSA Roadrunners (7-3, 6-0 AAC) in the ESPN2 showcase game that will play out in front of a select audience of USF's peers.
That means college-football players and coaches from coast to coast. In hotels across America, following the team meal and maybe a meeting or two, everyone will relax in their rooms and flip on the standalone college-football game.
Friday night, that's USF-UTSA.
Elsewhere, it's a potential lasting impression for folks who have only heard rumblings about the program turnaround in head coach Alex Golesh's first season. Here's a chance to see it with their own eyes — live and in color.
"It's Friday night, you're playing the best team in our league, you're on national TV … what more motivation could you possibly need?'' Golesh said. "Friday night games are fascinating. You're being watched by everybody (in college football) because everybody else (mostly) is playing on Saturday.
"You don't need any more motivation than that. If you want to go be at the top of the conference, this is what it looks like. If you're playing on national TV, whatever day it is, that means something is right. When you're playing a meaningful game in November, that means something is right.''
Mike Lofton, the USF center, said he's excited about the opportunity.
"I think that it shows how far we've come as a program and (it's a result of) the amount of work that we put in throughout the season just to get where we are,'' Lofton said. "This is a big game because it's the next one. UTSA is a good opponent. They're undefeated in the conference. For us, it's good to show the country what USF is all about and put them on notice.''
With the exception of non-conference foe Alabama, a national-title contender, the Roadrunners are probably the most accomplished team on USF's schedule. Under Coach Jeff Traylor and dynamic quarterback Frank Harris, they captured back-to-back Conference USA championships and are hopeful that their Black Friday showdown at Tulane will be for a spot in the AAC Championship Game in their inaugural season.
But the Bulls might have something to say about that.
Here are four areas where the Bulls need success in order to upset UTSA:
Shine On The Big Stage
If Byrum Brown plays as advertised — he's No. 7 in individual total offense in the nation, surrounded on that list by the nation's quarterback luminaries — that's a great sign.
If former walk-on receiver Sean Atkins, who already has set USF's single-season reception record (69), does his thing, the Bulls' offense should be in high gear.
If Nay'Quan Wright moves the chains and leads a powerful running game, the UTSA defense will be challenged.
If USF's defense forces multiple takeaways — like it has in the Bulls' best performances this season — that's a winning formula.
In short, USF's stars must play like stars. The Bulls must flaunt their secrets to success. And if that happens before a national-television audience, it will provide an immeasurable boost to the program, even beyond the scoreboard.
Cope With The Noise
USF has dealt with searing heat, rain, wind and moderately chilly temperatures. Now comes a new challenge — playing in a dome.
Before a large crowd on UTSA's Senior Night, it's going to be loud, maybe even deafening.
What rhymes with noise?
Poise.
USF needs lots of it, especially with its fast-paced offense.
"It's really important,'' Lofton said. "With our offense, we've got to start fast and move the chains. We can't have any mistakes, any dumb penalties, if you will. Once we start fast, hopefully the fans (and the noise) will go away.''
Golesh said he has two games of experience in the building when his previous programs competed at the Alamo Bowl. The first trip was on Dec. 29, 2004 as a member of Ohio State's staff when the Buckeyes defeated Oklahoma State 33-7. The second trip was on Dec. 28, 2018 with Iowa State when the Cyclones were defeated 28-26 by Coach Mike Leach's Washington State Cougars.
"The game came down to a two-point play at the end of the game where we jumped offsides,'' Golesh said. "The noise is a factor in that building. But the noise is a factor because they (UTSA) created that environment. They've earned the right for the noise to be a factor. That dome itself echoes the noise. And they do a great job with their game-day environment. The band cranks and the music cranks. It's a cool spot.''
Get Some Takeaways
This factor belongs in the USF Keys To The Game Hall of Fame because it's mentioned practically every week.
For good reason.
It's one of the largest predictors for USF success. The Bulls had four takeaways — including a pair of spectacular leaping interceptions from cornerback Aamaris Brown-Bunkley — in last week's 27-23 win against Temple. There were also four takeaways in the 24-21 triumph at UConn, including the game-sealing forced fumble by linebacker Mac Harris and the recovery by nickel back Daquan Evans, and five in a victory over Florida A&M.
In USF's five victories, it has 14 takeaways.
In USF's five defeats, it has just three.
Get the picture?
Tackle In Space
When USF's defense has been good, it has been really good. When USF's defense has been bad, it has been really bad.
The common denominator is USF's ability to tackle.
At Memphis, facing a backup quarterback, the Bulls were positioned to get off the field in a tight game. A run-pass option produced a sideline throw, a few yards short of a first down. But the tackle was not made — back-breaking 85-yard touchdown.
That was probably the most graphic example of the malady plaguing USF's defense in its most poor efforts. Defensive coordinator Todd Orlando said he wants his players to be aggressive without hesitation — regardless of whether it leads to a big play. USF has tweaked its defensive lineup here and there, at times sacrificing talent for consistency.
Spectacular plays are great. But mostly, it comes down to making plays — period — taking better angles, hemming up a ball-carrier, making smart decisions.
All of those characteristics must show up for the Bulls to upset the Roadrunners.
–#GoBulls–
