USF (0-0; 0-0 American) at Western Kentucky (0-0; 0-0 C-USA)
Saturday, Sept. 2 • 3:30 P.M. (ET) •  L.T. Smith Stadium (22,113) • Bowling Green, Ky.

SURFACE: Field Turf
TV: CBSSN: Alex Del Bario (PXP) & Malik Zaire (Analyst)
AUDIO: 102.5 FM & HD 2 & TuneIn - Bulls Unlimited
SERIES: USF leads 4-3; STREAK: WKU, 1
IN TAMPA: USF leads, 2-1
NEUTRAL: WKU 1-0
IN BOWLING GREEN: USF leads, 2-1, Last: USF, W, 35-13, in 2009
LAST TIME: WKU won, 45-35, at 2015 Miami Beach Bowl
VS C-USA TEAMS: 13-11
SEASON OPENERS: 19-7, lost last 2, Last: L, 50-21 to BYU in Tampa last year,
ROAD SEASON OPENERS: 2-5, last at NC State IN 2021
USF GAME NOTES
 

When USF's fast-moving offense is unveiled in Saturday afternoon's season-opener at Western Kentucky, it will no doubt feature a wide-open, fun-filled passing attack.

But don't overlook the Bulls' running game.

Philosophically, Bulls coach Alex Golesh believes in rushing. During his past three seasons as an offensive coordinator, his teams have been among the national leaders in rushing (Tennessee 199.5 average rushing yards for 26th in 2022 and 217.8 for 12th in 2021, along with 210.7 at UCF for 25th in 2020).

Golesh also said he believes USF has considerable running-back talent.

"I'm beyond excited about our running-back room,'' Golesh said. "That's one group that has been steady since the spring. I think the explosive passes are what makes it maybe fun to watch. But I think when you really study what we do, everything starts for us with the running game.''

And that's an exciting thought for USF's offensive line. Typical of all big guys up front, the Bulls enjoy blocking for the run.

"Running the ball always has been one of our strongest suits,'' said Bulls offensive tackle Donovan Jennings, who contributed to last season's productivity (the Bulls were 27th nationally at 197.9 rushing yards per game). "All of our running backs have been working very hard. We're excited to open the holes we need, then see them breaking loose and having fun out there.''

Kelley Joiner Jr. (5-9, 184) begins his fifth season with USF, after compiling a career total of 1,256 yards, including three 100-yard rushing games. Michel Dukes (5-10, 194) showed well in his first USF season after a transfer from Clemson, rushing for 188 yards and five touchdowns.

Golesh added Florida transfer Nay'Quan Wright (5-foot-9, 204 pounds), who played in 33 games for the Gators and ran for 753 yards with 35 receptions, to the mix. He has looked good in fall camp, as has returning junior K'Wan Powell (5-9, 205), a powerful runner who had his early career derailed by a knee injury.

Golesh also expressed trust in North Dakota State transfer Dominic Gonnella (5-11, 211) and Yasias Young (5-9, 187).

Golesh said Powell has been the team's most improved player through training camp. Powell, who rushed for 3,740 career yards and 53 touchdowns at Class 1A Vernon, suffered a season-ending non-contact injury in 2021 training camp when his cleat awkwardly got stuck in the turf. He returned to rush for 123 yards and one touchdown last season.

"When I got here and through the spring, I thought K'Wan was a young guy who looked lost,'' Golesh said. "I told him that his high-school film was really, really high end, but he didn't look the part. But if you were going to give a Most Improved Award through camp, it would be K'Wan. I totally trust K'Wan to go in the game and go win it for us.

"It's hard to go back-to-back drives at that position (running back) because the load is so high and the tempo is so fast. When it comes down to it in the second half, when you've got to win, you go in terms of the hot hand. But I think it's going to be a huge, huge bonus for us that these guys can stay fresh and be really strong runners for us. If you were to ask me what I'm most excited about, it's our run game and what that becomes as we go here.''

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