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: CBS Sports Network: 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
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — For the returning USF defensive players, last season's numbers were particularly grim — 516.6 yards allowed per game (131st among 131 Football Bowl Subdivision teams) — but that's ancient history for first-year Bulls defensive coordinator Todd Orlando.
"You use it (as motivation) to an extent, then you become numb to it,'' Orlando said. "I think we probably fired a couple of shots across the bow when we first got here. It was like, 'OK, if you're a prima donna and you were part of that defense … really?'
"So, the focus has changed. This is the way we're going to work. Here's how we're going to change the results. If you were part of the 1985 Chicago Bears, maybe you have some leniency (toward anyone resisting change). But to spend time focusing on that (USF's 2022 defense), it's a waste of time. We talked about it early. We moved forward. We have to get better — a lot better — and that's very obvious.''
Coach Alex Golesh begins his USF era on Saturday afternoon when the Bulls take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. It's also the debut for Orlando's USF defense — and it's a difficult challenge indeed.
WKU quarterback Austin Reed, a product of St. Augustine High School who led West Florida to the NCAA Division II national championship in 2019, paced the FBS in passing yards last season (4,746) and became Conference USA Newcomer of the Year. Reed has his top receiver returning in preseason All-American Malachi Corley (101 catches, 1,295 yards, 11 touchdowns).
The WKU defense, which led the nation in takeaways (32) last season, has plenty of new faces from the transfer portal and will be an interesting matchup against USF's fast-paced offense.
But the biggest question remains: Can the Bulls stop (or slow down) the Hilltoppers in a potentially high-scoring game?
"What happened with our defense last season can't be changed, so it does nothing for me,'' linebacker Jhalyn Shuler said. "Where they picked us in the preseason? Can't do anything about that either. But I know the defense I'm in right now, how much work we've put in and how good we can be. We're not going to talk much about it. We're just going to do it.''
"Last season hurt because it's a team game and I was part of that team,'' cornerback Aamaris Brown said. "You put your blood out there. But it's time to let that go. All my focus is on the here and now. Quite honestly, I'm excited about what we're going to become on defense.''
Orlando wants the Bulls to mature into a disciplined, physical and tough-minded defensive unit. The first order of business is much-improved tackling.
"If you put a gun to my head and wanted to know the stuff we have to clean up, it's just in-space tackling and the random fan would be able to see that,'' Orlando said. "We've got to run to the football. When they put their playmakers in space, we have to do a really good job of running to the football. It's going to be a big key to this game.
"Missed tackles are going to happen. Anybody who has ever played this game, if you get a decent skilled (offensive) guy out there, you're going to miss your fair share. But if we can run to the football — I mean really run to the football — there's a confidence level there where you know you're not the only guy out there. If we're going to try and empty the tank and run to the ball the way we need to, we just can't save ourselves when that ball goes out to the perimeter. Everybody from inside and out has to go help the person who's out there.''
Orlando said he plans to utilize numerous players in his defensive rotation — taking his cue from the individual skill-sets and the talents they bring to various down-and-distance situations — while also looking to keep a fresh look to the defensive line.
"It's not like lights-out, but I feel comfortable with the first and second units and a couple of (other) guys we can put in there,'' Orlando said. "I think we're in a decent spot right now. The guys who get the most tired are those guys up front, but we have a plan to rotate them and keep us fresh up front.''
How can USF change its defensive numbers?
For one thing, Orlando said the modern offensive explosion has changed the way he views statistics. But there are several key areas that carry great value.
"Total yardage to me is completely out of play nowadays,'' Orlando said. "Points (per possession) are relevant. Red-zone stops — if you can hold them to three points — you can really hang your hat on that.
"Overall, we're trying to be explosive on our side — with tackles for a loss, sacks and turnovers. We want to attack the heck out of people with pace and speed. If you can score (on offense), then your defense creates an explosive play or a turnover … that's what you want. Never give that other team an opportunity to relax. That's what we're working to get. If you win the turnover battle, you're going to win a whole bunch of ballgames, especially if your offense is explosive.''
Orlando's plans have been received loud and clear.
"He's a great coach who knows what he's talking about,'' linebacker D.J. Gordon said. "He has the background knowledge and he has the receipts, so you don't have to question it. I'm ready to get out on that field, so everybody can see what we've been seeing. We've put in the work. Now it's time for results.''
- #GoBulls –
