USF (1-2; 0-0 American) vs. Rice (2-1; 0-0 American)
Saturday, Sept. 23 • 4:00 P.M. • Raymond James Stadium (65,000) • Tampa, Fla.
SURFACE: Bermuda Natural Grass
TV: ESPNU: Jay Alter (PXP) & Rene Ingoglia (Analyst)
AUDIO: 102.5 FM & HD 2/TuneIn - Bulls Unlimited
SERIES: First Meeting
IN TAMPA: First Meeting
IN HOUSTON: NA
LAST TIME: NA
VS. AAC: 30-50, 11th season
AAC OPENERS: 5-5, lost 4 straight
LAST: L, 28-48, to ECU in Boca Raton
USF GAME NOTES
The breakdown of Saturday's USF-Rice football game at Raymond James Stadium revolves around some obvious truths.
For the Bulls (1-2) to win their American Athletic Conference opener, they must score touchdowns (plural) against the Owls (2-1), something that did not come close to happening in last week's 17-3 battle against No. 10 Alabama.
USF ventured into Alabama territory four times (once after a special-teams turnover that led to a field goal). Twice, the Bulls were stopped on fourth-down plays (at the Alabama 28 and 22- yard lines) and there was also an end zone interception on a deep pass attempt from the Alabama 41).
There were entertaining offensive moments. Fans are still talking about how Nay'Quan Wright went up the middle to truck an Alabama defender, setting a physical tone for the Bulls. Tight end Weston Wolff leaped over a would-be Alabama tackler and picked up a first down. Quarterback Byrum Brown was ultra-resourceful while scrambling for 92 yards.
But a solitary field goal won't cut it, particularly when the USF defense delivered one of its most notable games in recent memory, and Bulls coach Alex Golesh knows that all too well.
Another obvious truth: The Bulls operated against an Alabama defense that featured at least a half-dozen premium NFL draft picks. The competition level was formidable. The game against Rice will provide a more realistic measuring stick of where the Bulls stand because it's an AAC opponent and the Owls are ranked 72nd nationally in total defense.
Here's how USF can jump-start its offense:
Be Bold, But Smart
Golesh has not been a conservative head coach so far. USF is 8-for-15 on fourth-down conversions. In fact, three of USF's eight touchdowns have occurred on fourth-down plays.
These days, field goals are almost a necessary evil in modern college football. It's a game of touchdowns — many of them — and a defensive stop or two often decides the outcome.
"We're going to be aggressive,'' Golesh said. "I like being aggressive. We ask our guys to be aggressive, so we have to be aggressive (in play calling). But we have to be smart.''
Good Decisions In The Pocket
You can't argue with the overall productivity of Brown, who leads all FBS quarterbacks in rushing yardage (269 yards, four touchdowns), while being responsible for 15 touchdowns over his last five games (dating to the final two contests of 2022).
But he's completing just 51-percent of his passes and had only 87 passing yards against Alabama.
"He's a guy that you've got to get in rhythm early and we're learning that as we're going,'' Golesh said. "When he's in a rhythm and feels like he can get his feet under him, I think he doesn't have to rely on his feet as much. In the Florida A&M game, I thought he hung in there, felt like he was seeing it.
"In the second half (against Alabama), I think it was happening really fast for him. He was like, 'Man, I'm just going to make it happen,' which is an incredible tool to have. He has continued to take steps forward and I'm certainly not disappointed. You'd like for him to trust what's happening, get his feet in the ground and throw the football. But when he takes off and something good happens, which is moving the chains, I'm totally good.''
Bulls offensive coordinator Joel Gordon said Brown is a highly advanced quarterback, especially considering he has started just five games at USF.
"There are times when you want Byrum to really just trust his fundamentals in the pocket and go through his progressions, staying in there as long as he can,'' Gordon said. "But there are times when there's just not the chance to do that. You tell a young quarterback to stay in there because he could see something down the field. But if he can get out of there and get it (first down) with his feet, you don't want to tell him that he's not allowed to use his feet. There's a fine line and a balance.''
As a bonus, Golesh said Brown is a smart runner, not only knowing when to slide but also finding ways to avoid big hits.
"Byrum created first downs with his speed,'' Golesh said. "Sure, there were throws you'd like to have back, but he's an elite leader and he's going to continue to grow. It takes time. But that's an excuse. And nobody here wants to hear an excuse. I certainly don't. We're going to keep laying the foundation and Byrum will keep getting better because he cares. He's tough as they come. He represents exactly what you want this program to be.''
You could make an argument that USF's best plays against Alabama occurred when all the receivers were covered and Brown was forced to scamper for first downs.
And that leads into USF's next priority.
Receivers Must Get Open
If USF's receivers aren't open, then you definitely can't fault Brown for running, especially if he keeps producing positive plays.
"There are a bunch of guys in that (receiver) group who are Uber-talented,'' Golesh said. "There are also a bunch of guys in there still learning what it's like to play football at this level.''
Former walk-on Sean Atkins has been the most consistent receiver (16 catches for 142 yards), while doubling as the primary punt returner.
Golesh said transfer Naiem Simmons (Wagner) battled through a spring injury and has begun to gain the confidence that, "Man, I can play with these dudes'' after being ultra-productive at the FCS level.
Michael Brown-Stephens (Minnesota) doesn't lack for confidence, but was haunted by injuries throughout training camp. Jaden Alexis (Texas) also has battled injuries, which have limited his experience with the Longhorns and Bulls.
Khafre Brown (North Carolina) played sparingly last season, but flashed with an 84-yard touchdown catch in the opener at Western Kentucky. And Kelley Joiner, a running back throughout his USF career, is making the transition to receiver.
Golesh loves the potential. But he doesn't have unlimited patience. He wants more productivity from the group.
"I told our staff last Sunday that when we actually truly believe we're confident out there at receiver, we're going to light this thing up,'' Golesh said. "I went through this two years ago (at Tennessee). Similar situation where it just takes time to gain confidence.
"I've tried every Jedi mind trick I have. We're going to continue to work through it. I'm confident that this group of guys is really, really talented. At whatever point it clicks for them, we'll be really, really efficient in this offense. I think the quarterback (Brown) is playing at a high enough clip that they (passing statistics) should be way better. And for us to win games, we've got to be better.''
Gordon said an improved passing game will be a reflection of the entire offense, not just the receivers.
"It's not that we don't have open receivers,'' Gordon said. "It might not be every single play where there's a guy busting loose with a whole bunch of separation. But there are guys who are open and whether it's a breakdown at quarterback or with the protection, we've just been inconsistent. We've got to get more in synch, no question.
"If we have eight of 11 guys doing a really good job, that doesn't add up to execution. We need 11 guys all the time doing their jobs and that will mean high-level execution.''
First-Down Efficiency
Against Alabama, the Bulls averaged only 2.6 yards on 35 first-down plays, rushing 11 times for 20 yards and going 5-for-15 with 48 yards in the passing game. As a result, 11 of USF's 17 third-down plays were third-and-7 or greater.
"Where we got into big trouble was getting behind the sticks, then winding up in a bunch of third-and-11, third-and-12 situations,'' Gordon said. "When you're third-and-2 or third-and-4, we did pretty good, like 75 percent (conversions).
"Getting 4 yards on first down is a whole lot better than nothing. It's a very manageable situation and you're not feeling the pressure of second-and-10. Every down is important. For our group, it's the discipline and detail that's needed to execute every play across the board. We have simply lacked consistency.''
The bottom line?
"We've got to play better and execute better on offense,'' Golesh said. "I don't think that's a big secret.''
But after struggling against Alabama, offensive improvement is USF's biggest key and the ingredient that could lead to a victory against Rice in the AAC opener.
–#GoBulls–
