Thoughts and scribbles in my notebook after watching USF dismantle UAB 48-18:
This game was not quite as dominating a performance by the Bulls as the final score indicates as they could not get much going offensively in the first half as they were stopped by their own penalties. Every time the Bulls would get moving offensively, a penalty would stop them in their tracks. Defensively, the Bulls had UAB stopped a couple of different times, and a penalty would give UAB a new lease on life with a new set of downs to work with.
The Bulls led by just seven at the half, 17-10. Alex Golesh had said he wanted to see his team get off to a fast start, but it was anything but.
Golesh spoke with the Bulls Radio Network about the frustrating first-half performance. “That first half was about as frustrating as you can have. There were some penalties in that first half that were beyond frustrating, and they set us back and gave them first downs.”
But as they have many times this year, the Bulls came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, scoring a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage to put USF solidly in command 21-10.
Penalties
USF played sloppy, undisciplined football as they were flagged for 104 yards on 13 penalties with nine of those penalties coming in the first half. The big blow came in the second quarter when starting safety Fred Gaskin was ejected for targeting, a significant setback for the Bulls’ defense. However, the defense, minus Gaskin, would hold UAB to just seven points in the second half as the Bulls were never threatened.
“The penalties are the piece that I’m most disappointed about,” Golesh Said. “We didn’t look like a disciplined team. We looked like a team that was walking in thinking we were going to win the game.”
Big Second Half
For most of the season, the Bulls have been slow to start games, but have come out in the second half and blown out their competition. Saturday against UAB was no exception. The Bulls outscored the Blazers 31-8 in the second half to secure the 48-18 win.
The Bulls have now outscored their opponents in the second half 254-131 this season. The only exceptions are games against Miami and Memphis in which the opposition outscored the Bulls.
“We looked like us in the second half,” Golesh said.
Distractions
USF had plenty of those this week. Not only did they have to deal with the fallout of the loss to Navy, but everywhere you looked, there was talk of Alex Golesh leaving the program to take a coaching job in the BIG12 or SEC.
Then, on Saturday morning, two UAB football players were stabbed at the UAB football complex, putting the game in jeopardy. But the Blazers voted as a team to continue with the game, earning the respect of Golesh.
“I told Coach Mort, I’ve got a ton of respect for him. The way he handled it was as professional as it comes. There’s nothing that can prepare you for a situation like that, and our hearts go out to that team and that program.”
Redshirt Freshman Daniel Mincy was charged and booked into the Jefferson County Jail on charges of aggravated assault and attempted murder.
Career Days
Quarterback Byrum Brown continued to add to his outstanding season. Brown had his second straight 300-yard passing game as he threw for a season-high 353 yards and three touchdowns.
Brown also set a new program record with his 11th 200-yard or better passing game of the year. He entered the game No. 2 in the nation in total offense and No. 1 in points responsible for. Brown racked up 416 total yards and five touchdowns on the day (three passing and two running). This was Brown’s seventh straight game of 300-plus yards and sixth game on the year accounting for at least four touchdowns.
Wide receiver Mudia Reuben also had a career day with five catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Reuben scored on touchdowns of 60 and 59 yards. It was the sixth-best receiving game in program history.
Running back Nykahi Davenport had his first career 100-yard game with 121 yards and a touchdown. Davenport averaged 7.5 yards per carry.
The Bulls are now 8-3 on the season and 5-2 in the AAC with the season finale coming up at Raymond James Stadium against Rice.