The USF Bulls are back home to begin conference play this Friday night when they welcome the Charlotte 49ers to Raymond James Stadium.
After navigating one of the most demanding non-conference schedules in recent memory, the Bulls begin conference play with high expectations.
USF emerged 3-1 in the non-conference portion of the schedule, upsetting Boise State at home on a Thursday night, beating Florida in Gainesville, losing at Miami, and then beating South Carolina State at home to wrap up the non-conference portion of the schedule.
The Bulls have their sights set on an AAC Championship and a possible berth in the College Football Championships, and that all starts Friday night in primetime with the conference opener against Charlotte.
The 49ers come into the game 1-3 on the season with their only win against Monmouth 42-35. Charlotte has already played a conference game, losing to Rice 28-17.
Coach Alex Golesh praised Charlotte coach Tim Albin and the program he is building there: “Charlotte has a lot of guys who are new to the program and a brand-new staff. Coach Albin, when you watch the film, you see a bunch of guys playing really, really hard on both sides of the ball that are trying to truly find an identity.”
“There are so many new faces from what we saw the last two years. But you can see there’s a culture being built of toughness and grit. They don’t shoot themselves in the foot in all three phases. Defensively, they have a sound system that’s going to make you earn everything you get.”
The fact that this game is nationally televised on ESPN2 motivates Golesh and the Bulls to put on a great show for the country.
“Not that it changes what you do or how you do it, but certainly our guys are aware that a lot of people are watching,” Golesh said. “I think Ray-Jay Friday night under the lights will be incredible. We have the opportunity to show our identity to the whole country. I don’t know if you need extra motivation, but that certainly doesn’t hurt.”
On Friday night, the nation will see one of the best linebacking duos in the country that no one is talking about in Mac Harris and Jhalyn Shuler. These two linebackers have helped the defense force seven turnovers in four games. This duo is also tied for the team lead in tackles with 36. Harris also leads the team in sacks with four, has a 93-yard interception return for a touchdown, and one forced fumble.
The nation will also see a high-octane offense led by quarterback Byrum Brown, who has completed 62.3 percent of his passes this season. Brown has passed for six touchdowns, run for two, and will beat you with his legs and his arm.
Chas Nimrod and KeShaun Singleton have been the go-to targets for Brown with over 600 receiving yards between them.
Last season, the Bulls opened up conference play 0-2, but Shuler says it’s essential to get a win in the conference opener to set the right tone for the season: “The first game just sets the tone for the rest of the games. You get a good win and handle your business, that puts you in a good spot and lets you roll on to the next one.”
The Bulls are 2-0 all-time against Charlotte, winning 59-24 last season.
The 49ers will be without starting quarterback Conner Harrell. He suffered a leg injury against Rice and is out for the season. Grayson Loftis, a Duke Transfer, will be Charlotte’s quarterback for the foreseeable future.
Rod Gainey and CJ Stokes lead the 49ers’ run game, but the team’s ground game has yet to take off. They are 131st in the country in rushing.
Protecting the quarterback has been a problem for Charlotte this season. They have allowed eight sacks, but they allowed six of those in the Rice game after Harrell left with the leg injury.
The Bulls are favored by 39.5 points, and there should be no reason that the Bulls won’t put this one in the win column.