Number 8: Lindsey Lamar's 94-yard kickoff return vs. Syracuse
In a game that had very few highlights, Lindsey Lamar's kickoff return in the 3rd quarter provided a short burst of hope that USF's Homecoming Game could be salvaged.
USF had gone into the half tied with Syracuse, 3-3. That's right, Syracuse. The same team who USF had made a mockery of every year since joining the Big East. Both teams' offenses looked awful all day, and halftime couldn't come soon enough. Out of the gate in the second half, Syracuse ended an 11-play, 49 yard drive with a 41-yard field goal by Ross Krautman to go up 6-3.
USF prepared for the ensuing kickoff, needing excellent field position because the offense wasn't going to win this one on their own. They needed all the help they could get, and with the defense doing a good job so far just holding the Orange to just two field goals, just a spark might do it for the Bulls. Krautman booted the ball to USF, where Lindsey Lamar took it in at the 6 yard line. Fullback Richard Kelly led the way with a block that opened a gaping hole in the coverage, which turned out to be all the elusive Lamar needed. After weaving through the first line of defense, all he had to do was beat the kicker, which proved to be no task for the track star. Lamar trotted into the end zone for the first touchdown of the day, and for a brief moment USF looked like they would be able to hold off Syracuse once again.
After the game, when asked about his return, the humble Lamar didn't credit his performance with the momentum shift that it provided:
"It's extremely disappointing — it doesn't matter, because we lost"
The game itself was certainly lacking highlights, but Lamar gave Bulls fans a reason to stand up and cheer for as brief a moment as it was.
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