Half-time Report: USF at Pitt

Interesting half for the Bulls at Pitt. The Bulls started the game well, getting a big fumble on the first Pitt drive. Ryne Giddins made the strip and Mike Juene got the recovery. USF ran down the field with Scott making huge runs and finding big lanes. USF got on the board with a 12-yard scramble by B.J. Daniels. Pitt came right back and Sunseri was able to get the rushing touchdown as USF could not tackle, failed to stop the gaps, and gave up big plays. Pitt then got down the field again, but mistakes allowed the Bulls to get just a field goal against them. That ended the first quarter for the Bulls (dodged a few bullets there).

In the second quarter, there were more issues for the defense in the game as Pitt continued to drive the ball. The defense just hasn't made any stops, letting big passes and failing to get tackle. Pitt took the led 13 to 7 and it was very frustrating to see that. USF got the ball back with about 10 minutes left and took 13 plays down the field. Daniels got a lot of runs and Demetris Murray came in to help pick up the tempo of the offense and got the touchdown run to put the Bulls up 14 to 13. But Pitt came right back as they continue to gash our defense. Ray Graham is getting big gains in the pass and run game, breaking so many arm tackles. Kayvon Webster went down with an injury and A.J. Love hopped off the field with what appears a knee injury, which is very scary to see for USF again.

USF was able to come down the field late in the second quarter, pushing the tempo even more, finding Sterling on a huge pass play, but had to settle for a field goal that got the Bulls back into the mix at 20 to 17. The offense has shown some poise, but has to be more efficient. Drops, misreads, and clock management are bad right now and the coaching staff has to figure it out.

Daniels finished the half 8 of 14 for 106 yards, no turnovers, but has not taken a shot at the endzone as everything has been kept on the ground. Daniels was 8 for 39 rushing, Scott was 8 for 36 yards, Murray was 6 for 36 yards and a touchdown. The team has to get it together in the second half. Defense has to step up, make some stops, swarm and stop the big plays. The offense has to get the passing game going as well. We will see what happens in the second half.