Scouting the UTC Offense

Quarterback Terrell Robinson is a very fast and athletic quarterback that will challenge the USF defense with his speed.

The Bulls take on UTC, the first challenge of the 2012 season.  UTC runs a different style of offense, using a lot of players in the backfield, rotating players in and out and getting the option style of offense going.  USF will have to be on their toes, read plays, and make sure they play their positions and not allow the skill players of UTC to get into the open.  Let's see who runs this offense. 

The UTC offensive line begins with senior right tackle Adam miller (6-4 275-pounds) who started every game last year (will be matched up with JuJu Forte in this game, should be fun to watch).  His back-up is red-shirt freshman Casey Hybarger (6-5 290-pounds).  At the right guard position is junior Kevin Revis (6-2 275-pounds) who started 10 games last year, missing just one due to an ankle injury.  His back-up is junior Irvin Hernandez (5-11 275-pounds) who filled in for one game with Revis out.  At the center position is sophomore Patrick Sutton (6-1 265-pounds) who was originally a walk-on that made his way up the depth chart and started every game at the middle for the Mocs.  His back-up is sophomore Shaun Hill (6-2 265-pounds) who saw action in 3-game last season.  At the left guard position is senior Dustin Tate (6-5 280-pounds) who has played in 20-games over his career, making 4 starts.  His back-up is junior Steven Nease (6-0 270-pounds) who made 1 start last season.  At left tackle, sophomore Brandon Morgan (6-2 290-pounds) made 8 starts last season and will have his hands full blocking Ryne Giddins.  His back-up is junior Hunter Dockery (6-4 305-pounds) who played mostly on special teams last year.

Two match-ups to watch this game will be the defensive tackles (Sager, Watson, Grissom, Chandler) against the center Sutton.  At 265-pounds, he is a bit undersized (former walk-on) and against the aggressive style and size of the USF front, the Mocs will have a real hard time getting their running game going and there should be a player causing Robinson to scramble on each play.  The other match-up to watch will be how Morgan, the Mocs left tackle, handles the speed rush of Ryne Giddins.  Giddins became a more complete lineman as the season went on and entering his junior season is expected to have a break-out season.  It is safe to say that Morgan has not faced a defensive end with the size and speed of Giddins and it could be a long day at the offense dealing with the constant pressure.

At the tight end position is sophomore Faysal Shafaat (6-5 240-pounds) who was named to the Southern Conference All Freshmen team after making 19 receptions for 179 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2011 (at 6-5, he is a match-up issue).  Behind him is senior Sean Stackhouse (6-4 250-pounds) who did not record any stats last season after transferring from Kentucky.  Behind him is red-shirt freshman Troy Dye (6-3 245-pounds).  At the flanker position (usually lined up behind the split end, also considered a slot back) is sophomore Bryant Belew (6-3 198-pounds) who appeared in 3-games last season.  Lining up behind him is sophomore Ron Moore (6-0 165-pounds) who caught 3 passes for 147 last season for 3 touchdowns (big time home run threat, but a little undersized).

At the split end position (position usually lines up behind the tackle) is sophomore Marlon Anthony (6-5 205-pounds) who had 27 receptions last season for 333 yards and 4 touchdowns (leading returning receiver for the Mocs).  Behind him is red-shirt junior Michael Trundle (6-2 200-pounds) who was not part of the team last season.  At the slot receiver position is sophomore Tommy Hudson (5-10 165-pounds) who returns after a season where he caught 5 passes for 30 yards (long of 11).  Behind him is red-shirt freshman Max Zinchini (5-11 195-pounds) who redshirted last season.

So what can the USF secondary expect here?  For one, they are not a huge passing team, they take a balanced approach and will use multiple formations.  With a split back and flanker, they can keep multiple looks from the backfield, sending either player out wide or in the slot to get the best match-up.  The biggest players to worry about are Faysal Shafaat who comes in at 6-5, giving the Mocs a big body over the middle that can pose a match-up issue with smaller corners.  If the Bulls use a linebacker like Barrington, it leaves holes for their running game (look for safety help as well).  The other big target is Marlon Antony (also 6-5) who is the team's leading returning receiver.  At the split end position, he can start plays in the backfield, disguising routes or can move to the slot or outside where his size will come into play.  USF has to keep the passing game of the Mocs in front of them and wrap-up these big receivers before they can get down the field and cause trouble after the catch.

At the quarterback position is sophomore Terrell Robinson (6-3 195-pounds).  The dual-threat quarterback was named Southern Conference freshman of the year last season.  In 8 games, he completed 27 of 43 passes for 336 yards including 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions (62.8% completion percentage).  His biggest threat came from his legs where he carried the ball 90 times for 505 yards (52 yards a game) and scored 5 touchdowns.

Robinson is a dual-threat that did not throw a ton last year (was a primary back-up) but has great speed and a long stride with his 6-3 frame.  It will be key for the USF linebackers, the most experienced unit on the field, to keep an eye on him and contain him to the box.  If they can make him a pocket passer, the defense can dictate the pace of the game.

Behind Robinson, is junior Graham Nichols (6-3 195-pounds) who was 14 out of 21 last year for just 62 yards, so not much experience behind young Robinson.

At the fullback position is sophomore Taharin Tyson (5-11 225-pounds) who missed the spring due to recovery from shoulder injury, but carried the ball 47 times last season for 147 yards and scored 2 touchdowns (also had 1 reception for 11 yards).  Behind him is junior Ethan Poe (5-9 200-pounds) who red-shirted last season.  The fullbacks are primarily blockers in their offense, but always look for a power run up the middle by them.

The Mocs have several talented running backs that will challenge the USF front size and they can rotate in several runners and keep the depth fresh during the game.

At running back is sophomore Marquis Green (5-7 175-pounds) who was named Southern Conference All Freshmen team last year after carrying the ball 120 times for 533 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and scored 3 touchdowns (also had 17 receptions for 89 yards).  He is a smaller back, so look for him to split carries early so he doesn't wear down.  Junior J.J. Jackson (5-9 200-pounds) carried the ball 70 times for 254 yards (3.3 yards a carry) and scored 3 touchdowns.  He gives the Mocs a more physical running style than Green has.  Senior Chris Awuah (5-9 200-pounds) carried the ball 58 times for 253 yards (3.9 per carry) and scored 3 touchdowns, he also caught 9 passes for 121 yards as well (dual threat, good speed out of the backfield).  The Mocs also have red-shirt freshman Kendrix Huitt (5-9 195-pounds) who redshirted last season and junior Keon Williams (6-0225-pounds) who after being named Southern Conference All Freshman team in 2010, did not carry the ball in 2011, but has ideal size that could be used against the USF front 7.

Overall, the Mocs have a lot of talent in the backfield, but not a lot of big size that can pound and wear down the Bulls front while wearing down the clock.  The Bulls will have to play disciplined and control the gaps to make sure the running backs don't get in the open field.