Key Match-ups for USF vs. Nevada

The individual match-ups in every game are always important, usually leading to a big play that can decide the game.  Let’s take a look at some of the biggest match-ups in this one between the Bulls and the Wolf Pack.

LE Jake Reynoso vs. LT Darrell Williams – Williams, getting the nod at tackle this season, didn’t face the size and talent level against UTC that Reynoso and the Wolfpack bring.  Reynoso is their top pass rusher and will be trying to chase down Daniels. Williams, with limited starting experience, will get his first real test on the edge and will need to keep Reynoso off of Daniels.

SAM LB Jeremiah Green vs. RB Marcus Shaw – Senior linebacker Jeremiah Green leads the Wolfpack linebackers and stopping the speed and running game of the Bulls will be the key for him.  Marcus Shaw, who continues to prove himself, has the ability to break free at any-time, something Green will try to stop by shooting the gaps and taking away the cut back lanes.  Look for Shaw to break to the outside and try to find some open field to cause damage against Nevada.

RB Stefphon Hall vs. WILL LB DeDe Lattimore – The tackling machine Lattimore is poised for a huge season and he will have his hands full with Stefphon Hall, the Wolf Pack’s leading returning rusher from last season.  Hall is a speedy back that will be dangerous on the edge thanks to the pistol offense.  Lattimore will have to stay in his gaps and make the tackle in the open field and not allow Hall to get down the field.

QB Cody Fajardo vs. DE Ryne Giddins – Fajardo is a mobile quarterback that had over 700 yards rushing last season as a freshman and will give the Bulls a lot of trouble in this game. Giddins, the best pass rusher for USF, will have to contain him the entire game.  Either he will get into the backfield to take him down in passing situations or will have to control the edge and not allow Fajardo to pitch the ball on the option or to get free off the corner and chew up the yardage against them.

TE Kolby Arendse vs. S Mark Joyce – Arendse, the most experienced pass catcher from 2011, is a big target that can block and get down the field for long pass plays.  Mark Joyce, one of the best playmakers in the secondary, will have to come up and make plays in the passing game and will have to take Arendse out of the game, by blanketing him in coverage and even reading the quarterback’s eyes and jumping a route when he can.