The Morning After: USF Regroups After Falling 17 to 30 to FSU

(Picture: www.gousfbulls.com)

The Bulls, falling 17 to 30, were able to hang tough with the 4th ranked Seminoles, but a loss is a loss.  USF is now 2-3 (0-1) on the year after this loss.  The team was able to lay it all out there, but now they will have to look back, build off of this effort, and get ready for Temple on Saturday.

USF was outgained by the Noles 268 to 422 yards.  The offense was able to get a few plays to get scores and the defense was able to make a few big plays, but it wasn't enough.  USF had 6 penalties for 48 yards, including two that allowed FSU to move the ball.  The first was a holding call on freshman Sean Price that killed a USF drive and another was a personal foul on Dede Lattimore that allowed the Noles to keep the ball and continue to attack.  With that all said, time to start breaking down each unit.

Special teams - The punt team did a fairly solid job, not allowing the Nole returners to get anything going.  On kick returns, Karlos Williams, returned 4 punts for 100 yards, including a long for 59 yards.  The coverage team didn't do the best job.  The big return happened from a bad kick for USF, Marvin Kloss slipped on the bad field, and left the ball short, setting up the big return.  Maikon Bonani was 1 for 1 in field goal attempts.  JBK had 6 punts, averaging around 36 yards a boot.  Overall, it wasn't the worst night for the unit, but coverage is bad and has to improve going forward.

Offense - In the running game, the Bulls didn't do a great job opening the running lanes up, but facing that defensive line of the Noles, it wouldn't be easy.  Demetris Murray and 7 carries for 40 yards, Lindsey Lamar had 8 carries for 22 caries and Shaw had just one carry for 2 yards.  B.J. Daniels was the leading rusher, once again, carrying it 15 times for 72 yards and 2 touchdowns.  The offense was shouldered by Daniels, where he did take some shots, including a shot that forced him out of the game and led to a huge point swing when redshirt freshman Matt Floyd game.  Floyd came into the game, cold, and was given a pass play.  There was no chip on the outside and Floyd was laid out for an 11-year loss that allowed the Noles to pick up his fumble and score a momentum changing touchdown on us.  

Daniels on the day was 17 of 33 attempts for 143 yards, including 1 interception and 1 sack, moving and running for his life the entire game.

With Andre Davis covered the entire game (gave Daniels an ear full on the sidelines too) Derrick Hopkins became the primary receiver with 3 receptions for 59 yards.  Evan Landi had 2 for 30, Terrence Mitchell had 4 for 29, and Welch, Davis, Dunkley, and Lamar all had one reception on the day.  Overall, with Daniels running for his life, it wasn't easy to get open looks for him and credit for that goes to the relentless Nole defense.

Defense - After being gashed big time last week, the defense looked a lot better.  Yes, they did allow conversions on third down and gave up 422 yards of offense, but they hung in there and actually got pressure from the front 4 on E.J. Manuel, doing all they could to keep the game close.  Kayvon Webster led with 12 tackles and 2 tackles for loss.  Mark Joyce had 7 tackles, Tevin Mims had 6 tackles, Cory Grissom had 4 tackles and a sack and Sam Barrington had 5 tackles.  The defense played all out in this game, hitting hard, racing to the ball, and playing at a very high level.  After bashing them for weeks, they focused in and came with everything they had in this game.  The team will need to play at this level the rest of the way because they will need every yard they can get if they want to reach a bowl game.