How Did the USF Running Game Look?

Darrell saw his first action as a Bull on Saturday.

The Bulls have talked all season about the the improvement of the rushing attack. USF had a solid 2010 season with Plancher and Muray carrying the rock, but this season, more is expected of the running game and we did see a small dose of it vs. Notre Dame.

The Bulls came into the Notre Dame game listing both Murray and Scott as the co-running backs, not distinguishing one ahead of the other. This was either to show both were on equal ground or to simply keep ND guessing on who would get the main bulk of the carries during the game.

USF's X-Factor Versus the Irish?

Who could be an x-factor in the Bulls first game of the season vs. the Irish? (Picture: J. Patrick Price)

As USF prepares for one of the biggest games in program history (big for Holtz as well, no matter how much he tries to put it off) everyone continues to talk about the big names on the team. Such as B.J. Daniels and what he will do this season, the play of Ryne Giddins on the defense, and so on.

However, there is one name that could be a huge x-factor during the game and the way USF can utilize his abilities, could turn the game in our favor in just one play. [keep reading]

Notes From USF Practice - Day 10

Wide receiver Lindsey Lamar could get more time in the backfield this season (Picture: www.tampabay.com)

From Greg Auman and Adam Adkins - After a successful scrimmage yesterday and a solid evaluation day for the coaches with the second and third team players getting action, the Bulls had the day off for the first time since coming to Vero Beach.

The players, while not suiting up for practice, took the day to review film with the coaches and went through a walk through to help them evaluate where they stand and how the practice went overall.

Holtz mentioned to reporters that the Bulls are thinking about moving either Joel Miller, Victor Marc, or even Lindsey Lamar to running back to help add more depth to the position and get those players on the field due to the tremendous depth at wide receiver for the Bulls. This is interesting to think about. The Bulls seem solid with Murray and Scott, Shaw is coming along and Davis and Battles are there as well. Lamar and Miller were running backs before switching to wide receiver last season so they could easily move in and take carries. Marc has been in H-back before, even at quarterback and safety as well so he could slide in as he continues to work hard in camp.

The Bulls will also go through their Bull Olympics, a fan day for the players to get away from the field and get some fun in.

The team will return to work tomorrow with a two-a-day practice. The Bulls are hoping to have Daniels more involved during the practice as well.

Notes From USF Practice - Day 7

Victor Marc continues to shine in practice for the Bulls (Picture: www.gousfbulls.com)

From Greg Auman and Adam Adkins - The Bulls completed their 7 day of practice as they prepare for the season opener, just 22 days away now.

B.J. Daniels was not in pads yesterday as he recovers from the mild hamstring pull he suffered yesterday. He was in good spirits, doing some light throwing with the other quarterbacks and should be fine in a few days (not sure about scrimmage on Saturday).

Kenneth Durden and Ricardo Dixon were on display in the secondary today making nice plays on balls and jumping routes as the secondary depth begins to define itself a bit more.

Andre Davis and Victor Marc continue to catch everything that is thrown their way. Marc has been the biggest surprise so far and really could be a nice weapon once the season starts.

Lindsey Lamar finally got some notice in the passing game, adjusting to balls and moving well. He missed the entire spring and will be a big time weapon once the season starts.

Demetris Murray was doing some throwing drills down the field with the quarterbacks. I highly doubt this is going to be a standard play call for Todd Fitch, but there might be a trick play somewhere down the road and we could look back and see where it developed right here.

Ernie Tabuteau made a nice pick this evening as well. He continues to work hard and is trying to cement himself as a third team member and wants to get on the field.

More notes and news coming out all day tomorrow. Go Bulls!

Top 10 Moments of 2010 Season: Number 8

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.

Top 5 Players From 2010: Number 2

Here are the number players on our top 5 player count down. Yesterday, Matt selected DeDe Lattimore as the number three player while Mike decided to pick Mistral Raymond. Who is number two?

New and Notes - Some Injury Updates

From Adam Adkins - Here are some news and notes from the Skip Holtz press conference after recruiting (some very interesting notes).

Kicker/Punter Mattias Ciabatti has decided to walk onto USF after receiving a scholarship offer from Colgate. Ciabatti will probably redshirt with Bonani and Voss both taking over the kicking positions for the next few seasons.

Offensive lineman Jake Kaufman (6'9" 362-pounds) is expected to miss the Spring practices due to back issues that continue to linger on from last season. This is not a good sign so early in the year. It appears Kaufman is still not a full strength and a lingering injury could creep up on him during the season. The Bulls lack a lot of starting depth on the offensive line so losing a player of his ability could hurt if he is not at full strength by the time Fall roles in.

WR/KR Lindsey Lamar is expected to miss the Spring practices as well as he recovers from minor off-season surgery to his shoulder. The return man of the year in the Big East and one of the Bulls top offensive weapons could have a huge season. The surgery sounds minor and he should be at full strength when he returns to the Fall practices.

Year of the T-Rex?

Terrence Mitchell could have a huge season for the Bulls in 2011. (Picture credits go to www.Bradenton.com)

2011 is the year of the rabbit for the Chinese, but for USF, it could be the year of the dinosaur, I mean of course T-Rex. T-Rex, better known as Terrence Mitchell, is a touchdown waiting to happen on every snap for the Bulls. The speedy freshman gave USF fans a glimpse this season of the bright future ahead.[keep reading]