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East Carolina offensive coordinator Tony Peterson summoned plays from the vault in an attempt to top the No. 18 South Florida Bulls last Saturday, even calling a Tim Tebow-esk ‘jump pass’ for a second quarter score. The apropos Tebow nod, to the dismay of Peterson and the Pirates, arrived late like a bad blind date. Quinton Flowers already supplanted himself as the state of Florida’s top FBS quarterback career rusher (2,989 yards). After coasting 44 yards to rewrite the history books, Flowers dashed for a 16 yard touchdown on the following play. Two plays, 60 yards, another touchdown and a long standing record shattered.
Today we bring you the first 2017 edition of ‘Bedford’s Bottom Line’ with former USF defensive end and SoFloBulls.com contributor David Bedford. In this week’s Q&A David drops his take on quarterback #Glock9 Quinton Flowers unseating Tim Tebow to become the state of Florida’s top career rushing FBS quarterback (2,989 yards), the Bullshark defense pushing their nation-leading interception total up to 14 with interceptions by linebacker Auggie Sanchez and defensive back Mazzi Wilkins, and brings that HEATTT about the lack of attendance.
Flowers finished with 93 rushing yards on just 10 touches (9.3 yds./car.), punched in the aforementioned rushing touchdown, while also delivering two touchdown passes during his 253 yard performance. The No. 18/15 Bulls improved to 5-0 in AAC road openers, rushed for a season-high 390 yards and totaled 575 total yards to extend the nation’s second-longest active win streak to 10 games, just four wins shy of the Oklahoma Sooners. Did I mention USF is ranked and undefeated? It may be a bumpy coaching transition, but nonetheless on target for the At-Large Bowl berth.
No, I didn’t forget. East Carolina quarterback Thomas Sirk hopped while delivering a 2 yard jump pass touchdown. Be sure to watch the faux Tebow jump pass vs. LSU in 2006 below… P.S. why did Tebow act like he was going to be flagged for traveling? It’s rather hysterical…
Jump pass? Maybe. @ECUPiratesFB TD? Definitely. pic.twitter.com/2rSyTEo7ik
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) September 30, 2017
Tebow’s 2006 Jump Pass vs. LSU:
USF extended its 30-plus point streak to 22 games, one off the AP Poll era record. Saturday evening marked USF’s first 50-point game on the road. The Bulls only mustered a total of 19 points in the first quarters of their first four games combined. USF put up 21 in the first quarter against ECU. D’Ernest Johnson posted his third consecutive 100 yard rushing performance after dashing for a game-high 111 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries in USF’s second-highest scoring game in American Athletic Conference play.
At 5-0, USF has matched the second-best start to a season in program history. The Bulls are one win away from matching the program’s best-ever start (6-0, 2007)….and I was in the stands as a student for the horror that was Ray Rice & Rutgers. The Bulls 61-31 pillaging of the Pirates solidified their highest national ranking since the 2011, a squad that peaked at No. 16. If USF, Charlie Strong jump up just three spots the Bulls will hold their best ranking since the 2008 team ascended to No. 10.
The Bulls eye a saucy victory six Saturday at Raymond James Stadium as incumbent AAC foe Cincinnati travels to Tampa for a homecoming showdown at 7:30PM on ESPNU. Without further ado, I bring you the first 2017 edition of ‘Bedford’s Bottom Line’ Q&A. Enjoy the dialogue and be sure to follow David on Twitter! @OldManBeddy #BeatCinci #SoFloBulls #BedfordsBottomLine
by Matthew Manuri
Publisher & Editor, SoFloBulls.com | @Mcknurkle
📌 Bedford’s Bottom Line Q&A: ECU
1. No. 18/15 USF leads the nation with 14 interceptions after both linebacker Auggie Sanchez and defensive back Mazzi Wilkins snagged picks last Saturday against ECU. The Bulls’ 16 takeaways has them tied with Utah State for the national lead. What is your take on the defensive changes made by Brian Jean-Mary thus far in 2017 and are there any specific keys driving the Bulls success?
❌NO FLY ZONE❌ #USF DB Mazzi Wilkins has been LIGHTS OUT for the Bulls secondary in 2017!🤘🏾🤘🏼 #SoFloBulls (🎥 @Mcknurkle ) @MazziWilkins pic.twitter.com/JmNeJJdNse
— 𝗦𝗼𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘀 (@SoFloBulls) October 6, 2017
🎣‘Ball on automatic start I could hand it to Drake or do a quarterback draw’ #USF LB Auggie Sanchez Pick 6 @ ECU #SoFloBulls (🎥 @Mcknurkle ) pic.twitter.com/JAPLGOiEo7
— 𝗦𝗼𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘀 (@SoFloBulls) October 3, 2017
DB: Dominating on defense at USF has become a top priority once again. Last season the Bulls knew they were able to put up 40 points on anyone, so defense took the backseat. Coach Strong, being the hard-nosed defensive mind that he is, paired with coach Brian Jean-Mary knew priority one must be defense. USF has successfully stuffed the run and eliminated gaping defensive holes allowing the Bulls to get after the passer. It’s a beautiful thing.
2. As a member of arguably one of the best defensive units in program history (2008-2010), how impressed are you with the play of senior defensive tackles Bruce Hector and Deadrin Senat? And is there a better story than former walk-on defensive end Greg Reaves earning a scholarship in fall camp, then showing out as a disruptive sack savage?
DB: I played with some of the best USF defenders of all time: George Selvie, JPP, Dancing Bear, Craig Marshall, Jerome Murphy, etc. I can recognize similar traits in the current guys today. Bruce Hector has improved each year during his time at USF, and may just be the best pass rusher on the line. Big Deadrin Senat is as relentless and stout as any defensive tackle in the country, when he isn’t getting ejected for targeting….. it’s a joke. I am so happy for Greg Reaves, you always like to see guys get rewarded for their hard work. During my time at USF I had a few brothers earn scholarships, you’re always so proud of them because you literally watch them put in the daily work that no one else ever would.
3. WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling ignited the afterburners and torched ECU for a 75 yard touchdown run on a jet sweep last Saturday. #Interstate11 also pulled down six passes for 94 yards and hauled in a 14 yard touchdown courtesy of quarterback Quinton Flowers to help the Bulls move to 5-0 (2-0).
Flowers added this about the St. Petersburg native’s performance during the post-game press conference, “I always told him, ‘Valdes, you’ve got to be a dude’. Today, he showed it. He’s one of those dudes that can play.”
What are your thoughts on the leadership exhibited by Flowers and the effect he has on the entire team?
🤙🏾 'Lift off, takin' my coat off, showin' my tattoos' WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling 75 yard TD run @ ECU #SoFloBulls (🎬 @Mcknurkle ) @MVS__11 pic.twitter.com/t8fy700pTn
— 𝗦𝗼𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘀 (@SoFloBulls) October 2, 2017
DB: #Interstate11 has had a bit of a slower start then I anticipated but he seems to be picking up more steam each week. I was very pleased to see the jet sweep called again, I thought we had lost it with Rodney “#HeGone” Adams departure to the NFL (Minnesota Vikings). The jet sweep has been one the Bulls’ most explosive plays and should be in the game plan every single week. Q [Quinton Flowers] doesn’t surprise me anymore, especially when it comes to leadership. That young man has been through more than any one person should have to go through in a lifetime, period. Flowers’ proves every single week why he’s one of the greatest USF Bulls of ALL-TIME…
📌 Bedford’s Bottom Line
DB: AI said it before the season even started: There isn’t an executable excuse to not have your butt in a seat this season at Ray Jay, none. You have one of the most exciting and explosive players in all of college football under center. You have a talented, Top 25 football team. You have one of the best head coaches and coaching staffs in the nation. Why aren’t you showing some love? I am sincerely disappointed with the nonexistent attendance this season. We are riding high at USF right now. Just a few years back we were lucky to win a few games a season. Our Bulls are undefeated, ranked No. 18/16, and deserve our support! GET DOWN TO RAY JAY AND CHEER ON OUR BULLS! #58.
USF Athletics: USF vs. ECU Highlights 2017
AAC: USF vs. ECU Highlights 2017
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