TAMPA, OCT. 12, 2019 – Senior running back Jordan Cronkrite dashed for 158 yards on 26 carries (6.1) and two touchdowns, including what would become the score that sealed the win with 7:37 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Bulls defense not only showed out, racking up 13 tackles for loss, six sacks and two key fourth down stops, but sealed the 27-23 homecoming victory over the Cougars at Raymond James Stadium
Sophomore linebacker Antonio Grier set a career high with two sacks, his second coming in clutch fashion as BYU was in a third-and-10 situation from the USF 12 on the final drive. Sophomore linebacker Dwayne Boyles totaled 2.5 of USF’s season high-tying13 tackles for loss and one of the Bulls’ season-high six sacks, the most since 2012. USF has tallied at least 10 tackles for loss in four straight games and has 11 sacks in the past two outings.
“He’s [Cronkrite] an outstanding player. I think the first three games he had like 25 total yards. The last two, he’s really had breakout games… He said tonight, ‘Just give me the ball, coach’. I was just so happy for Jordan because he was able to put together two games back-to-back now.”
~ Charlie Strong on Cronkrite’s 2nd 100+ yard game
Junior Trent Schneider shattered his own USF single-game best as a Bull, averaging of 52.8 yards per punt, which included a BOOMING 61-yarder that pinned BYU at its own 26 to start the Cougar’s final drive in the fourth.
BYU took an early 3-0 lead, but the USF defense did lots of damage in the opening quarter with 6.0 tackles for loss and four sacks by four different players – Grier, Boyles, Greg Reaves and Rashawn Yates. USF totaled 7.0 tackles for loss in the opening half.
After BYU pushed the deficit to 13-0 Jordan McCloud orchestrated an 86-yard scoring drive, capped by an ELITE 39 yard touchdown catch by stud tight end Mitchell Wilcox. The senior tight end leads the Bulls in touchdown receptions this season (4) and is tied for the ninth spot in program history (10). Wilcox finished the contest with two catches for 52 yards, but was a beast blocking as usual.
Vincent Davis Jr. recovered a fumble on a botched Cougars punt attempt at the BYU 23, which led to McCloud’s 2-yard touchdown run, pushing the score to 23-21 with 14:57 on the game clock. Next, BYU missed a field goal and the Bulls’ offense capitalized via Jordan Cronkrite’s 3-yard touchdown. The touchdown locked up Cronkrite’s second consecutive 100-yard rushing performance after gashing UConn for 148 the previous week.
BYU marched all the way down to the USF 8 on the next drive before the Bulls came up with a huge stop on fourth-and-7 from the 10. USF took over with 1:36 to play and, following three running plays, Schneider’s 61-yard punt pushed the Cougars back to their own 26 with 1:09 remaining. BYU got down to the Bulls’ 12 on the final drive of the game, but USF held firm behind Antonio Grier’s clutch third-and-10 sack before Devin Studstill’s pass breakup iced the game while Bulls Nation prayed.
We sincerely hope you enjoy flipping through the handpicked photos by David Gold. This week the Bulls are back home to host AAC foe Temple on Thursday, November 7th at 8 p.m. in front of a national audience on ESPN.. let’s get this W boys!! #BeatTemple
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Key Stats
243 – USF’s rushing yards total, which accounted for 77 percent of the Bulls’ 315 total yards of offense.
158 – The rushing yardage total for Jordan Cronkrite, who posted 100-yard performances in consecutive games.
13 – USF’s defense totaled 13 tackles for loss, marking the fourth straight game the Bulls have finished with at least 10.
6 – USF registered a season-high six sacks, which marked the Bulls’ most since totaling six against Chattanooga on Sept. 1, 2012.
52.8 – Trent Schneider’s program record punting average after his 61-yard boot down to the BYU 26 prior to the final drive of the game.
15 – Vincent Davis’ fumble recovery late in the third quarter marked USF’s 15th takeaway and ninth fumble recovery of the season.
⫻ Preview: 2019 USF Football Brigham Young Photo Album ⫻
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