TAMPA, NOV. 23, 2019 – True freshman Kelley Joiner Jr., who showed glimpses of greatness in several games this season, posted his first career 100+ yard rushing game after getting his first start following injuries to both Jordan Cronkrite and Trevon Sands. Joiner led the Bulls with 115 yards on the ground on 13 carries (8.8 ypc), which included a 47 yard dash in the first quarter.
“The thing about him, he’s so small and quick, but he’s fast enough where he can run away from people. I’m just very pleased to see his performance. You look at tonight, he’s a freshman and played well. (Daquan Evans) got the interception, he’s a freshman. You have so much young talent out there on that field. It was just great to (Joiner) go out and play as well as he played, being his first start.”
~ Charlie Strong on Kelley Joiner
Unfortunately the young Bulls’ career day wasn’t enough to lift USF (4-7, 2-5) over No. 18 Memphis (10-1, 6-1), as the Bulls fell to the Tigers 49-10. With the loss, USF’s streak of four consecutive bowl appearances comes to an end.
“You got to give their team credit. We didn’t play well,” USF coach Charlie Strong said. “When you go out there and we play a good team like Memphis, we knew that all three phases had to play together, just knowing who they are, what they’ve done and how they’ve played the whole season.”
The Tiger’s offense outgained USF 560 yards to a mere 170, including a 325-126 rushing differential. USF mustered just 44 passing yards in the contest, only scoring three points from two interceptions by KJ Sails and Daquan Evans.
The Bulls have lost three straight after playing their way into a position to become bowl eligible following an awful 1-3 start, which included the 49-0 drubbing at the hands of the Wisconsin Badgers to open the 2019 season. USF is now 0-6 against ranked teams during the Charlie Strong era, who sports a lackluster 21-15 record over his three seasons in Tampa.
We sincerely hope you enjoy flipping through the handpicked photos by David Gold. This week the Bulls on the road for the annual #WarOnI4 clash against UCF on Black Friday, November 29th at 8 p.m. on ESPN. We’re hoping the Bulls end the season right with a big time W at the erector set against Oviedo State CC!! #BeatUCF
Tigers vs. Bulls 2019 Key Stats
560 – Memphis totaled 560 yards, including 325 on the ground.
115 – Freshman Kelley Joiner Jr. posted 115 rushing yards in his first career 100-yard game.
6 – USF completed only 6 of 19 passing attempts.
24 – USF has 24 takeaways in 2019, after coming into tied for third nationally in turnovers gained.
4 – Freshman Kelley Joiner Jr. put together USF’s fourth 100-yard rushing performance of the season. (Jordan Cronkrite, 3).
464 – Junior Trent Schneider set a USF single-game record with 464 punting yards on nine attempts (51.6 ypp).
All photos are courtesy of our photographer David Gold, Stephanie Manuri and Matthew Manuri so please respectfully enjoy our hard work, but kindly tag us on Instagram (@soflobulls), Facebook (@SoFloBulls), and Twitter (@SoFloBulls).
All media requests must be made directly to Matthew Manuri (soflobulls@gmail.com).
⫻ Preview: 2019 USF Football Memphis Photo Album ⫻
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