TAMPA, NOV. 29, 2019 – Standout linebacker Dwayne Boyles led the Bulls’ defensive unit this season in total tackles with 75 (48 solo), 12.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, two pass b breakups, and a quarterback hurry.
“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 (4-8, 2-6) over UCF (9-3, 6-2), as the Bulls fell to the Knights 34-7. With the loss to No. 18 Memphis a week ago, USF’s streak of four consecutive bowl appearances sadly comes to an end.
The Knight’s offense outgained USF 539 yards to 250, including a 307-116 passing differential. USF mustered just 134 rushing yards in the contest, only breaking the plane once via running back Johnny Ford’s one yard touchdown run.
The Bulls lost four straight games 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 21-16 record over his three seasons in Tampa.
The 17 Bulls graduating were part of four consecutive bowl games and the winningest four year stretch in USF program history, going 36-15 from 2015 to 2018. The senior class includes TE Mitchell Wilcox, RB Jordan Cronkrite, RT Marcus Norman, RG William Atterbury, QB Blake Barnett, DE Greg Reaves, DE Kirk Livingstone, LB Patrick Macon, S Devin Studstill, DE Darius Slade, WR Stanley Clerveaux, RB Trevon Sands, OL Hal Roberson, OL Matt Nelson, WR Kyle Trina, LB Nico Sawtelle, and LB Trent Shaw.
eWe sincerely believe you will enjoy flipping through the handpicked photos by David Gold, regardless of the game’s final outcome. We’ve done our absolute best to bring our followers the best USF photos, videos and coverage in the game, so we sincerely hope you have enjoyed our coverage this season.
Bulls vs. Knights 2019 Key Stats
539 – USF gave up 539 yards while the Bulls’ defense was on the field for 82 plays.
24 – UCF seized the momentum by jumping out to a 24-0 lead by halftime.
3 – USF’s offense was hampered by three turnovers.
1 – USF’s War On I-4 advantage dropped to just one game all-time against UCF, now 6-5. UCF has won the last three games.
46 – Junior Trent Schneider set USF single-season program records by averaging 46.0 yards per punt and total punt yards of 3,266.
1,326 – Star TE Mitchell Wilcox’s 1,326 receiving yards ranks 10th all-time in USF program history.
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 Central Florida Photo Album ⫻
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