With the start of the USF Football season just days away, it is time to focus on the Bulls’ most recently scheduled opponents. Since August, multiple NCAA football teams and conferences have cancelled their respective seasons in response to the rising amount of Covid-19 cases in the United States. Most notably, the PAC-12 and Big Ten ended their seasons leaving their opponents with openings on the schedules.
On September 5th, the Bulls were originally scheduled to take on the Texas Longhorns in Austin, Texas at Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium. With concerns about traveling and other team logistics, the Longhorns ultimately chose to cancel the game.
With the cancellation of the Bulls’ season opener, their total amount of games dropped from 12 to 11.
For the USF home opener on September 12th, the Bulls were supposed to face off against the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman, a member of the Division 1 FCS conference, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). In mid-July, the MEAC chose to suspend all of football for the 2020-21 season. With the MEAC opting for no football, the Bulls were down 10 games for this season.
Already with two cancellations, the Bulls unfortunately could not catch a break. At the beginning of August, the Mountain West Conference decided to cancel the 2020 fall football season, a result of Covid-19 concerns. The MWC is home to the Nevada Wolf Pack, USF’s scheduled opponent for a game in Reno, Nevada at Mackay Stadium.
The last time the Bulls faced off against Nevada, in 2012, they were victorious. Former USF QB, B.J. Daniels, threw a touchdown to Former Wide Receiver, Andre Davis, with 38 seconds remaining en route to a 32-31 come-from-behind win. But, fast forward to 2020, USF just lost its third football opponent.
What’s In Store For the Bulls?
With a season left with only nine games, USF Vice President of Athletics/Athletic Director, Michael Kelly, formerly a Senior Executive of the College Football Playoff, knew he had to “pull some strings” to schedule new teams to fill in for those opting to move on without a 2020 season.
Scheduled for September 12th, the Bulls’ home opener, South Florida will now be facing off against The Citadel at Raymond James Stadium. The Bulldogs are a member of Southern Conference within the NCAA Division 1 FCS Subdivision. The Bulls’ 1 P.M. matchup with The Citadel will be the first look at the “Jeff Scott Era” as he coaches his first ever game as South Florida’s Head Coach.
Bulls, Fighting Irish Renew Series
On September 19th, the Bulls will now take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in South Bend, Indiana. Entering the season, the Fighting Irish are listed as College Football’s 10th best team in the country. Facing off against one of America’s toughest teams will take a lot of strength and courage from the South Florida Bulls.
The Bulls previously came across the Fighting Irish in a 2011 matchup. South Florida upset #16 Notre Dame 23-20 and left South Bend with all the glory. Not only will the Bulls see the Fighting Irish in 2020, VP of Athletics, Michael Kelly has agreed to a 3-game series with Notre Dame. The subsequent games have yet to be announced.
After adding The Citadel and Notre Dame to the 2020 schedule, USF will aim to play 11 games, assuming Covid-19 cases do not begin to surge once again.
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