The Jeff Scott Era has officially begun. In an empty Raymond James Stadium, the South Florida Bulls took on The Citadel. Behind a strong offensive and defensive outing, as well as a fantastic Special Teams performance, the Bulls put on quite the show in their first game en route to a 27-6 victory.
To start off what will go down as the Bulls’ 18th season opener win, Defensive Tackle Rashawn Yates forced a fumble which was recovered by Mike Hampton.
Mike Hampton picks up a fumble recovery.
USF taking over in its own territory around midfield.
— USF Oracle Sports (@USFOracleSports) September 12, 2020
On USF’s second offensive possession, Quarterback Jordan McCloud threw a 10-yard back of the endzone pass to Wide Receiver DeVontres Odoms-Dukes for the Bulls’ first score of the 2020 season.
DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUKES‼️@Jordan_McCloud3 connects with DeVontres Odoms-Dukes in the back of the end zone for 6️⃣.#US2F🤘 pic.twitter.com/qrcNiSSKPm
— USF Football (@USFFootball) September 12, 2020
With just under seven minutes remaining in the second quarter, The Citadel was forced to punt out of their own endzone. The Citadel’s punter could not get a grip on the ball after it was snapped, which resulted in a kick that landed in the hands of freshman Wide Receiver, Omarion Dollison. Dollison’s catch on the botched punt resulted in his first touchdown as a Bull and tied the NCAA record for the shortest punt return touchdown which is zero yards.
On the Bulls’ following drive, Running Back Johnny Ford weaved through traffic on his way to a 43-yard rush. Two plays later, Alcorn State Quarterback transfer, Noah Johnson, ran for a 9-yard score. The touchdown became the Tampa-native’s first ever score as a Bull.
JOHNNY FORD @_jdf1 pic.twitter.com/B5vMIoCJlb
— 𝗦𝗼𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘀 (@SoFloBulls_) September 13, 2020
Late in the Fourth Quarter, the Bulls held a 20-6 lead over the Bulldogs. Kelley Joiner Jr. capped off the night’s scoring barrage with a 3-yard rush to put South Florida ahead 27-6.
KELLEY JOINER BABY
— 𝗦𝗼𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘀 (@SoFloBulls_) September 13, 2020
On The Citadel’s final possession of the game, Mekhi LaPointe of USF intercepted the pass and sealed the win for the Bulls.
On the Offensive side of the ball, Jordan McCloud completed 11-16 passes for a total of 68 yards and a touchdown. Kelley Joiner Jr. finished his night with 8 carries and 87 yards to go along with a touchdown. He averaged 10.9 yards/carry. Freshman gunslinger, Katravis Marsh, made his College Football debut tonight as well completing 4-5 passes for 10 yards.
On the Defensive side, Antonio Grier lead the defense with 10 tackles, a sack, and a tackle for loss. In his debut as a Bull, Wofford transfer, Thad Mangum, recorded 9 tackles as well as a tackle for loss.
Ray Guy Award candidate, Trent Schneider, managed to pin The Citadel inside its own 20-yard line on three out of four punts during the game.
Next up for South Florida is the Notre Dame Fighting Irish when they travel to South Bend, Indiana for their Sept. 19 matchup.