The South Florida Bulls (1-5, 0-4) hosted the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (2-1, 2-0) in a primetime matchup under the lights of Raymond James Stadium. As the Bulls lost their fifth game consecutively, it’s time to reflect on the outcome of the game and what went down in Tampa.
To start off the game, Quarterback Jordan McCloud led the Bulls’ offense. In his time as the gunslinger against Tulsa, McCloud only completed two of seven pass attempts for an underwhelming grand total of eight yards through the air.
Eventually, Noah Johnson took over at quarterback. Through multiple stints throughout the game, Johnson completed 18 of 27 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown. Johnson was not the last quarterback to make an appearance, as Jeff Scott played a never ending game of quarterback musical chairs (Russian Roulette). USF was constantly rotating their gunslingers throughout the game.
Noah Johnson enters the game at QB
— 𝗦𝗼𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘀 (@SoFloBulls_) October 24, 2020
Cade Fortin was the third and final quarterback that Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. used against the Golden Hurricane. Fortin completed two of his two passing attempts for a total of 25 yards. Fortin also led the Bulls in rushing yards gathering 39 on the ground on four carries.
Cade Fortin in the game for USF. QB #3 for the Bulls tonight
— 𝗦𝗼𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘀 (@SoFloBulls_) October 24, 2020
In the Third Quarter, Fortin broke off an explosive 33 yard run, the Bulls’ longest run of the entire game.
One of the few bright spots in the game was true freshman wide receiver Omarion Dollison. Dollison hauled in six passes for 54 yards on the night. Despite failing to find the endzone as much as they envisioned, Dollison kept the Bulls’ offense on the field by averaging nine yards per catch Friday night.
Jeff Scott knows one thing for sure, Omarion Dollison is going to do big things for USF #TNSF 🤘 pic.twitter.com/p3JjyX4OLu
— 𝗦𝗼𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘀 (@SoFloBulls_) October 24, 2020
The Bulls’ Special Teams unit was also a bright spot. Tampa native Terrence Horne Jr. racked up 51 yards on two kick returns, but the highlight of the entire game was K.J. Sails’ electric 60 yard punt return. Sails bobbed and weaved through numerous Tulsa defenders, nearly punching it in for six.
The difference maker in USF’s embarrassing loss: turnovers. Johnny Ford and Noah Johnson each coughed up the rock, losing possession each time. Additionally, Johnson threw an interception Tulsa returned for a touchdown in the third quarter. Remove the costly turnovers and the Bulls could have kept themselves in the game, maybe even with a shot of taking the victory down the stretch.
Two more bright moments happened against Tulsa. Wide Receiver Bryce Miller caught a 4 yard touchdown on a pass from Noah Johnson.
Great play call there by Weis Jr. Good ball by Johnson to Miller. Tulsa up 21-13 with 8:43 left in the 3rd
— 𝗦𝗼𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘀 (@SoFloBulls_) October 24, 2020
Defensive back Daquan Evans picked off Tulsa Quarterback Zach Smith and returned it 31 yards. Evans now has two interceptions in 2020 and without a doubt will be a staple in the USF secondary moving forward.
USF DB Daquan Evans’ interception! His second in as many games 🤘 pic.twitter.com/HJuhPsi3x1
— 𝗦𝗼𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘀 (@SoFloBulls_) October 24, 2020
Next up for South Florida is the Houston Cougars. The Bulls will travel to H-TOWN looking for the first conference win of 2020 on Nov. 14 at TDECU stadium. Between now and next week, USF will have to make sizable improvements on both sides of the ball in order to compete.
Win or lose it’s always GO Bulls!! 🤘 #US2F #TNSF #SoFloDrip pic.twitter.com/7knifnukhW
— 𝗦𝗼𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘀 (@SoFloBulls_) October 24, 2020