Entering Thursday’s matchup against the N.C. State Wolfpack, the South Florida Bulls were 1-8 in the Jeff Scott coaching era. After falling to the Wolfpack by a score of 45-0, the Bulls are now 1-9 under Scott with zero FBS wins with their only win being against The Citadel of the FCS.
Despite being held scoreless at Carter-Finley Stadium, let’s take a look at some of the positive takeaways for USF.
Timmy McClain
Quarterback Timmy McClain, recent graduate of State Champion Sanford High School, was trusted to step in for starting Quarterback, Cade Fortin. Bulls fans were shocked to see McClain enter the game ahead of Univ. of Miami transfer, Jarren Williams, who did not appear in the game. In a Quarter and a half, Fortin could not get anything going for the Bulls which was the reasoning for McClain having to step in.
IT’S TIMMY MCCLAIN SZN!
— SoFloBulls (@SoFloBulls_) September 3, 2021
In his College Football debut, McClain completed 7-13 of his passes for 126 yards and two interceptions. He also ran the ball four times for 16 yards.
Despite the game not going in favor of the Bulls, McClain’s savviness and athleticism gave USF fans flashbacks of former Bulls’ legendary Quarterback, Quinton Flowers. McClain currently wears Flowers’ #9 jersey, which makes it pretty hard to not think of Flowers when he was in his prime as a Bull.
Xavier Weaver
Wide Receiver Xavier Weaver was one of USF’s few bright spots in the Week 1 opener. He lead the Bulls with two catches for 73 yards. Though the Bulls’ offense could not get much going, Weaver brought life to the game.
XAVIER WEAVER COME GET SOME!
— SoFloBulls (@SoFloBulls_) September 3, 2021
Regardless of who is at Quarterback for USF, it is safe to say that Weaver is going to continue to be a gamechanger week after week.
The Defense
Straight out of the gate, the Bulls’ Defense was holding up—but that’s about it, just holding up.
With the Offense getting stunned the entire game, the defense grew tired due to the extensive amount of time they spent on the field. Safety Matthew Hill gave the Bulls a little hope defensively when he intercepted N.C. State QB Devin Leary. Despite returning the interception 27 yards, the USF Offense’s drive ultimately ended at the Wolfpack 34-yard line.
Matthew Hill with the pic baby pic.twitter.com/Ww6v1EGDH9
— SoFloBulls (@SoFloBulls_) September 3, 2021
The Bulls’ leader on the defensive-side of the ball was Linebacker Andrew Mims.
CLB = Certified LineBacker🔥 Player of the Game for Week 1 goes to @mimzy3347 pic.twitter.com/nS5oddLgEE
— SoFloBulls (@SoFloBulls_) September 3, 2021
With the overall rough performance by South Florida, Mims ended the game with 14 total tackles, his career high. Mims went to work, and there is nothing else to it.
Additional Standouts
On Offense, Running Back Jaren Mangham carried the ball five times for 26 yards. Also, Tight End Mitchell Brinkman hauled in two catches for 35 yards.
Defensively, Linebacker Antonio Grier racked up eight total tackles, one tackle for loss, and one sack. Linebacker Dwayne Boyles, Defensive Backs Daquan Evans and Mekhi LaPointe, and Safety Matthew Hill each had seven tackles as well.
Also, shoutout to Punter Andrew Stokes who punted eight times for a total of 361 yards (45.1 yards/punt) with his longest being 66 yards.
Where can I get my Andrew Stokes jersey?
— StateOfTheUSF (@StateoftheUSF) September 3, 2021
Up Next
Next for the South Florida Bulls is their game on Sept. 11th when the Florida Gators make their trip to Tampa.
Can’t wait for September 11th and returning to the press box/stands against the Gators!! 🤘 #US2F #USFBullies
— SoFloBulls (@SoFloBulls_) September 4, 2021