South Florida enters game three under the Hartline regime 2-0 (1-0) after a dramatic fourth quarter 28-24 comeback win against Army, but this week presents a very different challenge for the Bulls.
Delaware State (2-1) is an FCS opponent led by former NFL wide receiver DeSean Jackson, but the Hornets have already shown they can pound the rock and create havoc defensively. USF must avoid the trap of an emotional letdown after the sensational win in West Point.
5 Keys to Victory: Delaware State vs. USF
1. Start fast and decimate Delaware State’s hope
USF must control the game right out of the gate. Delaware State opened the season by putting up 41 points against Stony Brook and has already shown it can produce explosive offense when given confidence and opportunity.
Coming off the rollercoaster road win over Army, the Bulls cannot run into an offensive stall pattern in the first quarter. An early touchdown and turning a three and out into points would force the Hornets out of the style Jackson wants to play.
2. Force Delaware State to become one dimensional
It’s clear the Hornets want to run the football. They rushed for 255 yards against Stony Brook, 174 yards against William & Mary and 224 yards against Bowie State. Ui Ale and Noah Brannock also give Delaware State some mobility at the quarterback position.
The USF defensive front needs to dominate the trenches on early downs and force Delaware State into obvious passing situations. It’s all about controlling the line of scrimmage.
That also plays directly into defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge’s aggressive defensive philosophy built around blitzes, sacks, tackles for loss, pass breakups and turnovers. High energy bully ball must prevail.
3. Keep Michael Van Buren rolling
Game two looked much more like the offense Bulls fans expected to see. The big push in the second half showed what MVB can do under center.
Michael Van Buren completed 19 of 30 passes (63%) for 239 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding two rushing touchdowns. Van Buren accounted for all four of USF’s touchdowns against the Black Knights. Most importantly, he did it without tossing a single interception.
Now the goal must be progression, not regression.
USF offensive coordinator Tim Beck must continue to give Van Buren opportunities to push the ball downfield, foster the budding chemistry with Joshua Porter and the rest of the receiving corps, and expand the passing game before conference play resumes. There was a massive difference in production when the Bulls started moving the ball through the air, so the wide receiver group must clean up the drops that have plagued the Bulls all season.
4. Protect the pocket, Van Buren
This one deserves some attention.
Delaware State registered seven sacks and 13 tackles for loss against William & Mary. Then against Bowie State, the Hornets compiled three sacks and 7 tackles for loss. This substantiates the Hornets’ ability to wreak havoc in the backfield, regardless of the opponent.
USF cannot allow an FCS defensive front to consistently eat, disrupting Van Buren and putting the Bulls’ offense behind schedule.
USF must clearly communicate protections, establish the run early and punish aggressive pressure with screens, quick throws and explosive plays downfield to keep Delaware State honest.
5. Dominate, grow and avoid injuries
Obviously, winning is the main objective, but this game should also be about building roster experience through meaningful snaps.
If USF can jump out front early, Brian Hartline should have an opportunity to get younger players important playing time, bolster depth and limit unnecessary exposure on key starters.
This will require the starters to dominate early and create significant separation on both sides of the ball.
Zero turnovers. Zero unnecessary penalties. Zero special teams blunders. Zero fourth quarter drama. Pure domination.
USF has already demonstrated that it can win ugly against FIU and win a thriller against Army. This week is the opportunity to show the Bulls can dominate and control a game for 60 minutes.
Start fast on offense, bottle up the run game, let Van Buren cook, protect the quarterback and dominate early.
Delaware State should not be overlooked, especially considering the Hornets’ ability to run the football and generate pressure up front. But, if South Florida shows up with the same level of intensity the Bulls brought late against Army, the talent advantage should be the separator.
This is less about surviving and more about taking another step forward by dominating.