Offense
The offense was once again South Florida’s biggest issue, and offensive coordinator Tim Beck’s playcalling deserves plenty of criticism. The Bulls managed just 108 yards and five first downs in the first half, with too many predictable calls and not enough creativity to keep the offense moving consistently.
That said, there were some positives. Quarterback Michael Van Buren showed flashes, and USF put together an excellent 14-play, 75-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter. The Bulls mixed in a couple of passes here and there with their ground attack, but ultimately struggled to sustain most drives. Running Back D.J. Crowther also continued to grind out tough yards despite Temple making it difficult to establish the run.
The problem is that those stretches were far too few and far between. After tying the game, USF’s offense largely disappeared again and managed only a field goal the rest of the way.
What makes it more frustrating is that we’ve seen this offense move the ball when Beck actually opened things up. Following the aforementioned 75-yard drive in the third quarter, Beck seemingly went right back to the same stagnant approach.
USF finished with 13 points. Against Temple. At Home.
At some point, it cannot continually be blamed on player execution. When the same offensive problems keep showing up, the guy calling the plays has to answer for it. The Bulls have too many weapons and far too much talent for the offense to look this unimaginative. South Florida does not need Beck to reinvent the game of football, but they need him to head back to the drawing board and see where adjustments can be made.
Defense
The defense was good enough to win this game. South Florida held Temple to 274 total yards and 17 points, with linebacker Grayson “Pup” Howard leading the Bulls with nine tackles, and defensive end C.J. Hicks made a huge fumble recovery in the end zone. Howard also recorded a tackle for loss, while Hicks totaled seven tackles on the day.
The problem was the one drive that mattered most. With USF leading 13-10, Temple marched 96 yards for the go-ahead touchdown, including a deflating 34-yard run on 3rd and 7.
Overall, the defense played well. The offense gave them almost no margin for error, and Beck’s inability to consistently keep the offense in rhythm ultimately helped turn a very winnable game into a disappointing loss.
What’s Next?
Short week for the Bulls. They’re headed to San Antonio, Texas, to take on the UTSA Roadrunner on Thursday, October 8th, at 7:30 PM EST on ESPN.
Will the Bulls get embarrassed on national television? Geez, I hope not.
If USF wants to leave Texas with a victory, significant adjustments need to be made on offense.
Go Bulls!