The Bulls’ lackluster play continued as they dropped their eighth game of the season in a 27-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats. The loss marks the first eight-loss season in the history of the USF football program. The Bulls managed only 306 yards and lost two fumbles, setting them up to stumble toward the finish line next week against the Pittsburgh Panthers.
Third string quarterback Matt Floyd started for the first time in his career against the Bearcats. Injuries to B.J. Daniels and backup Bobby Eveld made Floyd the third different starter in the Bulls’ last three games. Floyd didn’t come in completely cold, having played during the loss last week to the Miami Hurricanes. Against Miami, Floyd replaced the injured Eveld but could not orchestrate a scoring drive as the Bulls lost 40-9.
Against Cincinnati, Floyd struggled to find his rhythm early. He completed just five of 15 passes in the first half for 47 yards. He also fumbled five snaps the Bulls were able to recover. Floyd has had trouble this season with the simple exchange between center and quarterback.
Floyd and the offense struggled sustaining drives down the field during the first half, getting past the 50-yard line only once and never inside the Cincinnati 30-yard line. The Bulls were forced to rely on the defense to stay in the game.
It didn’t help much. The Bearcats weren’t slowed by the Bulls defenders. Quarterback Brandon Kay ran for an 18-yard touchdown and threw for another score to tight end Travis Kelce to give Cincinnati a 13-0 halftime lead.
The Bulls defense did manage to keep the score close and give the offense a chance to make it a game. The Bulls drove inside the Cincinnati 10-yard line in the third quarter with a chance to cut the lead in half but settled for a field goal from Maikon Bonani.
The missed opportunity was USF’s last. The Bearcats scored another 14 points to put the game out of reach. George Winn rushed for both Bearcat touchdowns in the second half. The two scores capped off a 119 rushing yard day for the senior running back.
Down 27-3, USF finally found some success. Demetris Murray ran in a touchdown from five yards out with 7:19 left in the fourth quarter. The score capped of a 12-play, 73-yard drive—the Bulls’ best of the day.
Andre Davis was missing in action again against Cincinnati. The Bulls’ biggest offensive threat hasn’t scored since Oct. 27 against Syracuse and has only one 100-yard receiving game this season, a 191-yard school-record breaking effort against Nevada on Sept. 8.
In a season that can only be defined as lackluster, the Bulls reach another disappointing milestone. Their first eight-loss season. If the Bulls lose to Pitt next week they would tie their worst Big East record since joining in 2005.
Samantha Ouimette is the sports editor of The Crow’s Nest. She can be reached at sports@crowsneststpete.com.
