If someone said South Florida wouldn’t roll over McNeese St. in the same way schools like Florida and Ohio St. destroy FCS schools in week one they wouldn’t have been far off. Last season, the Bulls struggled in beating Tennessee-Chatanooga. But the idea they would be down 33-7 after 30 minutes would never have gotten a second thought.
With all the hype surrounding the arrival of Willie Taggart in Tampa the rebuilding Bulls were expected to start 2013 on a positive note. Saturday night was anything but that as the Bulls lost 53-21. The loss marks the most points by a BCS school given up to a FCS team.
“It was a piss poor effort,” Taggart said after the game. “I want to apologize to Bulls nation for that performance.”
From the start it looked as if the Bulls were going to have no problem with the McNeese St. Cowboys. The Bulls forced a punt and the first offensive play of the game for the Bulls was an 80-yard touchdown run by Marcus Shaw. That was the high point of the first half for USF.
Shaw proved to be the lone bright spot for the Bulls offense. After his 80-yard run, Shaw rushed for 65 yards on 11 carries. His last 11 rushes were an average of 5.9 yards per carry.
Minutes after the Shaw’s run, USF’s first punt attempt resulted in a safety for McNeese St. The snap to punter Mattias Ciabatti sailed over his head. Risking a touchdown, Ciabatti kicked the ball out the back of the end zone giving the Cowboys two points.
In the second quarter the Cowboys rattled off 31 unanswered points. Kevin Bennett and Dylan Long both broke seven yard runs for scores. Cowboys’ kicker Jean Breaux added a field goal while quarterback Cody Stroud connected on a 22 yard touchdown pass.
McNeese St.’s Guy Morgan capped off the explosive second quarter with a 76 yard interception return with 12 seconds. The score gave the Cowboys a 26-point lead. A chorus of boos from the roughlt 20,000 fans in attendance greeted the Bulls as they left the field.
Matt Floyd, who was named the starter, a week before the game did not have a good night. He went 9 for 20, good for only 72 yards. Floyd also threw the interceptions, the second interception came on the first drive of the second half and ended Floyd’s night.
At the start of the Bulls, next offensive possession senior Bobby Eveld replaced Floyd as the crowd let out a sarcastic applause of approval. Eveld instantly fared better than Floyd throwing a 59-yard touchdown pass to Stephen Bravo-Brown.
Eveld would connect with Andre Davis for another touchdown early in the fourth quarter but The Cowboys’ lead was too big to overcome for USF. Eveld, who will now compete with Floyd for the starting job, went 10 for 20, throwing for 137 yards and no interceptions.
In the second half, Stroud connected with receiver Nic Jacobs for the second time for a 78-yard touchdown pass. Stroud finished the night with 207 yads passing and a pair of touchdowns.
McNeese St.’s scoring was capped off by a second touchdown run by Long and kicker Ryan Rome booted three field goals in the win.
The Bulls only took three penalties in the loss but one negated a touchdown pass.
The loss marks the first time in program history that the Bulls have lost a home opener at Raymond James Stadium. USF plays on the road against Michigan State next week before hosting Florida Atlantic on Sept. 14.
Featured image contributed by Thomas Boyd.
