In his second year as the University of South Florida head football coach, Willie Taggart and his staff are mixing up the offense and defense.
The Bulls seek to improve from the disappointing 2013 season where they finished the season on a six-game losing streak for a 2-10 record.
Sophomore quarterback Mike White will open the season under center after beating out the junior QB, Steven Bench, for the starting position.
“I think as a staff, we all felt that was the best thing,” Taggart said. “I expect him to make plays. Big plays. I expect him to throw touchdowns and to take care of the football.”
Taggart said he wants White to lead the football team and to hold other players accountable.
White led the Bulls offense in the final five games last season and finished the year with 1,083 total passing yards, 3 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.
The Bulls’ offense averaged 13.8 points per game last season and ranked 123rd in “points for” within the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
Along with the starting QB being announced, the players elected wide receiver Andre Davis, linebacker Reshard Cliett, and placekicker Marvin Kloss as the team’s captains.
“I think it says a lot,” Taggart said. “Especially when we as coaches don’t have any influence on who gets picked. It’s all about your peers. I can tell those guys were excited. It’s big time.”
Coincidentally, while coaching at Western Kentucky University, Taggart’s first year as head coach also ended with a 2-10 record, but was followed with back-to-back 7-5 seasons before accepting the job at USF.
Taggart and his staff have recruited within the state of Florida during his short tenure with the Bulls and rank 40th nationally in 2014 and first within the American Athletics Conference.
The Bulls have 16 starters returning to the team this season; four of which are on the defensive side of the ball. After losing their star defensive end, Aaron Lynch, to the NFL draft, the defense is changing from their traditional 4-3 defense to a 3-4 due to the fact the Bulls allowed 28.6 points per game, which ranked 76 overall in the FBS.
Senior LB Cliett emphasized his excitement for the Bulls’ defense to start the season.
“We’re ready to hit guys,” Cliett said. “We’re ready to hit guys. We’re ready to hit guys.”
The change will allow the linebackers to run into gaps easier without having to go through additional blockers. This scheme also allows defenders to roam the field more.
The Bulls look to start fresh Aug. 30 when they play their season opener against Western Carolina at home under the Saturday night lights of Raymond James Stadium at 7 p.m.
“It’s very important to get the student out here,” Davis said. “We have to get back to getting all of our students out here and getting the stadium field and the student section filled because I feel that’ll make the players play much harder. We feel like we have to play for the school, play for USF, and play for our students because thats where our support system is.”
After the season opener, the Bulls will stay at home for three more consecutive games. They will be tested early and will be showcased on ESPN Sept. 19, at home, against Connecticut for the nation to see their improvement.
“There’s gonna be some tough times,” Taggart said. “Some adversity is gonna come and we have to be ready for that. “That’s the only thing as a staff we’re wondering. That’s the one big question out there.”
