The crowd cheers after the USF Bulls defeated the Temple Owls, achieving bowl eligibility.
The USF Bulls defeated the no. 21 ranked Temple Owls 44–23 at Raymond James Stadium – but that doesn’t tell the whole story.
The lead up to the game was focused on achieving bowl eligibility, playing a ranked team and the chance to potentially play for the conference championship. Many believe this was one of our biggest games in years.
The win moved the Bulls’ record to 6-4, making the team bowl eligible for the first time in five years.
If Temple loses one of their next two games, and if we win out, the Bulls will go to the American Conference Championship game.
Who would’ve thought that could happen? Granted, those are some big “ifs,” but in this season of surprises, I’ll take my chances.
The surging Bulls have won five of their last six games overcoming a 1–3 season start. This team takes a punch and knows how to get right back up.
Temple’s first drive was a time-eating possession that took over half of the first quarter, ultimately ending with a missed field goal. This set the tempo for the defense that bent but did not break all night.
The time of possession was drastically in favor of the Owls, but putting points on the board is what matters – and that’s exactly what the Bulls did.
Quarterback Quinton Flowers played his best game of the year. He came at Temple both ways, his passing was vastly improved and he managed the run game effectively and contributed some big runs himself.
Temple had to defend the entire field and didn’t know where the ball was going. The biggest difference in the game was our overall team speed, which was noticeable on both sides of the ball.
The Owls had no answer.
On offense, our running backs and receivers repeatedly escaped and ran through Temple defenders –the top ranked defense in the American Conference.
Our performance was so dominating that toward the end of the game I was wondering which team was the ranked one.
Sophomore running back Marlon Mack continued his impressive campaign by gaining over 200 yards.
St. Petersburg native Rodney Adams had a huge night receiving with over 140 yards, including a long pass play down the field that tied the game after Temple had scored early.
Adams was part of the overall speed package that had Temple reeling. The Bulls put it all together and fired on all cylinders. This is something we’ve been waiting for all season and it could not have come at a better time.
In the stands, the stadium was rocking. Seeing the impressive student turnout makes me proud to be a Bull.
The student section was full.
Fans stood the entire time, made a lot of noise and had fun. The support for the team is growing rapidly, and the players are noticeably responding. Watching the sidelines, I have never seen the entire team display such enthusiasm. Players had fun while dancing and waving towels.
And their excitement showed on the field.
This upset is another big step in the turnaround of the football program. Can anyone remember the last time we beat a ranked team? I can’t –it goes back beyond my time at USF.
So here we are with one more home game coming up this Friday against the Cincinnati Bearcats. Followed by a trip to “Oh-lando” to play the 0-10 UCF Knights, ending the regular season schedule. I say regular season, because we are going….“Bowling!”
At the games conclusions the field was rushed, and in spite of it being against the rules, Raymond James Stadium authorities kindly allowed it.
That being said, we are quickly getting back to the point where a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment in the stands will be the “norm.”
Student tickets are still free. Come out and support your Bulls!
