Photo courtesy of usffootball on Instagram
By Dominic Feo
The University of South Florida’s run game was unstoppable in a 59-24 win over Charlotte University.
The Bulls return to an even record at 5-5, and now only need to win one of their final two games to become eligible for a bowl game. Charlotte’s bowl-game aspirations were crushed as they fell to 3-7.
USF’s offense ran for a program-record 425 yards, and a season-high six rushing touchdowns.
Although multiple rushers had standout performances, running back Kelley Joiner stole the show. The sixth-year senior rushed for 140 yards, two touchdowns and 15.6 yards per carry.
USF’s offense started this game the same way it did last week, with quarterback Bryce Archie throwing an interception on his first drive. A 6-yard rushing touchdown by running back Cartevious Norton put the Niners up 7-0 early.
The comparisons with last week stopped there.
During the Bulls next drive, Archie kept the ball on an option play and ran it for 20 yards on fourth down. The clutch play set up a 16-yard touchdown run by running back Ta’Ron Keith.
Charlotte kicked a 50-yard field goal to go up 10-7 early in the second quarter. Running back Nay’Quan Wright helped USF take back the lead, catching a 44-yard pass and running in a 6-yard touchdown a play later.
Coming out of halftime, the Bulls kept their foot on the gas.
Joiner broke off a 54-yard carry for a touchdown to put the team up 21-10. Charlotte answered back with another touchdown run by Norton.
From there, the rest of the third quarter belonged to USF.
After a 34-yard catch by tight end Payten Singletary and a pass interference penalty, Wright walked into the endzone untouched for his second rushing touchdown.
The Bulls defense got their first turnover of the game from a strip sack by senior linebacker Mac Harris. Kicker John Cannon created points off the turnover on a 33-yard field goal.
Cornerback Brent Austin put the game away when he jumped in front of a slow pass from Charlotte quarterback Deshawn Purdie for a pick-six. The Bulls defense scored again when senior linebacker Jhalyn Shuler knocked the ball out of Purdie’s hands and Harris scooped it up to make the score 45-17.
The back-to-back defensive touchdowns helped the Bulls score 31 points in the third quarter, another program record.
USF’s defense ended the game with five sacks, four turnovers and two scores.
In the fourth quarter, USF continued to run the ball with ease. Joiner scored again on a 45-yard scamper and freshman running back Alvon Issac took a 9-yard handoff up the middle for his first career touchdown.
In his post-game press conference, USF head coach Alex Golesh emphasized that the success on the ground was a team effort.
“I thought the o-line did a good job, tight ends did a good job, the backs continued to push and create, and Bryce [Archie] pulled it when he had to,” said Golesh.
With just two games left on the schedule, USF is one win away from clinching bowl game eligibility for the second time in two years under coach Golesh.
The Bulls hope to achieve that goal in front of its home crowd next Saturday, Nov. 23 at 3:30 p.m. against the University of Tulsa at Raymond James Stadium.
