Gary Hahn's Scouting Report: South Florida
NC State ready for Meineke Car Care Bowl New Year's Eve in Charlotte.
Dec. 30, 2005
NC STATE (6-5, 3-5) vs. SOUTH FLORIDA (6-5, 4-3)
DATE: Saturday, December 31, 2005
TIME: Kickoff: 11:00 a.m. (EST) Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC (73, 298)
RADIO: Wolfpack Radio Network: 10:00 a.m. (EST)
TELEVISION: espn2
OPPONENT----USF was in contention for the Big East title until losing 15-10 at UConn on November 26th. The Bulls finished the season on December 3rd with a 28-13 loss at home to conference champ West Virginia. Those defeats dropped USF into a tie for third-place in the Big East with Pittsburgh and Rutgers.
The Bulls most impressive win of the season came against then-unbeaten Louisville on September 24th. USF dominated the game from the outset and blew out the Cardinals 45-14. Wide receiver, Amarri Jackson, had a career day by running for two touchdowns and throwing for another off reverse action. The Bulls fastest player, reserve runningback Chad Simpson, scored on a 94-yard kickoff return.
USF's success is centered on an effective rushing offense that was able to convert 39 percent of its third-down opportunities, a defense that allowed only 18.4 points a game (both ranked No. 2 in the Big East) and a plus-seven turnover margin. On the negative side, the Bulls allowed an average of 143 rushing yards a game, and were next-to-last in the Big East in passing and passing efficiency.
Averaging nearly 210 yards a game rushing, the Bulls finished the regular season 17th in the nation in that category. In the Big East, only West Virginia (262) was better.
USF's all-time leading rusher, senior Andre Hall (5-10, 205), led the Big East in rushing yards (1,256) and was No.2 in the conference in rushing yards per game (114.2). Hall ran for 13 touchdowns and was also USF's leading receiver with 24 catches for 272 yards and 2 scores. In a loss to Pittsburgh, Hall caught 7 passes for 131 yards.
The Bulls experienced offensive line includes three second-team All-Big East selections, but will be challenged by an NC State defense that has allowed an average of only 71 rushing yards a game over the last six games of the regular season.
It's no surprise that USF's quarterback, Pat Julmiste (6-3, 220.) can run the football. The junior is the team's No.2 rusher (342 yards) and has scampered for 4 touchdowns. An option quarterback in high school, Julmiste, has completed 51 percent of his passes for only 127 yards a game. However, he's thrown more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (6) this season. His back-up, freshman Carlton Hill, rushed for 50-yards and scored USF's lone touchdown against West Virginia.
Wide receiver Johnny Peyton did not make the trip to Charlotte and will not participate in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Peyton suffered an ankle injury against West Virginia on Dec. 3. The 6-5 sophomore deep threat was USF's fourth-leading receiver with 17 catches for 188 yards and a team-high three TDs.
South Florida was 14th in the nation in scoring defense and was 7th best in the NCAA against the pass (169). The Bulls also tied for 11th in the nation in turnovers gained (29) which was the best mark in the Big East this season.
Anchoring the defensive line is third-year starter Terrence Royal (6-3, 255). The senior is a second-team All-Big East selection who tied for the team lead in sacks (7) and recovered three fumbles. USF's best defender is junior linebacker, Steve Nicholas (6-3, 255, Jr.) who also earned second-team All-Big East honors. He leads the team in tackles for loss while recording 7 sacks. Middle linebacker, Ben Moffitt (6-2, 235, So.) leads the team in tackles and is third in the Big East (8.1) in stops.
The secondary is experienced. Senior safety Johnnie Jones (6-3, 215) and sophomore cornerback Mike Jenkins (6-0, 200) both earned second-team All-Big East honors this season. Only one opponent scored more than two touchdowns in a game against the Bulls. That was Rutgers in a 45-31 loss to USF on November 5th.
In the kicking game, Simpson finished second in the Big East in kickoff returns, averaging 26 yards per attempt. Wide receiver Jackie Chambers led the league in punt returns with 344 yards and a 12.3 average.
South Florida's kicker, freshman Kyle Bronson, won the job early in the season and made 11 of his 15 field goal attempts. He was 2 of 4 from beyond 40-yards. The Bulls all-time punting leader, Brandon Baker, has not had his eligibility restored, so it appears that Bronson will replace the Big East's No. 3 punter on Saturday. Bronson has not punted since his senior year in high school.
NOTES: NC State has committed only 3 turnovers in its last 4 games...State has 25 sacks and 70 tackles for loss in its last 6 games and is allowing opponents an average of 71 rushing yards during that span... State is 14-of-67 on third down in its last 4 games (21%)... USF is converting 39 percent of its third down opportunities this season... Pack linebacker Stephen Tulloch is No. 2 in the ACC with an average of 10.8 tackles per game....Mario Williams has recorded 18.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in the last 6 games and is No. 2 in the ACC in tackles for loss... Darrell Blackmon leads the ACC in kickoff returns (29.1)...In its last 6 games, State has been flagged for a total 37 penalties, a major improvement from earlier this season... Marcus Stone threw for a career high 247 yards at Boston College, but managed only 85 yards passing against Middle Tennessee and 113 in the final game of the regular season against Maryland. In 5 career starts Stone has tossed 4 touchdown passes and has been intercepted 5 times...USF has allowed only 19 sacks. NC State has sacked opposing quarterbacks 36 times....This is USF's first bowl appearance in only its ninth season in Division 1-A...In their six wins, the Bulls averaged 287 yards rushing. In their five losses USF rushed for an average of only 115 yards....In 4 Big East wins, USF averaged 37 points.
INJURIES--NC State: None reported .South Florida: WR Johnny Peyton (ankle)-ou
