NEED TO KNOW: The Bulls are 2-0 all-time in the series against the Owls. The last meeting between the teams occurred in 2007, with USF winning 35-23 in Boca Raton. ... Bulls WR Dontavia Bogan, who missed last week's game while recovering from an ankle injury suffered in the loss to Florida, will play tonight, while WR Sterling Griffin (ankle) is doubtful; P Justin Brockhaus-Kann (back) and K Maikon Bonani (hip) are probable. ... Owls DB Tavious Polo and DL Daniel Joseph, both starters, were among four Florida Atlantic players suspended for tonight's game for their role in an off-campus party, according to reports.
Florida Atlantic (1-2) at USF (2-1)
- Thread starter IE
- Start date
Bulls work on the pass
The University of South Florida has struggled with its passing game the past two games, but it's not time to panic - at least not in the eyes of Bulls players and coaches.
If it was, Bulls coach Skip Holtz probably wouldn't be cracking jokes about the situation.
Speaking during his weekly news conference Tuesday, Holtz made reference to Florida Atlantic's statistical prowess in the passing game, and the fact the Owls average 262 yards per game through the air. Then, he followed with this short quip about his team.
"We may not throw for 262 yards all year," Holtz said.
All kidding aside, Holtz made clear the Bulls won't be a one-dimensional team and that they must have a competent passing game to achieve sustained success. Plenty of conversation this week centered on USF's desire for a balanced offensive attack and making improvements with throwing the football.
Then again, with the Owls entering tonight's game at Raymond James Stadium sporting the worst defense against the run among the 120 Football Bowl Subdivision programs, the Bulls' game plan could look similar to last week's against Western Kentucky, when USF attempted a season-low 11 passes and sported a 4-to-1 run-to-pass ratio.
"Obviously we want to get the ball rolling on all cylinders. Right now, we're trying just to make sure we do the things we're supposed to do to get on track, and just to continue to be successful and to roll into the Big East on fire," sophomore quarterback B.J. Daniels said. "That's our plan."
Part of the plan against Western Kentucky was to show improvement in the passing game from the Bulls' previous game, when Daniels completed just one more pass to his teammates (five) than he threw into the hands of Florida defenders in a road loss to the Gators. USF devoted plenty of time during its bye week to the passing game, hoping to get Daniels and a host of young receivers on the same page.
Things didn't exactly work out that way. The Bulls threw for a program single-game-low 57 yards against the Hilltoppers, and there was disappointment that all the work done during the bye week did not translate to the game, according to Bulls offensive coordinator Todd Fitch.
"Sometimes it doesn't happen overnight," Fitch said. "When the lights go on for young players, a lot of times it takes them a couple of weeks to get comfortable. We've got guys that came into camp that we didn't know their name and they are lining up starting for us. I don't care who you're playing, that's a unique opportunity."
The way the Bulls have run the football the first month of the season has helped overshadow the lack of success with the passing game, which ranks as the second-worst in the Big East and has totaled 143 yards and produced five interceptions over the past two games. But with the start of conference play looming next week, the Bulls know some headway must be made in the way they operate in their offense through the air.
And soon.
"The ultimate goal is to win," Fitch said, "but we certainly want to press the envelope (with the passing game). ... We certainly know that the ultimate goal is to win the Big East. And to win the Big East, that part of the game has to come up productivity-wise."
The University of South Florida has struggled with its passing game the past two games, but it's not time to panic - at least not in the eyes of Bulls players and coaches.
If it was, Bulls coach Skip Holtz probably wouldn't be cracking jokes about the situation.
Speaking during his weekly news conference Tuesday, Holtz made reference to Florida Atlantic's statistical prowess in the passing game, and the fact the Owls average 262 yards per game through the air. Then, he followed with this short quip about his team.
"We may not throw for 262 yards all year," Holtz said.
All kidding aside, Holtz made clear the Bulls won't be a one-dimensional team and that they must have a competent passing game to achieve sustained success. Plenty of conversation this week centered on USF's desire for a balanced offensive attack and making improvements with throwing the football.
Then again, with the Owls entering tonight's game at Raymond James Stadium sporting the worst defense against the run among the 120 Football Bowl Subdivision programs, the Bulls' game plan could look similar to last week's against Western Kentucky, when USF attempted a season-low 11 passes and sported a 4-to-1 run-to-pass ratio.
"Obviously we want to get the ball rolling on all cylinders. Right now, we're trying just to make sure we do the things we're supposed to do to get on track, and just to continue to be successful and to roll into the Big East on fire," sophomore quarterback B.J. Daniels said. "That's our plan."
Part of the plan against Western Kentucky was to show improvement in the passing game from the Bulls' previous game, when Daniels completed just one more pass to his teammates (five) than he threw into the hands of Florida defenders in a road loss to the Gators. USF devoted plenty of time during its bye week to the passing game, hoping to get Daniels and a host of young receivers on the same page.
Things didn't exactly work out that way. The Bulls threw for a program single-game-low 57 yards against the Hilltoppers, and there was disappointment that all the work done during the bye week did not translate to the game, according to Bulls offensive coordinator Todd Fitch.
"Sometimes it doesn't happen overnight," Fitch said. "When the lights go on for young players, a lot of times it takes them a couple of weeks to get comfortable. We've got guys that came into camp that we didn't know their name and they are lining up starting for us. I don't care who you're playing, that's a unique opportunity."
The way the Bulls have run the football the first month of the season has helped overshadow the lack of success with the passing game, which ranks as the second-worst in the Big East and has totaled 143 yards and produced five interceptions over the past two games. But with the start of conference play looming next week, the Bulls know some headway must be made in the way they operate in their offense through the air.
And soon.
"The ultimate goal is to win," Fitch said, "but we certainly want to press the envelope (with the passing game). ... We certainly know that the ultimate goal is to win the Big East. And to win the Big East, that part of the game has to come up productivity-wise."
Florida Atlantic ?party animals? let down teammates, coaches
This one has to go down in the category of ?what were they thinking??
Four FAU players were suspended for Saturday?s game at USF for their part in promoting a party that was being thrown following last Saturday?s home game - a 21-17 loss, by the way, to lowly North Texas.
Figuring the FAU compliance department does what every compliance department does across the country and educates its athletes about the NCAA and its voluminous rule book; the blame then lies on the four players - seniors Tavious Polo and Daniel Joseph and redshirt sophomores David Terrell and Demetrius Williamson.
Especially the two seniors.
Polo and Joseph are starters - Joseph made his first start of the season Saturday - and, as seniors, are supposed to be leaders. What they have done is let down their teammates, coaches and the athletic department.
They allowed their pictures and/or names to be used on the hundreds of flyers distributed in the Lockhart Stadium parking lot during the game and in the cases of Polo and Joseph, were listed as hosts for the party.
Even if the events following the game did not interfere with, and were completely separate from, their preparation for the game, the appearance is not good. Especially considering FAU lost a game it had no business losing.
Coach Howard Schnellenberger was right in suspending his players, these players should be thankful it was for just one game.
This one has to go down in the category of ?what were they thinking??
Four FAU players were suspended for Saturday?s game at USF for their part in promoting a party that was being thrown following last Saturday?s home game - a 21-17 loss, by the way, to lowly North Texas.
Figuring the FAU compliance department does what every compliance department does across the country and educates its athletes about the NCAA and its voluminous rule book; the blame then lies on the four players - seniors Tavious Polo and Daniel Joseph and redshirt sophomores David Terrell and Demetrius Williamson.
Especially the two seniors.
Polo and Joseph are starters - Joseph made his first start of the season Saturday - and, as seniors, are supposed to be leaders. What they have done is let down their teammates, coaches and the athletic department.
They allowed their pictures and/or names to be used on the hundreds of flyers distributed in the Lockhart Stadium parking lot during the game and in the cases of Polo and Joseph, were listed as hosts for the party.
Even if the events following the game did not interfere with, and were completely separate from, their preparation for the game, the appearance is not good. Especially considering FAU lost a game it had no business losing.
Coach Howard Schnellenberger was right in suspending his players, these players should be thankful it was for just one game.
