Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1287944
34 SEPT. 19, 2020 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED seven games in 2019. Junior Darrian Felix, a transfer from Oregon who has 426 career yards, will rotate in as well. The Bulls were 30th nationally in running plays of 30 or more yards last year. For the passing attack to be explosive, though, USF's protection must keep McCloud upright a lot more than it did a year ago. If he has time to throw, there are some intrigu- ing pass-catching options at wide re- ceiver and tight end. Junior Randall St. Felix (22 catches for 261 yards) is the leading returning receiver. The Citadel, a Football Champion- ship Subdivision opponent, doesn't present much of a challenge. But af- terward, USF must turn around and face a stout Notre Dame defense. Cracking 10 points on the Irish in the second game while running an offense installed during a pandemic is a big ask. And while the defense surely won't hold Notre Dame to fewer than 10 points, it was USF's stronger unit last year. Defensive coordinator Glenn Spen- cer, who came over from FAU with Weis Jr., inherits a majority of the core group that was 53rd in the FEI and sits 49th in SP+ entering the season. USF's defense ended 2019 ranked 48th in yards per play, 31st in turnover rate and 44th in yards per pass attempt. Spencer 's defenses at Oklahoma State from 2011-17 and FAU in 2019 were rooted in creating havoc and bringing pressure using mainly a three-down front and constant shifting on the back end. The Owls' sack total increased by 11 in Spencer's lone year with the program. They led the coun- try in takeaways (33) and interceptions (22). He has some individual skill at his disposal, starting in the secondary. Senior cornerback KJ Sails was the Bulls' sole first- or second-team all- conference selection in 2019, and he's a likely draft pick next spring. He had three interceptions, six passes broken up and 2.5 tackles for loss last fall. He's a playmaker in run de- fense and in coverage. PFF gave him a strong 77.5 tackling grade, and op- ponents completed only 59.6 percent of the throws targeted at him. Graduate student Mike Hampton, the other cornerback, enters his third year as a starter. In 2018, he ranked in the nation's top 10 with 18 passes defended (two interceptions and 16 broken up). Leading tackler Dwayne Boyles re- turns as the front-seven's best player. He had 75 tackles a year ago, includ- ing 12.5 tackles for loss. Around him, one other front-seven starter returns. USF's three most productive and ex- perienced defensive ends are gone, leaving a host of less-proven play- ers to generate the pressure Spencer wants. Scott said ahead of the season- opener USF had no players out due to positive COVID-19 tests or contact tracing. Six USF players opted out of the season, among them Michigan transfer Devin Gil, who was an ex- pected contributor, if not a starter, at linebacker. ✦ GAME PREVIEW: SOUTH FLORIDA Senior cornerback KJ Sails was the Bulls' sole first- or second-team all-conference selection in 2019, and he's a likely NFL Draft pick next spring. PHOTO COURTESY SOUTH FLORIDA 2020 SOUTH FLORIDA SCHEDULE Date Opponent (TV) Result/Time (ET) Sept. 12 The Citadel W, 27-6 Sept. 19 at Notre Dame (USA) 2:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at Florida Atlantic (CBSSN) 6 p.m. Oct. 3 at Cincinnati TBA Oct. 10 East Carolina TBA Oct. 17 at Temple TBA Oct. 23 Tulsa (ESPN) 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at Memphis TBA Nov. 14 at Houston TBA Nov. 21 Navy TBA Nov. 27 Central Florida TBA 2020 NOTRE DAME SCHEDULE Date Opponent (TV) Result/Time (ET) Sept. 12 Duke W, 27-13 Sept. 19 South Florida (USA) 2:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at Wake Forest TBA Oct. 10 Florida State (NBC) 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 Louisville (NBC) 2:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at Pittsburgh TBA Oct. 31 at Georgia Tech TBA Nov. 7 Clemson (NBC) 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at Boston College TBA Nov. 27 at North Carolina TBA Dec. 5 Syracuse (NBC) TBA Facts & Figures SOUTH FLORIDA AT NOTRE DAME Game Info Date: Sept. 19, 2020 Site: Notre Dame Stadium Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. ET Television: USA Network Radio: This game can be heard on Notre Dame's IMG affiliates Series Facts: This is the second meeting between the two schools. USF leads the series 1-0, with a 23-20 win in South Bend on Sept. 5, 2011. Head Coaches: USF — Jeff Scott (1-0, first season); Notre Dame — Brian Kelly (93-37, 11th season) Noting USF: The 2019 season was the Bulls' 20th in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The program was started in 1997 and spent four seasons as a Football Championship Subdivision team before moving up … Scott is the fifth head coach in program history … USF ranked in the nation's bottom 20 in rushing yards allowed per game each of the last two seasons … It ranked 15th in pass yards allowed per game in 2019, though opponents attempted 27.1 passes per game, which ranked 13th-lowest nationally … The AAC's official preseason poll pegged the Bulls to finish last in the conference … Scott's first full recruiting class is currently 48th in Rivals' team rankings and one of three AAC recruiting classes currently in the top 50. Strong's highest-ranked class was 58th … USF has been to 10 bowl games and has a 6-4 record in them. The Bulls made four straight bowls from 2015-18, a run preceded by a four-year bowl drought.