USF Athletics

Former Marine Beko Contributing for the Bulls

October 25, 2017

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By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, OCT. 25, 2017 – USF will honor military service members and first responders during Saturday's Salute to Service game at Raymond James Stadium with a special Bull leading the charge.

Running out of the tunnel will be brave Anthony Beko, a junior linebacker who spent five years serving for country as a Marine. The Tampa native was promoted to sergeant before leaving the service and resuming his football career.

"It was something that was going to definitely better me, push me and make me a better person, a better man," Beko said. "It worked out and I loved it. It definitely matured me and it got me here."

Before becoming a Marine, Beko suited up in the Bay Area as a quarterback for Bloomingdale High School, where he graduated in 2009. Beko enlisted on Oct. 18, 2010 and spent the next five years training in California and North Carolina along with a seven-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.

"I saw a lot of interesting stuff," he said. "It really made me realize the things you can't take for granted. Playing this game, we never can take this for granted. That allowed me to be here and be able to do this."

While in Afghanistan, Beko was an air support specialist, working closely with air traffic control in the field of battle.

"We controlled all of our own aircraft," he said. "They do the takeoffs and landings, and we would control them in the battle space," he said.

With up to six people working under him, Beko nearly became a crew chief by the time his duty was completed and still treasures the experience he gained during his service.

"Just managing all the assets we had in the air, it really helped me learn responsibility and all that, big things that help me even on the football field," he said.

Following his discharge, Beko went back to football and became a two-year starter at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, Calif. As a linebacker, Beko thrived in his new position with 81 tackles and eight sacks in two seasons before deciding to come back home to Tampa.

"I spoke with Coach Strong. They said they would give me a chance to walk on," he said. "It's a great opportunity for me to be home with my friends and family, and be able to play in front of the people I haven't been able to play in front of."

Since earning his spot on the roster, Beko has seen action on special teams and often leads the team out of the tunnel with the American flag in hand at home games.

"I still run around and have fun, that's what it's about really," the 27-year-old said. "You can't ask for much more."

Defense Gearing Up for Pass-Happy Houston
Ranking 18^th nationally in total defense, USF is preparing for its next test, which is trying to slow down Houston's offense that was rolling last week.

In the 42-38 loss to No. 24 Memphis, the Cougars put up a season-high 554 yards of offense. Senior back Dillon Birden became the second Houston player to rush for 100 yards this season, totaling 106 of the Cougars' 239 yards on the ground.

"Just ability-wise, I think they have some of the top skill talent in the conference," defensive coordinator Brian Jean-Mary said.

Quarterback Kyle Postma threw for a career-high 315 yards and a touchdown on top of rushing for 49 yards in the close loss to the Tigers. Postma started the past four games and has completed 109 of 162 passes for 1,120 yards and five touchdowns in six games this season.

"The quarterback is playing really, really well. He's a kid that waited for his opportunity," Jean-Mary said. "Once the issue happened with (Kyle) Allen, he's really flourished. We've got our work cut out for us."

Houston (4-2, 2-2) likes to air it out, averaging nearly 40 passing attempts per game, while three Cougars have combined to throw 10 interceptions this season. On the flip side, USF's defense leads the nation with 16 total interceptions among eight different players.

Led by four picks from safety Devin Abraham (Tarpon Springs, Fla.), USF's secondary has totaled 11 interceptions under the guidance of former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Blue Adams. USF's defensive backs coach played in the NFL for four seasons and his coaching career includes stints with the Miami Dolphins (2012-15) and West Virginia Mountaineers (2016).

"Especially with defensive backs, a lot of it is pre-snap reads and anticipation. These guys always seem like they're a step ahead of where that ball is going," Jean-Mary said. "That's probably the lead factor in some of the turnovers we've been able to get. You have to give Coach Blue a lot of credit. The actual players, you've got to give them credit for their anticipation and film study."

Bulls Bits

• BATTLE IN THE TRENCHES: USF ranks seventh nationally in rushing offense (305.1 ypg) and will look to keep producing against Houston, which is fourth in the conference against the run (155.4 ypg). "They're really good up front," offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert said. "Just week-in and week-out, it's always a challenge. We just make it an emphasis, make it a point to continue to be physical up front and continue to come downhill with the football."
• TICE RUNNING WILD: Senior back Darius Tice (Miami) has moved up to fourth in the conference with 90.6 rushing yards per game after posting a career-high 141 yards at Tulane. Tice has rushed for 100-plus yards in three games this season and leads the team with nine rushing touchdowns. "We're excited about what he's been able to do and how he's been able to be effective and produce on Saturdays," Gilbert said. "That's something we'll need him to continue to do the rest of the season."
• HOME SUCCESS: Heading into Saturday, USF has won nine consecutive conference home games at Raymond James Stadium. Home success has helped the Bulls post a 17-3 record in conference games over the past three seasons.

ABOUT USF FOOTBALL
USF finished the 2016 season ranked No. 19 in the Associated Press poll with a school-record 11 wins following the program's fifth-ever bowl victory in the Birmingham Bowl. The Bulls' 11-2 record marked the fifth-best winning percentage in FBS football in 2016 and one of just 11 teams to reach 11 wins. USF set nearly 40 team and individual records in 2016, including team records for total yards (6,650), rushing yards (3,714), touchdowns (77) and scoring (569). Junior quarterback Quinton Flowers was named the American Conference Offensive Player of the Year and led a school-record 10 players named to the all-conference team, six of which, including Flowers, will return in 2017. 

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