USF Athletics

Explosive USF Gearing Up for Aggressive Red Raiders

December 13, 2017

PURCHASE BIRMINGHAM BOWL TICKETS


By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, DEC. 13, 2017 – Ranking ninth nationally in total offense, high-powered USF looks to produce more fireworks in the postseason against a defense that dishes out its own highlight-reel plays.

Aggressive Texas Tech (6-6) has gotten its hands on a Big 12-leading 27 takeaways this season, the sixth-most in the NCAA heading into the Birmingham Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 23.

"Those guys are really physical and they've done a great job with turnovers," offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert said. "They're going to fly around, try to be around the football, and they're going to try to get the ball back."

On the other side of the line, USF (9-2) has taken great care of the football with only 12 turnovers. The Bulls rank 13^th nationally in turnover margin (0.91) while quarterback Quinton Flowers (Miami) has been efficient through the air, throwing 21 touchdown passes with only six interceptions in 320 attempts this season.

In last year's Birmingham Bowl, Flowers earned MVP honors by completing 23 of 32 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns in addition to his 105 rushing yards and three scores on the ground.

"We just have to execute like last year," Flowers said after practice Tuesday. "Every opportunity we get, every time we get the ball, we just have to go down and score. Eliminate the big mistakes and just stay within the team."

Forcing opponents into making mistakes has been the norm for Texas Tech, which leads the Big 12 with 13 fumble recoveries. Linemen Mychealon Thomas, Tony Jones and defensive back Douglas Coleman each have scooped up two fumbles while 10 different Red Raiders have a fumble recovery to their credit.

"They're a fast team, they're a physical team. They're going to bring it," said junior receiver Tyre McCants (Niceville, Fla.).

Much like the Bulls' secondary, Texas Tech has made the most of its opportunities with 14 interceptions. Junior defensive back Justus Parker leads the team with four interceptions and he's one of 10 Texas Tech players with a pick this season.

Parker shined in the regular season finale by returning one of Texas Tech's two interceptions for 55 yards. The Red Raiders totaled three takeaways and became bowl eligible in the huge 27-23 win at Texas.

"They're active on that side of the ball. They've got quite a few athletes over there," Gilbert said. "They've just increased their productivity throughout the season, especially here in the back end with what they've been doing."

Flowers Hot Passing Roll Could Continue
Quinton Flowers threw for 325-plus yards in three of the final four regular season games and another opportunity awaits the rapidly progressing passer.

Despite having 14 interceptions, Texas Tech ranks 123^rd nationally in passing defense (279.8 ypg) and has held only one FBS opponent to less than 20 points this season.

Flowers elevated his season passing average (236.3 ypg) with a school record 503-yard night at UCF that included four touchdown tosses. The dual threat from Miami needs 312 yards against Texas Tech to top Matt Grothe (2,911 yards) and become the Bulls' all-time season passing leader.

"Q can throw the ball over the top and the thing he does with his running ability, you can't leave your coverage," head coach Charlie Strong said. "His eyes are always down the field and he's always looking for a throw."

One more touchdown pass also would help Flowers (67 TDs) grab sole possession of USF's career lead and he needs four more break his own school season record of 24 TD passes set last season.

"I think their quarterback is one of the best in the country," Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury said.

Protecting Q
For Flowers to set more passing records, USF's veteran offense line must give him some time to dish it out. USF has done a solid job so far, ranking 41^st nationally with 1.64 sacks allowed per game.

"We're happy to hold pass protection down for seven, eight seconds to give (Flowers) all the time in the pocket before he wants to scramble or has to scramble," said senior center Cameron Ruff (Tampa). "We take pride in everything we do."

On the other side of the ball, Texas Tech doesn't get to the backfield often, ranking 109^th in the country with 19 sacks and 118^th in tackles for loss (4.3 per game).

One player to keep an eye on though is emerging redshirt freshman defensive lineman Eli Howard, who leads the Red Raiders with 8.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.

Ground Battle Should Be a Good One
Texas Tech gives up yards through the air but has been pretty good against the run this season.

The Red Raiders rank 53^rd nationally in rushing defense (154.3 ypc) and have allowed just three individual 100-yard rushers all season.

Meanwhile, USF ranks ninth nationally in rushing offense (265.4 ypg) and has had at least one Bull run for 100-plus yards in seven games this season. Against Illinois, Flowers, Darius Tice (Miami) and D'Ernest Johnson (Immokalee, Fla.) all eclipsed the 100-yard mark.

"We love that we can open up a hole when the defense is giving us their best for our running backs to go 20, 30-plus yards," Ruff said. 

Overall, USF has gained at least 300 yards on the ground in five games this year. Business as usual against Texas Tech would give the Bulls (2,919 yards) their third consecutive 3,000-yard rushing season.

Individually, another productive outing could propel Flowers into the USF career rushing lead. He needs just 44 more yards to break former teammate Marlon Mack's school record of 3,609 yards. With a team-leading 972 yards, Flowers also is on the verge of his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season and could join Louisville's Lamar Jackson as the only FBS players to pass for 2,500 and run for 1,000 yards on the season, both doing it for the second straight year.

Find out what other school records might fall in the Birmingham Bowl HERE.

About USF Football
USF has won nine or more games for the second straight season and will make its third straight bowl appearance and ninth in program history. The Bulls spent the entire 2017 season ranked in the top 25 and climbed as high as No. 13 in the polls. USF finished the 2016 season ranked No. 19 in the Associated Press poll with a school-record 11 wins (11-2) following a Birmingham Bowl victory over South Carolina. The Bulls have posted 13 winning seasons in 21 years of playing football and have five bowl victories. The Bulls have seen 28 players selected in the NFL Draft, 14 named All-American and 28 earn first-team all-conference selection.
 
Follow @USFFootball on twitter for all the latest information concerning the USF Football program.