USF Athletics

Bulls Preparing to Put Up Points in Birmingham Bowl Shootout

December 22, 2017

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By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., DEC. 22, 2017 – Gray skies and cooler temps provided the Bulls with a great football atmosphere to continue grinding away in Birmingham.

Thursday marked USF's second bowl practice at Birmingham-Southern College, just two days away from the Bulls' showdown with Texas Tech at historic Legion Field. Kickoff is schedule for Saturday at noon (EST) and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN.

"We're just going to go out there and play USF football," said senior running back Darius Tice (Miami).

USF's brand of football includes an explosive offense that's done lots of damage against opposing defenses this year.

Led by record-breaking quarterback Quinton Flowers, the Bulls have zoomed up and down the field in 2017, ranking eighth nationally in rushing offense (265.4 ypg), ninth in total offense (508.6 ypc) and 14^th in scoring (38.3 ppg).

College football experts, like CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli, are expecting a plethora of points in the 13^th-best bowl game of the 39 on the slate this postseason because both teams can light up the scoreboard.

Putting up 34.3 points per game, Texas Tech (6-6) sure can sling it, averaging 326.8 yards per game (11^th nationally) while totaling 468.4 yards per outing (17^th nationally).

Despite all those shiny statistics, USF wants to derail the Red Raiders' touchdown plans with a swarming defense that's trending upward this season.

Since Charlie Strong's staff took over, USF owns the top best defense in The American, ranking eighth nationally in rushing defense (265.4 ypc) and 28^th in total defense (342.5 ypc). USF also has racked up 22 takeaways and would like to add to that solid total with all-out effort against Texas Tech.

"We're going to play physical, play our defense and stay in our scheme, and just run to the ball as usual," said senior defensive back Deatrick Nichols (Miami).

Bulls Bring Holiday Cheer Before Lots of Laughs
After hauling in passes at practice, seniors like Marquez Valdes-Scantling (St. Petersburg) brought armfuls of presents to excited kids at Children's of Alabama on Thursday afternoon.

Like the bowling and BBQ event on Wednesday night, the hospital visit was at the top of the activities list for USF, which enjoyed the experience in Birmingham last postseason at the third-largest pediatric medical facility in the U.S. 

Smiles continued for the Bulls in the evening, when the whole team had a blast at Stardome Comedy Club. Both programs laughed as loudly as they wanted with the comedy club closing its doors for the private bowl event.

"Right now I'm just enjoying my teammates, enjoying the process, and having fun with those guys," said Darius Tice, the top comedian on the team.

Up Next
USF's Friday begins with meetings at the hotel before the team's final practice at Birmingham-Southern College.

Coach Strong and select players will talk more about the big game at the Birmingham Bowl press conference in the afternoon, prior to the team's walkthrough at Legion Field.

Fans in Birmingham can join the Bulls at the Uptown Street Fest that begins at 6 p.m. (EST). Fans back in Tampa can watch the popular pep rally in progress on the Birmingham Bowl Facebook page 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.
 
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