South Florida vs UTEP Football Recap

South Florida 52, UTEP 24

In a change from its recent personality, the 2011 edition of the South Florida Bulls has morphed into an offensive machine and a defensive nightmare. On balance, that’s probably a good problem for this team to have, because in past seasons, the uncanny ability of this team to slip up on offense has cost it a shot at a Big East championship. With conference play approaching and the month of October arriving, it’s a welcome sight in Tampa to see an offense consistently delivering the goods, cranking out a maximum of production each and every Saturday.

Whereas the Bulls have historically won on the strength of a very good defense and an adequate (at best) offense, this year the reverse has been the case. For the third consecutive week, the Bulls amassed over 500 yards of total offense, and for the third consecutive week the defense allowed a handful of plays that make fans shudder about what better offenses might do against that same defense. Quarterback B.J. Daniels again played masterfully, throwing for 202 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 137 yards and another score. Against an overmatched UTEP team, the Bulls relied heavily on their ground game and were effective, rushing for 373 yards as a team. After throwing the ball so well against Ball State and Florida A&M, head coach Skip Holtz made sure his team was prepared to run the ball effectively with Big East play set to begin this week.

As well as the offense has moved the ball, the defense has failed to stop the ball almost as much. The Bulls gave up big plays in the passing game multiple times to what had been a rather pedestrian UTEP offense. The Bulls secondary did play without starter Quenton Washington at one cornerback position, but it was the Bulls safeties that continually bit on play fakes and allowed receivers to make plays down the middle of the field. Against better passing offenses, the Bulls will have to tighten up in the secondary or else there will be enormous pressure on the offense to keep up. There's not much time for the Bulls to improve as they travel to Pittsburgh on just five days rest to face a Panthers team coming off of a tough home loss to Notre Dame. The loser could be out of the Big East race after just one week.

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By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer