Opponent Preview: USF
October 25, 2013 | Football
Oct. 25, 2013
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USF enters Saturday's game against Louisville with a 2-4 overall record, including a 2-0 mark in the AAC. The Bulls are coming off a bye week and are currently on a two game winning streak, with league victories against Cincinnati and Connecticut.
Prior to getting its first two wins of the year, USF lost its first four games. After dropping its season opener to FCS opponent McNeese State, the Bulls fell to Michigan State, Florida Atlantic, and Miami (Fla.).
Head coach Willie Taggart is familiar with the Louisville program, having coached at Western Kentucky the last three seasons. During his time there, he turned the WKU football program around. After struggling during 2010, he led WKU to two straight winning seasons. In 2013, he took WKU to its first bowl game ever, the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
Series Recap
The Bulls and Cardinals have played against each another every year since 2003, with the series tied at five wins apiece. Louisville has won the last two meetings.
Last season, Teddy Bridgewater stole the show, completing 21 of his 25 passes for 256 yards and two scores, while having a career day on the ground, with 74 yards on 10 carries. Louisville, though, needed a touchdown catch by Eli Rogers with just over a minute left to win, 27-25.
Head coach Charlie Strong is currently 2-1 against the Bulls, with his lone loss coming back in 2010 in overtime.
Offense
USF has had trouble getting its offense going this year. It has managed only six offensive touchdowns and nine field goals.
Bobby Eveld is one of the quarterbacks USF will use. He has completed 38.5 percent of his passes for 433 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Eveld was the only quarterback used during the 13-10 win against Connecticut. Along with Eveld, Steven Bench may also see time at under center. Bench has completed 42.3 percent of his passes for 324 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Both quarterbacks are predominantly pocket passers.
Marcus Shaw is the Bulls' primary running back. He has 552 of the team's 722 rushing yards this season, achieving the total in just 86. Shaw averages 6.4 yards per carry and has two touchdowns. Michael Pierre will also see action in the backfield, as he has 39 carries for 116 yards.
Andre Davis is the go to receiver. He leads the team in catches (19), yards (270), and is tied for touchdowns (1). No other USF receiver has over nine catches.
As an offense, USF ranges from 104-123 nationally in multiple offensive categories.
| Average | National Rank | |
| Points Per Game: | 16.2 | 117 |
| Total Offense: | 258.5 | 121 |
| Passing Offense: | 138.2 | 115 |
| Rushing Offense: | 120.3 | 104 |
Defense
| Average | Rank | |
| Points Allowed Per Game: | 30.2 | 89 | |
| Total Defense: | 360.5 | 33 | |
| Passing Defense: | 200.0 | 22 | |
| Rushing Defense: | 160.5 | 65 | |
USF's defense, which has accounted for four touchdowns, utilizes multiple linemen. The leader on the defensive line in tackles is Tevin Mims, with 19. Assisting Mims up front is defensive tackle Luke Sager, who has seven tackles for loss. Ryne Giddins has had the most success on USF's past rush this year, totaling a team-best three sacks.
The linebacking corps is one of the Bulls' strengths on defense. Their three starting linebackers all rank in the top four in tackles on the team. DeDe Lattimore is the leader with 56. Working alongside Lattitmore is Reshard Cliett and Nigel Harris. Cliett has 28 tackles on the year, while Harris has 27.
The secondary is led by Mark Joyce and Fid Montgomery. Joyce has the team lead in interceptions with two and is second in tackles with 32. Montgomery is fifth on the team in tackles with 23.
As a defense, USF ranges from 22-89 nationally in multiple defensive categories.Special Teams
Marvin Kloss has been a big part of the USF scoring this season, making nine of his 10 field goals. He has hit 4-of-6 field goals from over 40 yards and has a long of 52 yards. Kloss also handles kickoffs, and he has totaled 10 touchbacks and opposing teams are starting their drives, on average, at the 24-yard line.
Punter Matti Ciabatti averages 41.3 yards per punt, with eight over 50 yards and a long of 68.
Kenneth Durden, the team's top punt returner, averages 7.1 yards per return, while Derric Hopkins has returned a majority of the team's kickoffs. He averages 21.6 yards a return with a long of 38.
