Patience pays off as Bulls tie school sack record

Defensive coordinator Mark Snyder said last week that he wasn’t concerned that his defense had only recorded three sacks so far this season. He said the sacks would come eventually and when they did, it would be in bunches.

He was right, and unfortunately for Florida Atlantic junior quarterback Jeff Van Camp, they came on Saturday night.

USF tied a school record with seven sacks against FAU. USF had previously recorded seven sacks three times in games against Kentucky Wesleyan in 1997, FAU in 2002 and most recently against Syracuse in 2006.

“They usually come in bunches. We’ve been able to get pressure on the quarterbacks we’ve played,” Snyder said. “He’s been getting rid of the ball, and we were fortunate (Saturday) to get that extra step that enabled us to bring the quarterback down.”

The entire starting defensive line – David Bedford, Craig Marshall, Terrell McClain and Cory Grissom – recorded sacks. Safety Jon Lejiste and defensive ends Ryne Giddins and Patrick Hampton also recorded sacks. Lejiste is now the team sack leader with three this season.

“I’m happy to lead the team in sacks. I study how the defensive ends and defensive linemen work during sack drills so that when my number is called I’ll be ready,” Lejiste said. “We put an emphasis on getting more sacks this week, so I’m really happy we did that.”

Bogan hits 1,000 receiving yards

A trick play helped senior receiver Dontavia Bogan reach a milestone.

Bogan eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for his career on a 38-yard touchdown catch on a flea-flicker from redshirt sophomore quarterback B.J. Daniels on the second play of the third quarter to put USF up 21-3.

Bogan, one of seven Bulls to catch a pass, missed last week’s game against Western Kentucky, nursing an ankle injury he suffered against Florida three weeks ago.

Bogan led the Bulls with five receptions for 66 yards.

Bonani replaces Schwartz, again

After replacing senior kicker Eric Schwartz in last week’s win against Western Kentucky, redshirt sophomore kicker Maikon Bonani entered Saturday’s game after Schwartz missed a 35-yard field goal in the second quarter.

Bonani, who made a 33-yard field goal last week, is 2-for-2 this year while Schwartz has missed 4-of-5 attempts.

Schwartz won the job in fall camp.

Etc.

Running back Mo Plancher carried the ball 20 times, his highest total this season. Plancher had 93 yards and two touchdowns in the game … Running back Demetris Murray, who rushed for 115 yards against WKU last week, sat out this game with a sore ankle … Offensive Coordinator Todd Fitch said Murray was at “about 75 percent” and could have played if necessary … Sophomore wide receiver Victor Marc made his first catch of the year, a 13-yard completion in the fourth quarter … Junior safety Jerrell Young later left the game for precautionary reasons with a minor ankle injury.