Turnovers a ‘wake-up call’ for USF
UConn's Obi Melifonwu snags a one-handed interception out of the hands of USF receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling in Saturday's 42-27 win over the Huskies. ORACLE PHOTO/JACOB HOAG
Going into Friday’s AAC East division matchup, USF coach Willie Taggart said his team must protect the football better than they did in a 42-27 win over UConn on Saturday.
Turning the ball over four times to the Huskies, including coughing up the ball on back-to-back drives to begin the second half, led the Bulls (6-1, 3-0) to give up the lead for a second straight week, ultimately coming back to win both times.
“What was a wake-up call was the turnovers we were having,” Taggart said during Monday’s AAC coaches’ teleconference. “That’s something we’re always stressing going into every game is taking care of the football, and we were so careless with it. Again, it was the second week in a row where we had to come back in the ball game…our guys have to be able to go out and play at a high level each and every week.”
Third in the AAC with 14 forced turnovers, Temple (4-3, 2-1) has found success this season when creating opportunities with takeaways, forcing nine turnovers in its four wins.
“We played them last year and lost to them last year, so we know how good they are,” Temple coach Matt Rhule said. “We’re just hopeful to eliminate some of the mistakes from last year and make this a really good football game.”
The Bulls knocked off the Owls 44-23 last year to become bowl eligible in only their second-ever meeting.
More Stories
Athletics update: On-campus stadium to break ground in summer, women’s basketball honorable mentions
Bulls football coach Alex Golesh announced the on-campus football stadium will break ground this summer during a conversation on the South Florida High School Sports Radio show. The news of the on-campus stadium comes after the Board of Trustees approved a $22 million expenditure on March 7 to be used toward the design phase of […]
Abdur-Rahim to bring ‘connected philosophy’ to men’s basketball coaching position
In his introductory ceremony Thursday afternoon, Amir Abdur-Rahim acknowledged the privilege it was to be named the 11th head coach in USF men’s basketball program history. As he spoke to the Bulls community for the first time, Abdur-Rahim made it clear that his approach will be based on tenacity and enthusiasm. “Every day that I […]
John Montes: Playing both sides of a rivalry
Rivalries run deep in college athletics, but for junior infielder John Montes, they mean a little more. Starting Friday, South Florida baseball will hit the road to play its first conference matchup of the season against formidable foe Central Florida – where Montes played before coming to USF in the fall of 2022. When it […]
Former Bulls attempt to impress NFL scouts during Pro Day
When the nerves finally subsided after getting combine tested at the Indoor Performance Facility on Wednesday, former offensive lineman Brad Cecil could finally take a breath of relief. “To be honest with you, I didn’t sleep at all last night,” Cecil said. Cecil is one of nine former USF football players hoping someone from the […]
Women’s basketball season in review
After losing to South Carolina 76-45 in the second round of the NCAA tournament on March 19, USF women’s basketball’s season came to an end. While the Bulls (27-7,15-1 AAC) matched program records in total wins, including longest winning streak and best home record, the AAC tournament did not go the way they had hoped. […]
The powerful women working alongside USF women’s soccer coach
One of USF women’s soccer coach Denise Schilte-Brown’s strongest qualities is her natural competitive nature, but what isn’t always shown is the powerful female athletic department that has helped her get to where she is now. Schilte-Brown began her coaching career shortly after graduating from the University of Maryland where she played as a striker. […]