Still no clear-cut favorite to lead USF’s offense in 2018

USF has been led by Quinton Flowers at quarterback every game for the past three seasons. ORACLE PHOTO/CHAVELI GUZMAN

There are three candidates who could take over as quarterback for USF this season. That’s all the Bulls coaching staff has said as Saturday’s latest scrimmage.

Brett Kean, Chris Oladokun and Blake Barnett are currently battling in a three-way position battle to take over former quarterback Quinton Flowers’ spot from last season.

Offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert hasn’t given any indication as to which of the three will get the nod to start against Elon on Sep. 1. Each time he’s been asked to this point, it has always been the same answer: all three are still in the mix.

Kean, a junior, has the most experience with USF and many believe he will be the starter for at least a few drives in the Bulls’ opener. Kean has thrown for 193 yards on 37 pass attempts.

Oladokun, a sophomore, is the youngest of the three and has recorded just one completion for 12 yards in games.

Barnett is a graduate transfer who previously played quarterback at Alabama and Arizona State. He has thrown for 259 yards on 26 career attempts. Barnett was ranked as the top pocket passing quarterback coming out of high school, but he has shown burst of mobility in preseason practice.

All three have been taking an almost even split of snaps in practices. There has not yet been any depth chart released. Even if one is handed out before the USF opens against Elon, fans may have to wait until the first possession to see who will start on Sep.1.

 

USF Softball Coach Ken Eriksen Leads Team USA to Gold, 2020 Olympics

 

USF Softball has had the same coach for 22 years. For the past eight summers, the Bulls have had to share their coach with Team USA.

Ken Eriksen has had dual-coaching duties for almost the past decade — and it could be even longer after this summer.

Eriksen led the US Women’s National Softball team to a world championship in Japan when they won 7-6 in 10 innings last week. The prize was a gold medal and a guaranteed spot in the 2020 Olympics.

This will be the first time since 2008 that the United States has been in the Olympics. Softball was dropped from the event in 2012 and 2016, but makes its return in 2020.

Eriksen was an assistant coach for Team USA in 2004 when they won its last Olympic Gold medal. His Olympic experience paired with the past eight years as the team’s skipper make him the frontrunner to coach the 2020 Olympic team.

 

Marlon Mack Poised to Start for Colts

 

Former Bulls standout Marlon Mack has taken a back seat to veterans Frank Gore and Robert Turbin his rookie season.

Gore has since been traded to Miami and Turbin will serve a four-game suspension to start the season, leaving the Indianapolis Colts’ backfield wide open.

“I think Mack has a chance to be a special guy this year,” Colts owner Jim Irsay told the Indianapolis Star. “Depends on how many times you want to feed him the ball, 16-20 touches on the ground (a game) and I could see him approaching 1,500 yards (for the season). I really could. He is just better than you think he is every time you watch him.”

Mack rushed for 358 yards and three touchdowns last season. He also caught 21 passes for 225 yards and another touchdown.