TAMPA, Fla. – During the preseason USF coaches and players consistently spoke of how the defense was going to be more aggressive and force the issue. That has been certainly been the case for a unit that awaits quarterback Cam Ward and the Miami offense on Saturday evening.
“I feel like the stats speak for themselves,” said sixth-year linebacker Jason Vaughn. “I feel as a group we have more of an emphasis on running to the ball, more emphasis on being aggressive and more emphasis on attacking the ball wherever it is.”
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A couple of the stats Vaughn was referring to stick out after three games: 27 tackles for loss and nine sacks. The former figure is tied for eighth nationally and latter is tied for 22nd.
Senior linebacker Mac Harris leads the unit with 19 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries. Senior safety De’Shawn Rucker is second with 17 tackles and junior corner Kajuan Banks leads with a pair of sacks.
The improved production is in large part a byproduct of the continued buy-in of coordinator Todd Orlando’s scheme as well as experienced front-line and depth players who arrived via the portal.
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“We have forced turnovers, we forced (errant passes), we forced fumbles by being physical,” said coach Alex Golesh. “We are violent at the point of attack. That’s been us this year. We have finished plays to create those turnovers.”
While praise has been widespread, Golesh complimented the work of an experienced and deep secondary that has allowed the rest of the unit to thrive. The result is the Bulls are eighth nationally in turnovers gained (eight) and ninth in third down conversion percentage (23.1).
“We have been exceptional in the turnover portion, we have been exceptional in the third down portion,” said Golesh. “It’s three games, a quarter of the season, and we have to be able to sustain it.”
The Bulls (2-1) host the No. 8/11 Hurricanes (3-0) on Saturday night (7:00/ESPN). Miami leads the all-time series 5-1 and won (49-21) the most recent meeting in 2013, which was at Raymond James Stadium.
Student Rush
It was last Friday when student tickets to Saturday night’s game were made available. A total of 13,179 freebies were snatched within 24 hours. That shattered the previous 24-hour mark of 8,408 for last season’s Alabama matchup. The number of student tickets was capped at 15,000, a figure that was reached Monday. More tickets will be available on a walk-up basis Saturday.
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There are 45,000 seats in the lower bowl at Raymond James Stadium, including 8,700 in the student section located in the north end zone. Lower bowl seats available to the general public sold out resulting in opening the upper deck on the venue’s west (Dale Mabry) side. That will increase capacity to 55,000 (not including suites) and accommodate the remaining students as well as the public. According to USF athletic communications, it is “likely” the announced attendance will be more than 60,000.
“I am excited for it and it will be awesome Saturday night,” said USF coach Alex Golesh. “I know a record number of student tickets sold, which is awesome. Hopefully, we have an incredible crowd and create a real home-field advantage, which I think we will. We need them loud and to be a factor in our success Saturday night.”
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