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The media were displaced from the Hall of Fame Room at the Lee Roy Selmon Athletic center for today’s press conference. The Student-Athlete Enrichment Center had set up a dark space for the athletes to come take a load off, relax, and maybe even get a massage.
Coincidentally (probably not):
.@USFAthletics announce $1.45 million gift from The Fishman Family Foundation.
— Nathan Bond (@BullsNathanSBN) October 11, 2016
The donation will help finish the renovations to the Student-Athlete Enrichment Center and scholarships
— Nathan Bond (@BullsNathanSBN) October 11, 2016
In addition to the renovations and scholarships, the donation will also help with any athletic department priority needs that may pop up.
"That's someone who has committed to this program...Jeff is doing something...We appreciate them so much." @USFironbull
— The Daily Stampede (@StampedeSBN) October 11, 2016
The generosity of Jeff and Brandy Fishman wasn’t lost on head coach Willie Taggart.
"We have bigger goals this year" Wilcox on bowl eligibility
— The Daily Stampede (@StampedeSBN) October 11, 2016
"It shows the growth, expectations from our program...We want bowl-eligible to be a norm." Taggart on getting sixth win not being celebrated
— The Daily Stampede (@StampedeSBN) October 11, 2016
For a team that was lost in the desert for nearly a half decade, this is an interesting turn of events. Getting six wins was the norm for many years before the “Dark Times” and seeing such a quick progression is great to see.
"It is what it is" about the student turnout on Saturday. "It was a little dead in warm ups but we got through it."
— The Daily Stampede (@StampedeSBN) October 11, 2016
"We can only control what we can control" about the fan turnout.
— The Daily Stampede (@StampedeSBN) October 11, 2016
"It is what it is," Taggart said about lack of attendance on homecoming.
— The Daily Stampede (@StampedeSBN) October 11, 2016
Lord knows we’ve talked about attendance since Saturday, but the players and coaches have noticed. “It is what it is” is just a diplomatic way of saying that they were disappointed in the turnout.
Nichols said that they knew what play ECU was going to run on the two-point conversion attempt. They had run it previously in the game.
— The Daily Stampede (@StampedeSBN) October 11, 2016
Nichols said that when Taggart called the timeout after ECU lined up, the Bulls knew what to look for because the Pirates used the same play to convert on a third down earlier in the game.
"We have to tackle" Taggart said about shoring up their rush defense. "Get guys to the ball and tackle."
— The Daily Stampede (@StampedeSBN) October 11, 2016
And it starts with the front four and linebackers Auggie Sanchez and Nigel Harris. Too many arm tackles and not enough sound tackles.
Injury update:
CB Ronnie Hoggins (calf) did not practice today, Taggart wanted to give him an extra day of rest.
— The Daily Stampede (@StampedeSBN) October 11, 2016
kTE Kano Dillon (ankle) did practice today though.
— The Daily Stampede (@StampedeSBN) October 11, 2016
With UConn WR Noel Thomas (55 catches, 631 yards) coming to town on Saturday night, it would be nice to have Hoggins available to start along side Nichols. If Hoggins can’t go though, “old man” Johnny Ward would step in for the Bulls.