Wrap-Up and Haiku: USF 52, #22 Navy 45

Sure you were worried
You’ve been scarred by history
Ground yards: Four-one-two

This was a massive celebration of the progress of USF Football that turned into a far-closer scoreline than necessary due to poor defensive play with second team in the fourth quarter.

USF dominated this game on both sides of the ball when it mattered. They made plays on defense, and on offense made it look nothing short of simple. Their athletes made tons of plays in space, and it was a joy to behold for those in green and gold.

Conceding 24 points to a triple-option team in any quarter is never a good thing, but let’s not bury the lede: the #22 team in the country came into Ray Jay and got their asses kicked. Let’s allow the defensive coaching staff to deal with the fallout of the late points tomorrow in meetings.

Full game story coming later from Nathan, but some quick notes:

• 412 yards rushing is a school record for the Bulls.
• Three 100-yard rushers for the Bulls tonight: Quinton Flowers (176), Marlon Mack (125), and D’Ernest Johnson (107).
• First career 100-yard rushing game for D’Ernest Johnson.
• Bulls defense in the first half: Navy had 33 plays for 218 yards, 42 on one play. Exactly what they wanted to do. Plus an interception!
• USF in the first half: 26 carries, 279 yards. 15-20 passing, 185 yards. 10.1 yards per play.
• USF (629 yards) and Navy (616) combined for 1,245 yards, the highest combined total in USF history.
• USF surrendered the most yards (616) and points (45) in a victory in program history.
• Let’s face it: the backups on defense got humiliated out there. This should have been a 20+ point win.
• Maybe the gambling moment of the year with the spread varying between 6-8 and Navy not kicking the PAT after their touchdown at the gun.