:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51191961/usa-today-9583184.0.jpg)
Coming off a 45-20 win against Cincinnati on Saturday head coach Willie Taggart, DB Nate Godwin and WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling spoke with the media and reflected on the win and look ahead to the game vs ECU on Saturday.
Godwin on halftime at Cincy:
"I think we just had to feel them out a little bit." about the adjustments made at halftime at Cincy
— The Daily Stampede (@StampedeSBN) October 4, 2016
Godwin confirmed @CoachWoodie lit into defense at halftime Saturday. "He got loud." #USF
— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) October 4, 2016
Whatever DC Raymond Woodie said in the locker room worked. The defense created turnovers on three-straight drives in the third quarter capped by CB Johnny Ward returning an interception 11 yards for a touchdown and pitched a second half shutout.
Taggart was happy with the defensive effort:
"Starting to look like the Bull Shark defense we all know," Taggart said after the defense recorded 3 turnovers & a pick-6.
— The Daily Stampede (@StampedeSBN) October 4, 2016
Taggart knows they have their hands full on Saturday when ECU QB Phillip Nelson and his go-to target WR Zay Jones come to Tampa. Nelson is questionable for the game but has put up impressive numbers completing 70% of his passes for 1,753 yards and 11 TDs to 4 INTs. Jones is first in the FBS with 66 catches and fourth in yards with 695. He only has two TD’s though.
ECU is "a good football team that can score a lot of points." WR Zay Jones "one of the best WR I've seen in this conference"
— The Daily Stampede (@StampedeSBN) October 4, 2016
Valdes-Scantling on noon games:
Note about noon kickoffs: @USFFootball practices in the a.m., usually finishes around 11:15. "Not anything different for us," @MVS__11 said
— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) October 4, 2016
"We're ready to at any time, 5 am, 6 am," MVS said about noon kicks.
— The Daily Stampede (@StampedeSBN) October 4, 2016
What hurricane?
"We plan on playing, as long as it's not lightning, we're gonna play," Taggart said about #HurricaneMatthew affecting the game.
— The Daily Stampede (@StampedeSBN) October 4, 2016
USF spokesman Brian Siegrist said there are no current contingency plans about rescheduling the game but the school will monitor the situation.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7218555/hurricane%20matthew.png)
Injury news:
DT Bruce Hector was in pads today and looked like he practiced.
— Nathan Bond (@BullsNathanSBN) October 4, 2016
CB Deatrick Nichols was in a red non-contact jersey.
Concussion protocol?
Taggart is looking forward to CB Deatrick Nichols playing Saturday*
— The Daily Stampede (@StampedeSBN) October 4, 2016
*Take with grain of salt
We’ve been burned before...
Godwin breaks the news that Devin Abraham hurt his hand and he will step into the SS role.
— The Daily Stampede (@StampedeSBN) October 4, 2016
Devin Abraham had surgery on his broken thumb today. Unknown which hand . He had a couple screws put in, "But we heal differently, baby"
— The Daily Stampede (@StampedeSBN) October 4, 2016
Look at Godwin doing our job for us. What a mensch.