Haiku and Postgame Thoughts: USF 42, San Jose State 22

Down sixteen-zip
We were pretty worried. But
no need to panic.

The Charlie Strong era did not get off to an auspicious start. USF’s offense needed time to get rolling, while the special teams gifted San Jose State 10 early points. But the Bulls had a huge talent advantage, and eventually they got out of their own way and took control.

• Quinton Flowers came out of the game in the middle of the fourth quarter with the game in hand. Final stats: 11-for-23 for 212 yards passing and two touchdowns, 70 yards rushing on 18 carries with a score.
• D’Ernest Johnson just missed a 100-yard game. He had 99 yards on 22 carries and scored twice.
• Darnell Salomon scored his first collegiate touchdown to put USF on the board in the second quarter.
• USF ran a school-record 101 offensive plays. It’s the first time they have ever topped 100 plays in a game. They also set a school record with 74 rushing attempts.
• Jonathan Hernandez punted 11 times (not counting the one that got blocked), which is the most ever by a USF player.
• Marquez Valdes-Scantling caught six passes for 91 yards.
• Ronnie Hoggins led the Bulls with eight tackles. Kirk Livingstone got the only sack of the evening for USF. Nico Sawtelle, Devin Abraham, and Mazzi Wilkins each had interceptions.
• Ethan Aguayo had 14 tackles for the Spartans. Bailey Gaither had 100 receiving yards and both San Jose State touchdowns.

More to come from Collin and his crew in San Jose. Comments below.