USF Football Spring Practice Recap: Scrimmage Saturday

With the threat of rain fast approaching, the USF football team used the Saturday practice to scrimmage against each other like they’ve done the previous two weekends.

And like the previous two weekends, the offense had the better day overall. The media saw the very, very end of practice.

We were told the defense started very hot with pick-6’s from DE Josh Black and nickel corner Ronnie Hoggins before the offense settled in and gained chunk play after chunk play.

“The offense was able to settle down and they were able to move the ball,” head coach Charlie Strong said. “It’s going to come down to the quarterback position. The quarterback has got to direct this offense. We have enough tools around them and today we were able to make some of those throws.”

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Chris Oladokun rushed for over 100-yards in the scrimmage today.

“He’s very athletic. If the rush breaks down, he’s quick enough to get to the outside and he can outrun some guys and make them miss,’ Strong said.

Strong said the defense must do better in the red zone which was a problem area for them in 2017. Opposing defenses scored on 27-of-31 trips inside the USF 20-yard line, twenty of which ended in touchdowns.

That included six times combined against C. and the glorified community college in Lubbock in the Birmingham Bowl.

“You just can’t give up the scores we gave up. Even though we got the two pick-6’s early, right after that it was big play after big play. And in the red zone you have to be able to stop people.

Strong Addresses Brooks Larkin

ICYMI, now-former offensive lineman Brooks Larkin took to Twitter yesterday with some explosive comments regarding offensive line coach Matt Mattox and Strong was asked for his reaction.

These are Strong’s comments in full:

“No, (because) you know what? This team and even with our coaching staff, we’re always going to do things the right way and I think we know how to develop players and it’s all about player development. And that happens a lot of times. That’s going to happen to you where a player gets disgruntled, but we have to continue to coach the guys we got and just make them better.”

Were you surprised?

“It always surprises you when someone’s a part of your team.”

Larkin said he had a conversation with you and waited for Mattox who did not show:

“I have no idea [about waiting for 25 minutes]. I met with him and that’s all that matters. He met with the head coach..It went well [regarding how the meeting went].”

Mattox was not made available for comment after practice.

Right tackle Marcus Norman had this to say after the scrimmage today:

The shade is real here, folks.