USF Football Goes Out With A Whimper 34-7 to UCF in War On I-4

The 2019 South Florida Bulls football season is mercifully over after USF was smacked 34-7 against UCF in the War on I-4 Friday night inside Spectrum Stadium. Now the clock starts on the “Will Charlie Strong get fired?” question.

“Let me tell you this, I know how to win. I’ve been part of two championship teams (UF 2006, 2008), I’ve won championships, and I have a good coaching staff,” Strong said after the game. “We ended up 7-6 last season, a winning season, and [this year] we ended up having the first [losing season]. So I don’t worry about that.

Since USF started 7-0 last season, they are 4-14, including dropping their final six in 2018, and final four in 2019. It’s still unclear if Strong actually does know how to win anymore.

Strong has had the benefit of transcendent quarterbacks (Tebow, Bridgewater, and Flowers) to help his teams win a lot of games. It remains to be seen if a mere mortal quarterback can help him win.

USF (4-8) was shutout in the first half for the third time this season, and failed to score a touchdown in the first half of a game for the sixth time this season.

Redshirt freshman Jordan McCloud finished 9-of-21 for 116 yards and two interceptions. Running back Johnny Ford rushed for 58 yards and score in his first game back from a two month suspension.

USF’s defense gave up 200 yards rushing for the seventh time this season, and third straight game.

The Bulls are still so far behind their rivals in Oviedo, and the gap will not close with Strong still here. Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly will have a hard time sleeping tonight as he weighs his options.

“I have no idea,” Strong said when asked if he will be back next year.