USF Football Covers Spread, Gets Steamrolled by Houston Cougars 42-27

The South Florida Bulls dropped yet another game under head coach Jeff Scott, this time a 42-27 decision against the Houston Cougars to eliminate the Bulls from bowl eligibility. This is Scott’s 25th loss in 29 career games at USF.

USF’s offense clicked early on in the first quarter behind running back Brian Battie’s two rushing scores, and looked potent enough with backup quarterback Katravis Marsh filling in for the injured Gerry Bohanon who was lost for the year two weeks ago.

With the game tied at 14-14 in the second quarter, Scott decided to settle for a 38-yard field goal attempt on 4th and 5 from the Cougars 21. Kicker Spencer Shrader missed the kick wide right, and Houston marched down the field for a touchdown to take the lead for good. The Bulls (1-7, 0-4 AAC) went for it on 4th and 9 on the next drive, but Marsh’s throw was behind WR Xavier Weaver and Houston marched down the field again for a touchdown.

“We were trading scores and if I would’ve known that we would’ve missed the field goal, then they continued to score, I wish we would’ve went for it,” Scott said.

USF’s defense hasn’t stopped a nosebleed in 2022, and it was much of the same again on Saturday. Scott’s in-game decision making hasn’t improved in three years [Ed. Note: Super editorializing here.]

The Cougars racked up 490 yards of offense, and averaged 7.7 yards per play. QB Clayton Tune was 31-for-37 and threw for 380 yards and four touchdowns. Star receiver (and too tiny for USF) Tank Dell had nine catches for 112 yards and two scores.

USF travels to Temple next week. The game is set for 2 p.m. on ESPN+.

Notables

• Brian Battie finished with 106 yards rushing, two TD, and added four catches for 47 yards.
• WR Xavier Weaver finished with seven receptions for 84 yards. He’s now inside the top-5 in career yards at USF.
• Katravis Marsh was 24-for 34 for 275 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t turn the ball over today.