Basics
Coach: Skip Holtz (8-5, second year at USF; 80-55 overall)
2010 record: 8-5, 3-4 in Big East
Conference: Big East
Radio: 970-AM (Tampa)
Website: GoUSFbulls.com
Area players
Chris Breit, FB, Jr., Plant*; Spencer Cavalieri, FB, Jr., Gaither*; Mattias Ciabatti, PK, Fr., Hillsborough*; Andre Davis, WR, Fr., Jefferson; Rony Delisca, DE, Sr., Wharton*; Mak Djulbegovic, OL, Fr., Carrollwood Day*; Cody Durakovic, DE, So., Sickles*; Jordan Duval, WR, Fr., Hillsborough*; Ryan Eppes, QB, So., Largo*; Bobby Eveld, QB, So., Jesuit; Julius Forte, DE, So., Boca Ciega; Ruben Garcia, LB, Fr., Durant*; Ryne Giddins, DE, So., Armwood; Ruben Gonzalez, WR, Fr., Robinson; Tyler Guy, TE, Fr., Freedom*; Chaz Hine, OG, Sr., Newsome; JaQuez Jenkins, S, So., Lakewood; Lindsey Lamar, WR, Jr., Hillsborough; Mike McFarland, TE, Fr., Blake*; Joel Miller, WR, Sr., Wharton; Terrence Mitchell, WR, So., Hillsborough; Mark Popek, OT, Jr., Plant City; Tyler Robb, DB, Fr., Tampa Catholic*; Armando Sanchez, LB, Jr., Northeast; Andreas Shields, TE, Jr., Wharton; Jake Smith, OL, Fr., Bloomingdale*; Mike Walsh, LS, Sr., Plant; William Whiteside, WR, Fr., Chamberlain*; Justin Wilcox, RB, So., Freedom*; Mike York, OL, Fr., Plant City*; Jerrell Young, S, Sr., Gibbs.
* walk-on ** sitting out as transfer
Position analysis
QUARTERBACK
B.J. Daniels has the comfort of working in the same offense for consecutive years — and with more confidence in Bobby Eveld as a backup, USF will let Daniels run more, making him more of the dual threat he was as a freshman.
RUNNING BACK
There are high expectations for juniors Demetris Murray and Darrell Scott, the latter a transfer from Colorado who was once the No. 1 running back recruit in the nation. Expect more of a traditional running game.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Three starters from last year are gone, and Chaz Hine slides from guard to center. Pressure's on two new tackles, junior Mark Popek and redshirt freshman Quinterrius Eatmon. Guard Jeremiah Warren has the most career starts of any Bulls player, with 26.
RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
Perhaps USF's most improved position, with A.J. Love and Sterling Griffin back after missing 2010 with injuries. Expect a big splash from freshmen Andre Davis and Ruben Gonzalez, as well as redshirt freshman Deonte Welch. Evan Landi makes the transition from WR to TE this fall.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Three starters from last year made NFL preseason rosters, but there's excitement about sophomore DE Ryne Giddins, a former Parade All-American. Cory Grissom and Keith McCaskill have experience in the middle, but watch for true freshman Elkino Watson.
LINEBACKERS
Perhaps USF's best position — junior Sam Barrington and sophomore DeDe Lattimore shined as first-year starters, and the Bulls go about six deep, with junior Mike Lanaris likely starting in the middle.
SECONDARY
Safety is another strength with returning starters Jon Lejiste and Jerrell Young, and Quenton Washington is a potential draft pick at cornerback. This could be a breakout year for junior corner Kayvon Webster in his first year as a full-time starter, and St. Petersburg's JaQuez Jenkins can help out at safety and corner.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Maikon Bonani had the most accurate field-goal season in school history in 2010. The punting job is a tossup between veteran Justin Brockhaus-Kann and true freshman walk-on Mattias Ciabatti of Hillsborough.
Greg Auman, Times staff writer
Raymond James Stadium
Capacity: 65,890.
Tickets: Season tickets (seven games) start at $65, with individual tickets available. For information, go to GoUSFbulls.com or call the ticket office toll-free at 1-800-462-8557.
Sept. 17
vs.
Florida A&M
7 p.m., BHSN
Sept. 10
vs.
Ball State
7 p.m., BHSN
Sept. 3
at
Notre Dame
3:30 p.m., Ch. 8
Oct. 15
at
UConn
TBA
Sept. 29
at
Pittsburgh
8 p.m., ESPN
Sept. 24
vs.
UTEP
TBA
Nov. 11
at
Syracuse
8 p.m., ESPN2
Nov. 5
at
Rutgers
TBA
oct. 22
vs.
Cincinnati
Noon
Dec. 1
vs.
West Virginia
8 p.m., ESPN
Nov. 25
vs.
Louisville
TBA
Nov. 19
vs.
Miami
TBA
Loading...