Talking Points
1. Pounding the rock: USF coach Willie Taggart said the best way to open up the offense against UConn would be to establish a solid rushing attack from the get-go. The Bulls did just that Friday night in their 17-14 win. Freshman running back Marlon Mack led the way with a career-high 31 carries for 103 yards and one touchdown. The ground game also helped open the Bulls' passing game. Quarterback Mike White finished 10-for-18 for 113 yards, one touchdown —- a 30-yarder to Rodney Adams — and one interception to earn a career-best passer rating of 115.5.
2. No, not again: For the second time this season, a game official referred to the Bulls as "UCF." With four seconds left in the first quarter, referee Todd LaPenta said "Timeout UCF" on the loudspeaker. That sparked an array of boos and chants of "U-S-F!" from the announced crowd of 28,273.
3. Yellow-card worthy? After UConn cornerback Byron Jones intercepted a pass late in the second quarter, White, who has a fractured left forearm, attempted a soccer-style slide tackle to knock Jones out of bounds. Though probably a smart decision by White to avoid further injury, it didn't work. Jones returned it 70 yards for the Huskies' lone touchdown of the first half.
Remember Me?
ESPN color commentator Danny Kanell, a Florida State quarterback from 1992-95, was reunited with ex-teammate and USF wide receivers coach Ron Dugans before the game. They were part of FSU's 1995 Orange Bowl-winning team.
All Atwitter
A few tweets from fans on Friday:
"#USF v. #UConn. In the rain. Tonight we find the outer bounds of what can still be called football." @GreenandGold56
"Empty stadium at kickoff? So polite of USF to make UConn feel at home." @NoEscalators
"I want to start winning so much that the referee will never forget what school this is. #WEARE #SOUTHFLORIDA #USF #GOBULLS" @pickel_probs
"I mean how many teams can say they've already matched their total wins from last year by week 4? 1-0 #AAC! #GoBulls #USF #LiveGreenAndGold" @GGonzalezJr
The Last Word
At least one Tampa football team showed up to play on national TV.