Gasparilla Bowl journal: Barnett-St. Felix connection shines

TAMPA — Not coincidentally, Bulls QB Blake Barnett's return to action resulted in Randall St. Felix's return to form.

"We have a good chemistry," the redshirt freshman receiver said.

It was brandished extensively on a waterlogged evening. In what would prevail as USF's solitary Gasparilla Bowl bright spot, St. Felix set a Bulls postseason and bowl-game record with 165 receiving yards (on six receptions) in Thursday's 38-20 loss.

The six receptions were one more than St. Felix totaled in his team's previous six games, some of which Barnett missed or played hurt. He was still nursing right ankle and calf injuries Thursday night, but had enough crispness and clairvoyance with St. Felix to convert some solid hookups.

They included a 33-yard touchdown on a simple post route late in the third quarter, cutting the Bulls' deficit to 31-20.

"We had that chemistry all year," said St. Felix, who finished the year with 33 receptions and four touchdowns. "And during the bowl-week practice, we were hitting that post all week."

NO SALOMON SIGHTING: Once again, veteran WR Darnell Salomon didn't play, perpetuating the mystery surrounding his status. Salomon has 57 total receptions the past two seasons, but has not made a catch since the Tulane contest.

Afterward, Coach Charlie Strong wouldn't clarify his status. "We'll have a chance to talk about that when we start back up in January," he said.

ODDS AND ENDS: Marshall outscored its opponents 101-39 in the first quarter this season. The Thundering Herd have won their last 18 games in which they've scored first. … Bulls PK Coby Weiss converted his final nine field goals of the season including two more Thursday. None of those nine, however, were longer than 37 yards. … Bulls TE Mitch Wilcox, who reaffirmed after Thursday's game that he's in the process of having his NFL draft status evaluated, finished with three receptions. If he doesn't return for a final season, his career will end with 72 catches, three shy of Sean Price's all-time record for a USF tight end. … Bulls LB Greg Reaves' 14 tackles tied a Gasparilla Bowl record. … USF finished with 3,173 passing yards, a program single-season record. … Bulls WR Zion Roland and senior DT Kevin Bronson also didn't suit up Thursday night.

AUDIBLE: "I think there were a lot of ups and downs. There are a lot of things I know I could've done better. I'm in a different situation with being so old, but this is also my first year of playing. So just being able to learn off it, and I think that was a great thing for me personally about this season, that I was able to learn a lot about myself, about football in general." — Barnett, who finished 7-4 as Bulls starter in his first year in Tampa