USF defense looking to stop triple-option against Georgia Tech
Kirk Livingstone (94) hoists Greg Reaves (4) into the air in warm-ups before USF's 34-14 win over Elon. The Bulls take on Georgia Tech and its triple-option rushing attack this weekend at Raymond James Stadium. ORACLE PHOTO/SAM NEWLON
In college football, there are few guarantees.
However, one thing USF football is guaranteed to see Saturday at noon is Georgia Tech’s triple-option rushing attack in Raymond James Stadium.
The Bulls, however, feel ready, as they have prepared for the triple-option since the spring.
“Any time you’re going against something as unique as the triple-option, you have to be able to start the process and game planning for it early,” defensive coordinator Brian Jean-Mary said. “We just wanted to make sure we were familiar with some of the base formations.”
While the Yellow Jackets posted a 5-6 record in 2017, finishing third in the ACC Coastal, they still rushed for 3,622 yards, thanks to their triple-option offense. Georgia Tech returns its top-two rushers from last season, quarterback TaQuon Marshall and blocking back — which is similar to a fullback — KirVonte Benson, who each rushed for over 1,000 yards.
“I think it’s definitely a challenge that we’re up for,” defensive end Greg Reaves said. “Our coaches are doing an excellent job going over our jobs, going over our tasks. Basically just trying to put us in the right position to make plays, to feed off each other, to read off each other and feed off each other out there on Saturday.”
The triple-option isn’t going to be anything new to USF defensive veterans — AAC-opponent Navy employs a similar offensive scheme.
“Both are really great teams,” Reaves said. “It’s just really adjusting to the offense because it’s something that you don’t see every Saturday.”
Linebacker Khalid McGee agreed, but added that Georgia Tech is slightly different than the Navy team USF beat 52-45 in 2016.
“(Georgia Tech) is basically Navy with athletes,” McGee said. “We’re going at it with the same approach.”
Given that Georgia Tech’s run game is its bread-and-butter — and that the Yellow Jackets ran for 452 yards last weekend against Alcorn State — fans might be concerned with the number of rushing yards USF allowed last week.
The Bulls let Elon rush for 194 yards on Saturday. Only two teams rushed for more yards in a single game against USF last season, Tulane (194) and Houston (255).
Last week, USF’s game against Elon was shown on the online-only network ESPN3. This weekend, though, USF will be playing on national television on ABC and ESPN2.
“They’re going to be satisfied,” McGee said about the national audience. “They’re going to see a hard, 11-player defense, everyone running to the ball and a fast defense. They’re going to be satisfied.”
If McGee plays the way he did against Elon last Saturday, the satisfaction is sure to be mutual. McGee set a new career high with 11 tackles against the Phoenix.
USF has won five of its last six games against Power-Five opponents — including two Birmingham Bowl victories against South Carolina and Texas Tech. The last time the Bulls lost to a Power Five opponent was Florida State, then ranked No. 13, in 2016.
More Stories
USF campus ministers offer perspective on stadium development: ‘Exciting benefit of exposure.’
Take a tranquil stroll down Sycamore Drive. It’s a quieter part of campus, hidden away from the usual hustle and bustle of USF. It’s home to an area colloquially known as “Religious Row,” a collection of on-campus religious organizations. In just a few years – with the construction of an on-campus football stadium – the […]
Here’s why these USF softball players chose their jersey numbers
For athletes, the number they wear is more than the added fabric on the back of their jersey. It often tells a deeper story about the players — who they are and where they come from. Here’s why these three USF softball players chose their respective jersey numbers. Related: USF softball is gaining momentum during […]
USF football head coach Alex Golesh: The man behind the process
Football coach Alex Golesh said USF has been on his mind since his own days as a college student when the program was top five in the country. “I distinctly remember sitting there watching it and thinking ‘What is S Florida and what are they doing in the top five in the country?’” Golesh said. […]
USF baseball matches last season’s wins at midseason
USF baseball has reached its midseason, powering through a turnaround year. Despite losing to Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday 7-5, It has already won 21 games, matching the same total from last season with a road victory against Tulane on Sunday. The Bulls (21-16, 7-5 AAC) stand third out of 10 teams in the conference. […]
USF men’s basketball was gutted by the transfer portal. Here’s who remains on the roster.
Things move pretty quickly in this new world of college basketball thanks in large part to the explosion of the transfer portal. Less than a month removed from a second round exit in the National Invitation Tournament, USF men’s basketball looks a lot different than it did in mid-March. In the span of a […]
USF softball is gaining momentum during season’s final stretch
As the USF softball season draws to a close, it seems the team has found some momentum. The Bulls (30-16, 9-9 AAC) have won six of its last seven games. In the last nine days, they have won their last two conference series and stunned the then-ranked No.9 Florida Gators on Wednesday. USF had yet […]