USF football analysis: Bulls beat UAB with late-game offensive flurry
At long last, the Bulls put together a second half.
It didn’t look pretty, for a while at least. The Bulls offense was sputtering until the third quarter, at one point even being subjected to a chorus of boos from the 28,154 in attendance at Raymond James Stadium.
USF was losing 9-7 at halftime and down 12 in the third-quarter – until a late game offensive barrage that saw four Bulls touchdowns in the final 21 minutes of play.
Related: USF takes down UAB 35-25 in second-half comeback
The Bulls nabbed their first American Athletic Conference win and snapped a three-game losing streak in a 35-25 win over the Blazers on Saturday.
The Bulls’ three-game nap carried over into the first half on Saturday. USF started the game with three straight punts, before having a 77-yard touchdown called back due to an illegal touching penalty.
Then, the Bulls offense finally woke up. So did their fifth-year running back.
Related: USF football at midseason: ‘Not good enough’
Kelley Joiner scored three second-half touchdowns – two on the ground and one through the air. He finished with 94 yards rushing and 34 receiving.
Bryce Archie also looked more comfortable in his second career start after failing to find the end zone against Memphis
He tossed 201 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. More than half of those yards went to sophomore wide receiver Keshaun Singleton.
Singleton finished with 105 yards on four receptions, including a season-long 67-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
The Blazers may have been a 1-5 team starting a backup quarterback, but a win is a win.
But does it feel good to require a second-half comeback to take down a team the Bulls were supposed to handedly defeat?
USF head coach Alex Golesh seems unwilling to modify his quick-tempo offense, even if it’s with a backup quarterback and injury-riddled offensive line. Only five of the Bulls’ 16 drives were over five plays.
It’s an offense that relies heavily on an efficient run game. The Bulls had 17 rushing yards in the first half – and 131 in the second.
Saturday’s win was crucial for USF’s postseason chances. With five games left, the Bulls are now three wins away from bowl eligibility.
USF has two more home games left on its schedule – including a visit from Navy, the Bulls’ third third ranked opponent this season.
Up next, USF will travel to FAU on Nov. 1 in hopes of avenging a 56-14 Homecoming loss last season.
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