Not so Strong, Bulls 2 and 0
By Rick Sassone on September 2, 2017Tampa, Fla. – – The Bulls Charlie Strong version debut at home was, well, not so strong. But the old cliche, “a win’s a win” will have to apply in this situation. The 31-17 final was not very indicative of what happened on the field.
Visibly unhappy after the game, Charlie Strong has to at least be happy win a 2-0 record. After the lackluster start on the left coast last week at San Jose State followed up with a home opener of a dud with a thud, the Bulls must take their 2-0 record and, look forward to the UCONN Huskies.
Coach Strong approached the podium for the post-game presser with a stoic stance and started talking before questions were asked. A good move by an experienced coach letting us know that even in victory, the game was a stinker. I thought it was good move because it avoided the obvious stinker questions.
The Stony Brook Seawolves rolled into Raymond James Stadium prepared for this game. The Seawolves took a shocking 7-0 lead with under seven minutes left in the first quarter courtesy of a blocked punt and recovery for a TD by red shirt freshman from Commack, NY, Augie Contressa. The special team muscle flexed by the Seawolves left the rain soaked Bulls fan stunned.
Augie Contressa jumps on the pigskin for a special team 6 points (TRAVIS FAILEY PHOTO)
The Bulls tied the score as they took the ensuing drive 73 yards in 9 plays in just 2:08 as Darius Tice plowed in from the one and an Emilio Nadelman extra point tied the score at 7.
With Stony Brook leading 10-7 at the half, as I looked out at the sparse USF crowd that were still shaking off the early rain, I thought to myself, these are not the offensive fireworks they came to see.
Heisman candidate USF quarterback Quinton Flowers looked unHiesman-like, struggling with throws, not getting much room to run and basically, not moving the offense. An ugly interception to end the first possession of the second half and it looked as if Cinderella was alive and well, dressed as the Stony Brook Seawolves. But in the end, the final numbers may not look impressive but remember “a win’s a win.”
Flowers leadership in the last twenty-three minutes of the game went a long way with me.
Trailing on the board 10-7 with 7:51 left in the third quarter, Flowers engineered an 80-yard, 18 play TD drive in 5:08. The TD was a laser pass to the back of the endzone to Marquez Valdes-Scantling to put the Bulls ahead for the first time and it was for good.
USF tacked on a couple of Maybelline (cosmetic) TD’s and an Eadleman field goal to close it out down the stretch and the Bulls advance to 2-0.
“That’s our plan to win, play great defense.” CHARLIE STRONG (TRAVIS FAILEY PHOTO)
South Florida Passing
Tags: augie contressa, CHARLIE STRONG, Darius Tice, marquez Valdes-Scantling, Quinton Flowers, stony brook seawolves, usf bulls
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