USF sees opportunity to get respect with a victory over Maryland
TAMPA -- The biggest thing missing in Willie Taggart's three years at USF is a signature victory.
The Bulls head football coach gets arguably his best chance when USF visits Maryland for a Saturday noon kickoff. Granted, the Terps don't scare many opponents, but they are a Power Five Conference school that plays (can you believe it?) in the Big Ten.
Under Taggart, USF has stayed with many big opponents but always fell short in the second half. It happened again last week in a 34-14 loss to Florida State. It also happened in a home loss to Maryland last year.
The Bulls (1-1) have done what many expected this season. They beat Florida A&M and lost to FSU. Maryland is a chance to support the argument around the program that the 2015 USF football team is much improved from the previous 2-10 and 4-8 seasons.
"I believe this team believes that they can win every ballgame they play," Taggart said. "It's just a matter of going out and getting it done. We need one of those big wins and it's great opportunity for us this week."
The game will test the mettle of USF quarterback Quinton Flowers, who will be making his fourth start. He has proven to be mobile and successful with his short medium range passes, but hasn't been able to stretch the field vertically and take advantage of his athletic set of receivers.
For the first half, the Bulls will miss Augie Sanchez, their inspirational leader on defense. The linebacker was ejected last week for an illegal hit and has to sit out the first two quarters. However, USF gets back Nigel Harris and Tashon Whitehurst, who were suspended for the first two games for violation of team rules.
USF has never beaten a Big Ten opponent and lost 24-17 at home to Maryland last season despite the Terrapins' six turnovers. The turning point came in the fourth quarter when Maryland blocked a Bulls punt for a touchdown and wiped out a 17-14 deficit.
Maryland (1-1) lost 48-27 to Bowling Green last week. The Terrapins are averaging 248.5 yards per game rushing, but their pass defense was porous against the Falcons, allowing 491 yards and six touchdowns. It puts the onus on Flowers, who has yet to show he can throw down field with consistency.
"We need to get our receivers more involved and not just because of what Bowling Green did to these guys, just because of the fact that's what we need to do," Taggart said. "We've got some pretty good receivers. We've got to get them involved in what we are doing."
The Bulls' leading receivers are running backs D'Ernest Johnson and Marlon Mack, who have combined for 15 receptions. The leading wide receiver is Chris Barr with four catches for 38 yards.
Maryland's William Likely leads the nation in punt returns for touchdowns (2), punt return yardage (315) and punt returns (10), while ranking fifth nationally by averaging 31.5 yards per punt return. He has four career touchdowns on punt returns.
"He's up there in the Devin Hester-type guys, guys that when you get the ball he's dangerous every time," Taggart said. "It's not a fluke what we're seeing. We're seeing a guy that's a specialist back there."
Caleb Rowe has taken over at quarterback for Maryland and the redshirt junior has thrown 12 TD passes in 15 career games. He started last year until he was lost for the season with an injury.
Bulls defensive coordinator Tom Allen has faith in his unit, which is ranked second nationally averaging 11 tackles for loss per game. USF is also tied for 13th nationally with seven sacks.
Sophomore Bruce Hector is tied for 17th nationally with four tackles for loss. Harris led the nation in forced fumbles last year.
"We've got six or eight guys (defensive line) who can rotate in there and play hard," Allen said. "We want them to be in an attack mode. They're quick and athletic. I think the system fits them fine."
This story was originally published September 19, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "USF sees opportunity to get respect with a victory over Maryland."