Monday, January 2, 2017

Bilo's Quick Birmingham Bowl Recap

USF 46, South Carolina 39 (OT)

USF blew an 18 point lead at one point, but survived in OT to beat South Carolina in Birmingham. With the win, the Bulls racked up a school record 11 win season, while South Carolina dropped to under .500 for the second season in a row, the first time that has happened since 2002-03.
Quinton Flowers continued his stellar season at QB for the Bulls, as he passed for 261 yards and 2 TDs, while he rushed for 105 yards and 3 TDs in the game. Flowers finished with 2812 yards and 24 TDs passing, and rushed for 1530 yards and another 18 TDs, yet was never mentioned in the Heisman race.
The Bulls also lead the nation in consecutive 30 point games, as this was their 17th straight game with 30 or more on the board. The Bulls are also in a transition period between Willie Taggart leaving for Oregon, while Charlie Strong is set to take over in 2017.
The loss snapped a 4 game bowl winning streak for the Gamecocks, as they had not lost a bowl game since 2010. South Carolina was plagued by turnovers in this game, notching 5 on the day, including 3 fumbles in the red zone, all inside the USF 10 yard line. Deebo Samuel did have a strong game for South Carolina, catching 14 passes for 190 yards, and he also caught his one and only TD of the year.
USF racked up 333 yards of offense by half time, but was held to just 28 yards in the 4th quarter as SC made their rally.
Jake Bentley completed 32/42 passes for 390 yards and 3 TDs, but also tossed a pick 6 in the loss.
Marlon Mack, who rushed for over 1100 yards for USF this season, was held to just 56 yards rushing in the win, and never scored.
South Carolina was held under 100 yards rushing (91) on 34 carries.

2017 Openers: USF at San Jose State (8/26); South Carolina vs. NC State @ Charlotte (9/2)

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