Bulls power to big win over Big Ten foe

TAMPA — A quirky NFL stipulation precluded USF from having the Raymond James Stadium end zones adorned with their logo Friday, and perhaps the barrenness was fitting.

This was a blank-slate game if there ever was one, a chance for arguably the most maligned 2-0 team in America to start fresh.

With Floridians desperate for a post-Irma pick-meup, USF had incentive, inspiration (a packed student section) and an ESPN audience.

What did the Bulls deliver? How about 14 first-half penalties and two of their own kicks blocked (one leading to a scoop-andscore), with some offensive pep interspersed.

Final: No. 22 Bulls 47, Illinois 23. A victorious performance, even an impressive one by night's end. Just not quite a command one (unless you're referring to the defense).

On a night when they could’ve bowled over the nation, the Bulls (3-0) left us split: Just how much progress is the offense making, and how much did it simply overwhelm a young and inferior foe?

While you ponder that question (and take into account the Bulls had only three days of practice), we'll go to a topic in need of no deliberation: The defense is progressing more noticeably than the offense.

Subtract freshman Mike Epstein's 45-yard TD run on an apparently missed gap, and USF held the Illini (2-1) to 95 first-half yards. Illinois was 3-of-11 on third downs after three quarters. Two more interceptions (by cornerback Ronnie Hoggins, safety Tajee Fullwood and linebacker Keirston Johnson) gave USF eight in three games. Anyone who endured last year's blown assignments and brittle tackling knows this unit is making strides.

As for Quinton Flowers and Co.? Getting there. Brandishing a bit more creativity than it had in its first two games, USF amassed nearly 700 total yards, and produced three 100-yard rushers for the second time ever. There were jet sweeps, stacked-receiver formations and even a TD pass to tailback D'Ernest Johnson on a wheel route (circa 2016).