After a slow start, all the Bulls' weapons come through in a surprisingly balanced attack.
By ROB BRANNON
Published September 7, 2003
TAMPA - For nearly 31/2 quarters, it was missing in action.
USF's offense disappeared around halftime a week earlier in the steamy Alabama afternoon, lost in the brutal sun and a sea of cramped legs. It remained dormant well into the second quarter Saturday against Nicholls State.
Then, as quickly as quarterback Ronnie Banks threw a 32-yard touchdown strike to Elgin Hicks, it erupted. The Bulls seemed suddenly to click, totaling 530 yards, fourth most in school history, and 27 points. It could have been a lot more if it weren't for a rash of miscues.
But maybe most encouraging for Bulls fans was the play of the team's biggest question going into the season. Banks, a junior in his second career start, threw for 288 yards on 16-for-31 passing with four touchdowns and one interception.
Maybe it was the presence of former USF standout Marquel Blackwell on the sideline, but Banks and his receivers seemed to be on the same page. Hicks, the beneficiary of two Banks touchdown passes, said he felt as if the passing game were starting to work.
"We didn't miss any days over the summer. We worked hard," Hicks said. "It's starting to pay off."
"These guys are veterans," Banks said of his receivers. "We talk, we communicate well."
It wasn't just the passing game that was impressive Saturday. USF had something on offense it hasn't had in recent memory: balance. The Bulls rushed for 242 yards in 42 carries. They ran nine more rushing plays than passing plays.
Those numbers were a big improvement on what the Bulls have done the past few seasons. In 2002 the team rushed for 134.6 yards per game. The Bulls gained 3.7 yards per carry, and four times they finished a game with less than 100 yards on the ground.
Saturday the Bulls had 5.8 yards per carry and more than 200 yards overall for the second time in the past two seasons. The punishing attack had an obvious effect on Nicholls State as the Colonels routinely had eight men in the box, leaving a lone safety to guard against a flow of receivers.
"They're going to be a sore football team, I promise you," USF coach Jim Leavitt said.
USF's success came in a run by committee attack featuring four backs with more than 20 yards. Leading the way were junior Clenton Crossley, who gained 85 yards, and senior Vince Brewer, who gained 78.
"We've got four different styles of running," Brewer said. "We could all go to other universities and (start)."
Crossley and Brewer credited the offensive line, which also kept Banks' uniform clean, not allowing a sack.
"We all get along together fine. We're confident," Brewer said.
