USF Bulls: A Look Back At A Sold Out Spring Game

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Well, one of the best things about spring is we are getting closer to football starting. The USF Bulls had their spring game this past Saturday. Under a beautiful blue and cloudless sky, we got to see what the team could be this upcoming fall. One of the best aspects is the game was sold out there were 5,168 fans that surrounded Corbett Stadium. The stadium normally hosts soccer and lacrosse. The band and cheerleaders got the crowd excited as the game was about to start. To me, the game got off to a slow start, but it got better from there. Unlike last year, the teams were split up between green and white. The defense shined in this spring game. Jhalyn Shuler had 12 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 2.5 tackles for loss.

The USF Bulls will be counting on him to do this as we are just four months away from the start of the 2024 season. The fans also got to see where the new on-campus stadium will be. The other defensive stars that shined were Brent Austin who is a transfer from James Madison, Tavin Ward, Amaris Brown-Bunkley, Zavier Hamilton, and Rico Watson. Starting quarterback Byrum Brown only played two series he went 3 for 3 for 13 yards. Freshman Izzy Carter was the best of the bunch. He went 12 for 23 for 123 yards and one touchdown. That one touchdown came in the fourth quarter that had a running clock.

Photo Credit: Bradley Walker NGSC Sports

The white team got on the board first. It was a trick play that we might see during the season to wide receiver Sean Atkins who set many program records. Atkins threw a pass to another returning Bull in Kelley Joiner. The two hooked up for a 16-yard touchdown pass. In 2023 Atkins went 4 for 4 for 149 yards and a touchdown. The white team took a 10-0 lead on a 45-yard field goal. Most of the time special teams are not a big part of the spring game. The kickoffs were just the kicker or punter and one returner no blockers were on the field. The only point the green team scored came in the third quarter on a 45-yard touchdown pass. Carter hit Christian Helms that concluded a five-play 50-yard drive.

The green team also tried a field goal attempt that went wide right. The USF Bulls have 20 returning starters nine on offense, nine on defense, and two on special teams. The two biggest returns on offense both broke program records last year in Bryum Brown and Sean Atkins. Three of the defensive stars that are coming back are Jhalyn Shuler, Logan Berryhill, and Tramel Logan. Logan tied a USF record with three defensive touchdowns in 2023. This is all good for the upcoming 2024 season. The season starts on August 31st at home at Raymond James Stadium versus the Bethune Cookman Wildcats. After the home start, they have two road games the first will be against the Alabama Crimson Tide and then the Southern Miss Eagles. All the fans are excited that the USF Bulls could be a playoff team in 2024.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming USF Bulls season?

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