Strength in Unity.

[Thugger Jackson]

Carpenter Commits to UCF as Johnson, Robinson Confirm Commitment Date
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports USF Insider

Three-star offensive lineman Victor Carpenter out of Jacksonville has committed to the UCF Golden Knights over the USF Bulls.

According to reports, Carpenter was advised by the USF staff to consider his options when he attempted to commit to the Bulls back in October. This led to Carpenter setting up an official visit to Orlando this past weekend where he was in attendance for UCF's upset over USF.

USF got some better news that cornerbacks Sid Robinson and Corey Johnson won't be committing until National Signing Day after releasing a top two Pitt and USF for Robinson and Indiana and the Bulls for Johnson. With a full two months and change, USF's coaching staff will be able to put together one of it's patented 11th-hour pushes to get the deal done with head coach Malcolm Francois likely being more involved in the process once the season is in the rearview mirror.

2023 USF Recruiting Class
HB David Fuller [HB #3]: 6'0", 205lbs | Mableton, GA | 5-star | 4.44 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press, 330 Squat
HB Derrick Green [HB #4]: 5'11", 205lbs | Schriever, LA | 5-star | 4.48 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press, 330 Squat
OLB Travis Hughes [OLB #1]: 6'5", 211lbs | Miami, FL | 5-star | 4.54 40-yd dash, 380 Bench Press, 580 Squat
DB Jake Lott [ATH #21]: 6'1", 205lbs | Dyersburg, TN | 4-star | 4.42 40-yd dash, 255 Bench Press, 325 Squat
QB Nick Williams [QB #4]: 6'5", 205lbs | Orlando, FL | 4-star | 4.74 40-yd dash, 295 Bench Press, 265 Squat
WR Shane Peterson [WR #26]: 6'0", 183lbs | Pensacola, FL | 4-star | 4.46 40-yd dash, 305 Bench Press, 270 Squat
G Bobby Davis [G #8]: 6'2", 309lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | 4.82 40-yd dash, 440 Bench Press, 595 Squat
WR David Ryan [WR #31]: 6'1", 208lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | 4.38 40-yd dash, 259 Bench Press, 220 Squat
ILB Dallas Gross [LB #22]: 6'0", 234lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | 4.76 40-yd dash, 420 Bench Press, 655 Squat
T Darryl Williams [T #14]: 6'8", 287lbs | Tampa, FL | 3-star | 4.70 40-yd dash, 455 Bench Press, 595 Squat
ATH Ryne Fox [ATH #51]: 6'5", 265lbs | Miami, FL | 3-star | 4.90 40-yd dash, 360 Bench Press, 335 Squat
DT Gary Griffin [DT #35]: 6'6", 265lbs | Marathon, FL | 3-star | 5.14 40-yd dash, 370 Bench Press, 610 Squat
ILB Dan Miller [ILB #41]: 6'2", 235lbs | Naples, FL | 3-star | 4.82 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press, 640 Squat
OLB Brandon Walker [OLB #34]: 6'1", 224lbs | Orlando, FL | 3-star | 4.70 40-yd dash, 425 Bench Press, 610 Squat
DT Marcus McCauley [DT #99]: 6'2", 270lbs | Sebring, FL | 3-star | 5.12 40-yd dash, 405 Bench Press, 535 Squat
C Craig Williams [C #32]: 6'4", 289lbs | Tampa, FL | 3-star | 5.18 40-yd dash, 405 Bench Press, 555 Squat
P Marcus McClelland [P #11]: 6'0", 208lbs | Redlands, CA | 3-star | 5.28 40-yd dash, 190 Bench Press, 300 Squat

2023 USF Recruiting Board
CB Sid Robinson [CB #4]: 6'1", 181lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4-star | USF, Pittsburgh
CB Corey Johnson [CB #11]: 5'11", 179lbs | Winter Haven, FL | 4-star | USF, Indiana
WR Steve Townsend [WR #91]: 6'1", 181lbs | Wells Branch, TX | 3-star | USF, Kansas State, Air Force, Marshall, Cal
K Kevin Justice [K #23]: 6'0", 160lbs | Cahaba Heights, AL | 2-star | USF, Auburn, Navy, Ohio State, Michigan
------------------------------
P Darryl Adams [P #13]: 5'10", 161lbs | Hoffman Estates, IL | 3-star | Committed to Tulsa | USF, BYU, FAU, South Alabama
K Craig Tyree [K #8]: 6'2", 191lbs | Fort Stockton, TX | 3-star | Committed to Stanford | USF, SMU, Texas A&M, Houston
G Victor Carpenter [G #83]: 6'0", 282lbs | Jacksonville, FL | 3-star| Committed to UCF | USF
ATH Troy Bell [ATH #19]: 6'0", 187lbs | Delaware, OH | 4-star | Temple, Western Michigan

[Thugger Jackson]

Championship Game Preview: #18 Kansas State Wildcats
Record: 9-3, 5-3 Big XII
Head Coach: Kevin Sherrer (45-21 at Kansas State, 5th year, 54-25)

Team Leaders
Passing: Ryan Poole (60% completion, 1895 yards, 19 TD, 5 INT, 142.2 QB rating)
Rushing: Antoine Jefferson (1254 yards, 6.8 ypc, 12 TD)
Receiving: Brent Murray (71 receptions, 873 yards, 6 TD)
Defense: Leonard Smith (55 tackles, 17 TFL, 6.5 sacks)

Team Rankings
Total Offense: 26th
Total Defense: 28th
Points Per Game: 20th
Turnover Differential: 71st

Injuries
HB Mark Garrett, Rs So. | 5'8", 202lbs | 73 ovr, 88 spd, 99 acc, 60 car
C Chris Williams, Rs Jr. | 6'3", 270lbs | 80 ovr, 78 str, 83 pbk, 83 rbk
OLB Greg Mitchell, Rs Jr. | 6'1", 217lbs | 74 ovr, 80 spd, 84 acc, 71 tkl, 71 bsh

Kansas State Wildcats Projected Starters
QB Ryan Poole, Rs Sr. | 6'2", 227lbs | 85 ovr, 84 spd, 83 thp, 84 tha
HB Antoine Jefferson, Rs Sr. | 5'10", 215lbs | 86 ovr, 86 spd, 87 acc, 89 btk, 80 car, 87 trk
WR Brent Murray, Rs Sr. | 6'4", 213lbs | 79 ovr, 92 spd, 81 acc, 78 cth
WR Jamaal Franklin, Rs Sr. | 6'4", 221lbs | 78 ovr, 83 spd, 69 acc, 87 cth
WR Gerren Sims, Rs Sr. | 6'3", 207lbs | 77 ovr, 91 spd, 82 acc, 81 cth
TE Jay McDonald, Rs Sr. | 6'3", 269lbs | 87 ovr, 83 spd, 87 acc, 77 cth, 84 rbk
LT T.J. Smith, Jr. | 6'3", 337lbs | 76 ovr, 81 str, 85 pbk, 78 rbk
LG Brad Sullivan, Rs So. | 6'6", 309lbs | 73 ovr, 80 str, 85 pbk, 77 rbk
C Reggie Schmidt, Jr. | 6'5", 285lbs | 87 ovr, 78 str, 84 pbk, 82 rbk
RG Bo Moore, Rs Jr. | 6'7", 315lbs | 74 ovr, 77 str, 79 pbk, 80 rbk
RT Nathan Bergstrand, Sr. | 6'3", 286lbs | 79 ovr, 84 str, 80 pbk, 81 rbk
---------------------
DE Keon Reed, Rs Sr. | 6'3", 252lbs | 85 ovr, 69 spd, 80 acc, 77 str, 87 pmv, 83 fmv, 92 bsh
DE Leonard Smith, Rs Sr. | 6'5", 250lbs | 84 ovr, 66 spd, 80 acc, 86 str, 86 pmv, 78 fmv, 91 bsh
NT Javon McClelland, Jr. | 6'5", 317lbs | 71 ovr, 82 str, 79 pmv, 77 bsh
OLB Lorenzo Alexander, Rs So. | 6'0", 231lbs | 74 ovr, 84 spd, 87 acc, 82 tkl, 74 bsh
ILB Josh Craft, Rs Jr. | 6'0", 235lbs | 81 ovr, 81 spd, 97 acc, 78 tkl, 83 bsh
ILB Rashaun Barclay, Rs Jr. | 6'1", 237lbs | 80 ovr, 89 spd, 89 acc, 72 tkl, 83 bsh
OLB Dwayne Johnson, So. | 6'3", 239lbs | 80 ovr, 89 spd, 86 acc, 78 tkl, 80 bsh
CB Joshua Herman, Rs Sr. | 6'2", 184lbs | 85 ovr, 89 spd, 88 acc, 96 mcv, 90 zcv, 99 press
CB Ray Horner, Jr. | 5'10", 183lbs | 78 ovr, 88 spd, 85 acc, 86 mcv, 89 zcv, 80 press
S Kurt Tucker, So. | 6'4", 214lbs | 72 ovr, 91 spd, 89 acc, 73 zcv, 71 tkl
S Alonzo Weatherford, So. | 6'0", 193lbs | 82 ovr, 87 spd, 89 acc, 78 zcv, 84 tkl

[Thugger Jackson]

-----------------------------------------------
#9 USF (11-2, 8-1) | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 || 15
#18 KSU (9-2, 5-4) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 || 3
-----------------------------------------------

Henry Injured, McFarland Benched as Bulls Win Big 12 Championship vs. Kansas State
It wasn't the most impressive performance but after getting upset by bitter rival UCF, Malcolm Francois will take it.

Ricky Turner nailed five field goals -- three from over 50 yards -- as the Bulls defense dominated the Kansas State Wildcats en route to a 15-3 victory.

Heisman candidate Troy Henry left the game in the very first quarter with an apparent chest injury and did not return. Two interceptions later, USF quarterback Mike McFarland was benched for James Pittman.

With a new looking backfield, the Bulls offense only managed to put up 281 yards of total offense. It was still more than what Kansas State was able to accomplish as they converted just one third down the entire game.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
[USF] R. Turner, 53 Yd FG (1:37)

Quarter 2
[USF] R. Turner, 43 Yd FG (5:34)
[KSU] J. Williams, 26 Yd FG (0:40)

Quarter 3
[USF] R. Turner, 48 Yd FG (5:24)
[USF] R. Turner, 55 Yd FG (2:02)

Quarter 4
[USF] R. Turner, 53 Yd FG (1:54)
----------------------------------------------------------------
South Florida Bulls
QB Mike McFarland, Rs Fr: 9 of 13, 61 yards, 2 interceptions.
QB James Pittman, Rs So: 8 of 14, 52 yards, 9 carries, 62 yards.
HB Gerald Mitchell, Fr: 16 carries, 47 yards.
HB Greg Johnson, Rs Sr: 10 carries, 34 yards.
HB Troy Henry, Jr: 4 carries, 29 yards.
WR Andrew Vincent, So: 3 receptions, 37 yards.
LB John Reed, Fr: 7 tackles, tackle for loss.
OLB Stephen Hill, Rs Jr: 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks.
CB Ronnie Gay, So: Interception.


Kansas State Wildcats
QB Ryan Poole, Rs Sr: 12 of 22, 84 yards, 15 carries, 38 yards
QB Antoine King, Rs So: 1 of 4, 5 yards, interception.
HB Antoine Jefferson, Rs Sr: 13 carries, 42 yards.
WR Brent Murray, Rs Sr: 4 carries, 49 yards.
S Kurt Tucker, So: 13 tackles.
CB Joshua Herman, Rs Sr: 6 tackles, interception.
LB Rashaun Barclay, Rs Jr: 6 tackles, tackle for loss, interception.

[Thugger Jackson]

Conference Championship Game Results
Big XI :: #9 South Florida 15, #18 Kansas State
C-USA :: North Texas 38, Old Dominion 31
SEC :: Ole Miss 39, Florida 15
MWC :: Air Force 35, San Diego State 33
Pac-12 :: #19 USC 49, #12 Stanford 35
ACC :: #5 Florida State 38, #23 Virginia Tech 28
Big Ten :: #8 Michigan 45, #4 Nebraska 20
MAC :: Ball State 38, #1 Ohio 21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Years Six Bowl Matchups
Rose Bowl :: #3 Michigan (10-3, 8-2) vs. #13 USC (10-3, 8-2)
Fiesta Bowl :: #9 Notre Dame (10-2) vs. #10 Ohio (12-1, 9-1)
Sugar Bowl :: #7 USF (11-2, 8-1) vs. Ole Miss (9-4, 7-3)
Orange Bowl :: #4 Florida State (11-2, 9-1) vs. #8 Navy (9-3, 8-1)
Cotton Bowl :: #22 Tennessee (7-5, 6-3) at Texas (6-6, 5-3)
National Championship :: #2 Minnesota (11-1, 8-1) at #1 Texas A&M (9-3, 6-3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CFB Awards
Heisman: HB Troy Henry (USF): 285 carries, 2125 yards, 28 touchdowns, 59 receptions, 519 yards, 4 touchdowns.
Maxwell: HB Troy Henry (USF): 285 carries, 2125 yards, 28 touchdowns, 59 receptions, 519 yards, 4 touchdowns.
Walter Camp: HB Troy Henry (USF): 285 carries, 2125 yards, 28 touchdowns, 59 receptions, 519 yards, 4 touchdowns.
Bednarik: DE Nate Gibbs (ALA): 34 solo tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 41 assist tackles, 12 sacks, 2 forced fumbles.
Nagurski: DE Nate Gibbs (ALA): 34 solo tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 41 assist tackles, 12 sacks, 2 forced fumbles.
O'Brien: QB Kyle Wheeler (MIN): 270 of 372, 3758 yards, 164 carries, 534 yards, 49 total touchdowns.
Walker: HB Troy Henry (USF): 285 carries, 2125 yards, 28 touchdowns, 59 receptions, 519 yards, 4 touchdowns.
Biletnikoff: WR Jarrett Garrett (MIN): 69 receptions, 901 yards, 18 touchdowns.
Mackey: TE Blake Kennedy (Cal): 76 receptions, 997 yards, 7 touchdowns, 42 carries, 236 yards.
Outland: C Aaron Warren (TAMU): 27 pancakes, 5 sacks allowed.
Rimington: C Aaron Warren (TAMU): 27 pancakes, 5 sacks allowed.
Lombardi: DE Nate Gibbs (ALA): 34 solo tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 41 assist tackles, 12 sacks, 2 forced fumbles.
Butkus: LB DaMarcus Cobbs (MICH): 78 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, 4 interceptions.
Thorpe: CB J.T. Bell (USC): 55 tackles, tackle for loss, 7 interceptions, touchdown, 13 pass breakups.
Groza: K Landon Logan (UF): 22/24 FG, Long of 52, 41/41 XP
Guy: P Eric Robertson (UL): 44 punts, 36.3 Yd Net, Long 74, 14 downed inside 20
Moss: KR Thad Gandy (TENN): 902 kick return yards, 302 punt return yards, touchdown.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP First Team All-Americans
QB Kyle Wheeler, Minnesota (Sr)
HB Troy Henry, South Florida (Jr)
HB Ryan Williams, Ohio State (Sr)
WR Chris Browning, Florida State (Jr)
WR Andy Bernard, Ball State (Sr)
TE Jonathan White, UL Lafayette (Jr)
T Kyle Thomas, Minnesota (Sr)
T Jeff Burnett, USC (Sr)
G Will Hall, Stanford (Sr)
G Lucas Butler, Michigan (Sr)
C Aaron Warren, Texas A&M (Sr)
DE Nate Gibbs, Alabama (Sr)
DE Mark Hawkins, South Florida (Sr)
DT Brad Wall, Ole Miss (Fr)
DT Darius Roberson, Nebraska (Sr)
LB Donnie Ewing, Ohio (Sr)
LB James McDonald, Michigan (Sr)
LB Nate Clark, South Florida (Jr)
CB J.T. Bell, USC (Sr)
CB Lorenzo Scott, UL Monroe (Sr)
S Jon Keller, Florida State (Jr)
S Edgar Thompson, South Florida (So)
K Ricky Turner, South Florida (Sr)
P Eric Robertson, Louisville (Sr)
KR Andre Hawkins, Ole Miss (Sr)

[dfsJunkie]

Tough injury to Henry. Hopefully he's able to suit up again.

[Thugger Jackson]

Heisman winner Troy Henry will not play in Sugar Bowl vs. Ole Miss
Anthony Washington -- The Tampa Bay Chronicles

South Florida running back and Heisman winner Troy Henry will not play in the Allstate Sugar Bowl against Ole Miss. Henry announced the decision via his social media page.

Henry rushed for a school record 2125 yards this season along with 28 touchdowns. He also led the team in receptions with 59 catches on the season for 519 yards and four touchdowns. Henry left the Big 12 Championship Game with a broken rib and has been dealing with an elbow injury for the latter part of the season.

While Henry will not play, he is expected to travel with the team to New Orleans and has yet to formally declare for the draft and hire an agent. It is widely expected that the Alabama native will declare for the draft following the game.

With less than two weeks to go before the game, no other opt-outs have been announced.

Quarterback James Pittman is expected to get the start although head coach Malcolm Francois has remained mum on the issue, only stating that the quarterback position is "wide open" during bowl practices.

[moose141]

Business decision by Henry, can't hate it after a historic season by him. Absolutely brutal loss to rival UCF to fall out of national title contention, but still another strong season nonetheless. That Big XII title game was crazy, 6 field goals and that's it??? Can't say you see that too often in NCAA 14!

[Thugger Jackson]

Quote: Originally Posted by dfsJunkie

Tough injury to Henry. Hopefully he's able to suit up again.

Nah that boy gone.

Quote: Originally Posted by moose141

Business decision by Henry, can't hate it after a historic season by him. Absolutely brutal loss to rival UCF to fall out of national title contention, but still another strong season nonetheless. That Big XII title game was crazy, 6 field goals and that's it??? Can't say you see that too often in NCAA 14!

Yeah, I've been able to find a sweet spot for sliders to still have tough defensive games. Increasing the quarters to ten minutes next season but hopefully we still see defensive battles.