TAMPA — USF coach Alex Golesh says he hasn’t yet given much thought to emerging from the southwest tunnel Saturday night and absorbing the raucousness and revelry ignited by a crowd that could hit 60,000.
The evolution of his program, and the name-brand aura of the opponent, should converge to create one of those rare Raymond James Stadium atmospheres for a Bulls game. Yet Golesh tries to remain as measured as possible, knowing full well that goose bumps and chest bumps alone won’t be enough to take down No. 8 Miami (3-0).
“We talk a lot about having emotional intelligence,” Golesh said Tuesday. “You’ve got to play with emotion but you can’t play emotionally. I think if you play emotionally, things go out of whack, and I think it becomes about something other than the person in front of you that you’re competing against.”
Which isn’t to say a passionate effort won’t be needed Saturday. Maybe emotion can’t win a game, but commotion can.
And the Bulls (2-1) must produce plenty against the latest Heisman candidate they’ll face. The way Golesh sees it, the key to pulling off the program’s biggest upset in nearly two decades will be to consistently disrupt prolific Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward.
“This is a guy that has started 47 games in college football,” Golesh said. “That guy has answers, he’s obviously highly intelligent. So in terms of getting the protection right, in terms of recognizing looks and in terms of being able to get the ball to the playmakers — 47 is a lot of games. And so affecting him is where it would start.”
Three games into his Hurricanes career, Ward has brandished the type of efficiency befitting a fifth-year veteran. Operating behind a seasoned line that has allowed only three sacks, the Washington State transfer ranks first in the Football Bowl Subdivision…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/usf-hopes-upsetting-no-8-194600921.html
Author : Tampa Bay Times, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Publish date : 2024-09-17 19:46:00
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