2021 South Florida Bulls football team

The 2021 South Florida Bulls football team represented the University of South Florida (USF) during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulls were led by second-year head coach Jeff Scott and played their home games at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. This season was the ninth for the Bulls as members of the American Athletic Conference and 25th season overall.

2021 South Florida Bulls football
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
Record2–10 (1–7 AAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorCharlie Weis Jr. (2nd season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorGlenn Spencer (2nd season)
Base defense4–2–5
Home stadiumRaymond James Stadium
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 American Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 4 Cincinnati y$^   8 0     13 1  
No. 17 Houston y   8 0     12 2  
UCF   5 3     9 4  
East Carolina   5 3     7 5  
Tulsa   5 3     7 6  
SMU   4 4     8 4  
Memphis   3 5     6 6  
Navy   3 5     4 8  
Tulane   1 7     2 10  
South Florida   1 7     2 10  
Temple   1 7     3 9  
Championship: Cincinnati 35, Houston 20
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

Staff

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Name Position Seasons at
South Florida
Alma mater
Jeff Scott Head Coach 2 Clemson (2003)
Glenn Spencer Defensive Coordinator / Safeties 2 Georgia Tech (1987)
Charlie Weis Jr. Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks 2 Kansas (2015)
Allen Mogridge Assistant Head Coach / Offensive Line 2 North Carolina(1999)
Cam Aiken Running Backs/Run Game Coordinator 1 Clemson (2013)
George Barlow Cornerbacks 1 Marshall (1990)
Bobby Bentley Wide Receivers/Pass Game Coordinator 1 Presbyterian (1990)
Da'Quan Bowers Defensive Line 2 Clemson (2019)
Daniel Da Prato Special Teams Coordinator 1 Louisiana–Monroe (2003)
Xavier Dye Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator 2 Clemson (2010)
Ernie Sims Linebackers 2 FSU (2006)
Brad Scott Chief of Staff 2 South Florida (1979)
A.J. Artis Director of Football Strength & Conditioning 1 Campbell (2015)
Brandon Roberts Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach 2 Middle Tennessee State (2009)

Preseason

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American Athletic Conference preseason media poll

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Patch worn on the Bulls jerseys and helmets to celebrate the football team's 25th season

The American Athletic Conference preseason media poll was released at the virtual media day held August 4, 2021.[1] Cincinnati, who finished the 2020 season ranked No. 8 nationally, was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the 2021 preseason media poll.

Media poll
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Cincinnati 262 (22)
2 UCF 241 (2)
3 SMU 188
4 Houston 181
5 Memphis 168
6 Tulsa 153
7 Tulane 132
т-8 East Carolina 85
т-8 Navy 85
10 Temple 46
11 South Florida 43

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 27:30 p.m.at NC State*ACCNL 0–4552,633
September 111:00 p.m.No. 13 Florida*ABCL 20–4266,646
September 187:00 p.m.Florida A&M*
  • Raymond James Stadium
  • Tampa, FL
ESPN+W 38–1729,475
September 2510:15 p.m.at No. 15 BYU*ESPN2L 27–3560,217
October 24:00 p.m.at SMUESPNUL 17–4123,355
October 1611:00 a.m.Tulsa
  • Raymond James Stadium
  • Tampa, FL
ESPNUL 31–3221,767
October 237:00 p.m.Temple
  • Raymond James Stadium
  • Tampa, FL
ESPN+W 34–1425,430
October 287:30 p.m.at East CarolinaESPNL 14–2932,015
November 67:30 p.m.Houston 
  • Raymond James Stadium
  • Tampa, FL
ESPNUL 42–5428,667
November 126:00 p.m.No. 5 Cincinnati
  • Raymond James Stadium
  • Tampa, FL
ESPN2L 28–4530,780
November 2012:00 p.m.at TulaneESPN+L 14–4514,496
November 263:30 p.m.at UCFESPNL 13–1741,157

Source:[2]

Game summaries

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At NC State

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South Florida at NC State
1 234Total
Bulls 0 000 0
RV Wolfpack 10 14147 45
   
Pregame line Over/under
NCST –20.0 58
Statistics South Florida NC State
First downs 15 27
Total yards 271 525
Rushing yards 104 293
Passing yards 167 232
Turnovers 3 1
Time of possession 30:48 29:12
Team Category Player Statistics
South Florida Passing Timmy McClain 7/13, 126 yards, 2 INTs
Rushing Jaren Mangham 5 carries, 26 yards
Receiving Xavier Weaver 2 receptions, 73 yards
NC State Passing Devin Leary 17/26, 232 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Zonovan Knight 16 carries, 163 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Emeka Emezie 5 receptions, 71 yards

No. 13 Florida

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Florida at South Florida
1 234Total
No. 13 Gators 14 2107 42
Bulls 3 0107 20
      
Pregame line Over/under
FLA –29.0 57
Statistics Florida South Florida
First downs 26 20
Total yards 666 297
Rushing yards 363 109
Passing yards 303 188
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 30:42 29:18
Team Category Player Statistics
Florida Passing Anthony Richardson 3/3, 152 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing Anthony Richardson 4 carries, 115 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jacob Copeland 5 receptions, 175 yards, 2 TDs
South Florida Passing Cade Fortin 12/18, 91 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Darrian Felix 14 carries, 48 yards
Receiving Xavier Weaver 2 receptions, 68 yards

Florida A&M

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Florida A&M at South Florida
1 234Total
Rattlers 3 077 17
Bulls 10 1477 38
  • Date: September 18, 2021
  • Location: Raymond James Stadium
    Tampa, FL
  • Game start: 7:06 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 33 minutes
  • Game attendance: 29,475
  • Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: N 7 MPH
  • Referee: Tim Rich
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Drew Fellios (play–by–play) and Leger Douzable (analyst)
     
Pregame line Over/under
USF –22.5 50
Statistics Florida A&M South Florida
First downs 20 22
Total yards 380 406
Rushing yards 132 243
Passing yards 248 163
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 29:38 30:14
Team Category Player Statistics
Florida A&M Passing Rasean McKay 25/49, 248 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Terrell Jennings 6 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Xavier Smith 15 receptions, 139 yards
South Florida Passing Timmy McClain 12/23, 163 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Brian Battie 10 carries, 139 yards
Receiving Xavier Weaver 5 receptions, 77 yards, 1 TD

At No. 15 BYU

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South Florida at BYU
1 234Total
Bulls 0 6147 27
No. 15 Cougars 21 770 35
  • Date: September 25, 2021
  • Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium
    Provo, UT
  • Game start: 10:25 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 5 minutes
  • Game attendance: 60,217
  • Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NW 1 MPH
  • Referee: Luke Richmond
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst) and Dawn Davenport (sideline)
      
Pregame line Over/under
BYU –24.0 55
Statistics South Florida BYU
First downs 23 21
Total yards 360 448
Rushing yards 174 143
Passing yards 186 305
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 35:37 24:23
Team Category Player Statistics
South Florida Passing Timmy McClain 17/24, 186 yards
Rushing Jaren Mangham 26 carries, 86 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Xavier Weaver 5 receptions, 76 yards
BYU Passing Baylor Romney 20/25, 305 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Tyler Allgeier 15 carries, 86 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Gunner Romney 5 receptions, 119 yards, 1 TD

At SMU

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South Florida at SMU
1 234Total
Bulls 0 3140 17
Mustangs 10 71014 41
  • Date: October 2, 2021
  • Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium
    University Park, TX
  • Game start: 4:00 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 21 minutes
  • Game attendance: 23,355
  • Game weather: Temperature: 84 °F (29 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: W 8 MPH
  • Referee: Edwin Lee
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Mike Couzens (play-by-play) and Dustin Fox (analyst)
      
Pregame line Over/under
SMU –21 68.5[3]
Statistics South Florida SMU
First downs 19 30
Total yards 336 463
Rushing yards 113 162
Passing yards 223 301
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 27:11 32:49
Team Category Player Statistics
South Florida Passing Timmy McClain 14/22, 223 yards
Rushing Brian Battie 7 rushes, 46 yards
Receiving Jimmy Horn Jr. 5 receptions, 102 yards
SMU Passing Tanner Mordecai 29/42, 301 yards, 4 TD, INT
Rushing Tre Siggers 20 rushes, 86 yards, TD
Receiving Danny Gray 7 receptions, 74 yards, 2 TD

Tulsa

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Tulsa at South Florida
1 2Total
Golden Hurricane 0
Bulls 0
  • Date: October 16, 2021
  • Location: Raymond James Stadium
    Tampa, FL
  • Game start: 12:00 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time:  
  • Game attendance: 21,767
  • Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (ESPNU):  
Over/under
   
Statistics Tulsa South Florida
First downs    
Total yards    
Rushing yards    
Passing yards    
Turnovers    
Time of possession    
Team Category Player Statistics
Tulsa Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    
South Florida Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    

Temple

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Temple at South Florida
1 2Total
Owls 0
Bulls 0
  • Date: October 23, 2021
  • Location: Raymond James Stadium
    Tampa, FL
  • Game start: TBD EDT
  • Elapsed time:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Over/under
   
Statistics Temple South Florida
First downs    
Total yards    
Rushing yards    
Passing yards    
Turnovers    
Time of possession    
Team Category Player Statistics
Temple Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    
South Florida Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    

At East Carolina

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South Florida at East Carolina
1 234Total
Bulls 0 1400 14
Pirates 0 61310 29
    
Pregame line Over/under
ECU –9.5 55.5[4]
Statistics South Florida East Carolina
First downs 19 30
Total yards 391 471
Rushing yards 199 251
Passing yards 192 220
Turnovers 4 3
Time of possession 21:38 38:22
Team Category Player Statistics
South Florida Passing Katravis Marsh 15/30, 192 yards, TD, 3 INT
Rushing Kelley Joiner 12 carries, 103 yards
Receiving Xavier Weaver 5 receptions, 91 yards, TD
East Carolina Passing Holton Ahlers 21/35, 220 yards, TD
Rushing Rahjai Harris 22 carries, 100 yards, TD
Receiving C. J. Johnson 5 receptions, 84 yards

Houston

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Houston at South Florida
1 234Total
Cougars 9 17217 54
Bulls 14 1477 42
  • Date: November 6, 2021
  • Location: Raymond James Stadium
    Tampa, FL
  • Game start: 7:30 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time:  
  • Game attendance: 28,667
  • Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD
  • Referee: Tim Rich
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Mike Couzens (play-by-play) and Dustin Fox (analyst)
           
Pregame line Over/under
HOU –13.5 53
Statistics Houston South Florida
First downs 30 23
Total yards 646 399
Rushing yards 261 110
Passing yards 385 289
Turnovers 0 2
Time of possession 33:07 26:53
Team Category Player Statistics
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 21/26, 385 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Ta'Zhawn Henry 10 rushes, 130 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Tank Dell 8 receptions, 164 yards, 1 TD
South Florida Passing Timmy McClain 22/46, 289 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing Timmy McClain 11 rushes, 46 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Xavier Weaver 6 receptions, 105 yards

No. 5 Cincinnati

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Cincinnati at South Florida
1 234Total
No. 5 Bearcats 7 17714 45
Bulls 7 0147 28
  • Date: November 12, 2021
  • Location: Raymond James Stadium
    Tampa, FL
  • Game start: 6:00 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 31 minutes
  • Game attendance: 30,780
  • Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: E 5 MPH
  • Referee: Nate Black
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst) and Paul Carcaterra (sideline)
       
Pregame line Over/under
CIN –24 58.5
Statistics Cincinnati South Florida
First downs 30 21
Total yards 506 346
Rushing yards 202 101
Passing yards 304 245
Turnovers    
Time of possession 32:30 27:30
Team Category Player Statistics
Cincinnati Passing Desmond Ridder 31/39, 304 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Ryan Montgomery 6 carries, 72 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Josh Whyle 5 receptions, 61 yards, 1 TD
South Florida Passing Timmy McClain 16/30, 245 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Jaren Mangham 16 carries, 53 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Jimmy Horn Jr. 5 receptions, 108 yards, 1 TD

At Tulane

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South Florida at Tulane
1 2Total
Bulls 0
Green Wave 0
  • Date: November 20, 2021
  • Location: Yulman Stadium
    New Orleans, LA
  • Game start: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time:  
  • Game attendance: 14,496
  • Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (ESPN+):  
Over/under
   
Statistics South Florida Tulane
First downs    
Total yards    
Rushing yards    
Passing yards    
Turnovers    
Time of possession    
Team Category Player Statistics
South Florida Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    
Tulane Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    

At UCF

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South Florida at UCF
1 234Total
Bulls 7 060 13
Knights 7 703 17
  • Date: November 26, 2021
  • Location: FBC Mortgage Stadium
    Orlando, FL
  • Game start: 3:30 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time:  
  • Game attendance: 41,157
  • Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (ESPN):  
Over/under
   
Statistics South Florida UCF
First downs    
Total yards    
Rushing yards    
Passing yards    
Turnovers    
Time of possession    
Team Category Player Statistics
South Florida Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    
UCF Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    

References

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  1. ^ "Cincinnati Chosen as Favorite in American Preseason Media Poll". theAmerican.org. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  2. ^ "2021 USF Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  3. ^ "South Florida Bulls vs SMU Mustangs". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  4. ^ "USF Bulls vs East Carolina Pirates". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 28, 2021.