Struggling Bulls down 17-7 to Pitt at half

One week after being up 21 points at the half at N.C. State, it's a much different USF team Thursday night, as the Bulls are struggling and find themselves trailing unranked Pittsburgh 17-7 at halftime at Raymond James Stadium.

The Bulls struggled on offense in the opening half after piling up 353 yards and 31 points in the first half last week at N.C. State. USF quarterback Matt Grothe went 5-for-12 for 36 yards, with several passes dropped by receivers. The Bulls didn't get much from their running backs, with Mike Ford leading the way with 18 yards on five carries. Pittsburgh has outgained USF 171-77, with the Bulls mustering only three first downs.

Pittsburgh dominated the time of possession, holding the ball more than 21 minutes, running 40 plays to USF's 23. McCoy, held to 55 yards in last year's USF win, had 64 on 15 carries in the first half, with 51 coming on his touchdown drive. Half of Pitt's passing yards came on Bill Stull's 52-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Baldwin, but the Bulls have been flagged for eight penalties for 64 yards.

Pittsburgh extended its lead to 10 points late in the half on a 35-yard field goal by Conor Lee.

Comments

OK, the offense proved it can get some power. Well done. But if the defense can't do the same, we're not turning this game in our favor. C'mon, guys.

Looks no better ... sigh.

At least in the KU game we managed to get some momentum before halftime ... we played that half as though we were wearing ice skates to go swimming.

[RB]

What happened to all the we're not going to let our high ranking get to us talk this year. Playing down to the competition is becoming endemic on this team.

[USFMikeB]

We look unprepared and outgunned, while Pitt is playing the best they have so far this season. I hope we come back from halftime like we did in the Kansas game...