Bulls avoid injuries in final scrimmage; Plancher returns to backfield

Posted Aug 27, 2010 by Scott Carter

Updated Aug 27, 2010 at 10:54 PM

TAMPA— The mood after USF’s final scrimmage of fall camp Friday night could be best described as cautiously optimistic. First-year coach Skip Holtz loved the energy and passion, but you could tell he’s glad the Bulls have another week of practice before hosting Stony Brook a week from today.

“I just wanted them to get what game day was all about,” Holtz said. “A lot of good things went on. We are not game ready at this point.”

The biggest goal in Friday’s scrimmage was to avoid injuries, and the Bulls accomplished that, according to Holtz. QB B.J. Daniels said the offense is moving in the right direction after struggling in the first two scrimmages.

“We were just doing things out there that we would in a game,” Daniels said. “I think we have definitely improved over these last two weeks. I think our team is ready.”

Holtz said the Bulls ran about 45 live plays. While he would have liked to ran more, the staff decided to limit the number of live plays to reduce the risk of injury heading into game week.

Plancher returns

Sixth-year senior RB Mo Plancher, who has been limited with a shoulder injury since the Bulls returned from Vero Beach, saw some live action Friday. Plancher, the team’s leading returning rusher, is battling Bradley Battles and Demetris Murray at tailback.

“I felt like it was important that he gets in there and gets some work,” Holtz said. “I don’t want the first time he gets hit to be from two weeks off with a shoulder injury.”

Saving Bogan

Senior WR Dontavia Bogan is the team’s most proven kickoff returner, and he is closing in on several school records. He is also USF’s most-experienced receiver. With the Bulls lacking depth at receiver, he may not be returning kickoffs.

“I met with him the other day and talked about it,” Holtz said. “I know he really wants to do it. I just told him, right now where we are from a depth standpoint, it just scares me. It’s not about the records, it’s about the team.”

Kayvon Webster, Lindsey Lamar and Terrence Mitchell are getting most of the work on returns.

Bull bits

Despite not being listed as a starter on the depth chart, CB Quenton Washington played a lot in Friday’s scrimmage behind Webster and Mistral Raymond. “I look at Q Washington as a starter,’’ Holtz said. “I feel like we’ve got three starting corners.’’ … After breaking Friday’s scrimmage, the team broke out in song, singing the school’s fight song. The tradition will continue during the season. “We are going to sing it after every win,’’ Holtz said.