Bulls seeking better red-zone efficiency

Posted Oct 26, 2011 by Adam Adkins

Updated Oct 26, 2011 at 09:21 PM

USF offensive coordinator Todd Fitch says the standard is to convert on every red-zone scoring opportunity and that a 70-80 percent touchdown conversion rate would be ideal. As the Bulls work during an open week leading up to a Nov. 5 matchup at Rutgers they know becoming more efficient than what they’ve been in those situations is essential.

USF is 28-for-34 this season in red-zone scoring opportunities but are converting just 53 percent (18-for-34) for touchdowns. In the last two games against Connecticut and Cincinnati, each a loss by less than a touchdown, the Bulls have converted only 5 of 10 red-zone possessions into touchdowns.

Fitch was pleased with how the Bulls passed in red-zone situations in the loss to the Bearcats, with junior quarterback B.J. Daniels capping two drives inside the 20 with touchdown passes, but where he’s looking for the most improvement is when running the ball deep in opponent’s territory.

“Probably as you look at us, we’ve run the ball in some but not consistently,” Fitch said. “We’ve got to do a little bit better job with some of our formations and personnel groupings inside the 10 where those windows get constricted and you’ve got to be able to punch it in more consistently.”

Offensive linemen pride themselves on thriving in situations near the goal line, and USF senior center Chaz Hine understands better results are needed.

“Usually that’s at the end of a drive and you’ve got to dig deep to find that extra energy and that extra focus to keep that base, keep your head down, find that aggression to keep going at the end of the drive,” Hine said. “That’s where you finish strong, and we need to focus on establishing that.”

BULLS BITS: Redshirt freshman Spencer Boyd has moved back to cornerback from safety to bolster the team’s depth after the Bulls lost sophomore Ricardo Dixon (torn ACL), defensive coordinator Mark Snyder said. … Senior WR Joel Miller and junior LB Mike Lanaris were held out of practice Wednesday with minor injuries. Both are day-to-day.