End of first: No. 18 USF 21, UTEP 7

Posted Sep 24, 2011 by Adam Adkins

Updated Sep 24, 2011 at 07:53 PM

The USF offense has picked up right where it left off last game.

After racking up a Big East record 745 yards in last week’s win over Florida A&M, the Bulls totaled 235 yards of offense against UTEP and scored touchdowns on all three possessions in the first quarter to build a 21-7 lead over the Miners at Raymond James Stadium.

Junior quarterback B.J. Daniels scored on USF’s second offensive play, rumbling 71 yards for a touchdown. It was the fourth-longest scoring run in program history and second-longest for a quarterback, behind only Matt Grothe-s 80-yard scamper for a score against Pittsburgh in 2007.

Running backs Darrell Scott and Demetris Murray also have scored rushing touchdowns for USF, from 3 and 1 yards, respectively, as the Bulls have amassed 179 rushing yards on 14 carries.

USF’s only real problem thus far has been on kickoff coverage. The Bulls have yielded two big kick returns to the Miners, including one that set up UTEP’s only scoring drive. It was the first time this season a team has scored against USF in the first quarter.