End of first: No. 22 USF 10, Ball State 0

Posted Sep 10, 2011 by Adam Adkins

Updated Sep 10, 2011 at 07:45 PM

TAMPA It took just eight seconds for USF to get on the board in its 2011 home opener.

The Bulls forced a fumble on the opening kickoff, and safety Mark Joyce scooped it up and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown to give No. 22 USF a 7-0 lead over Ball State.

USF’s offense put together a solid drive on its opening possession, which started at its own 11, but facing a 4th-and-1 from the Cardinals 14 coach Skip Holtz opted for a field goal. Maikon Bonani connected from 31 yards out to make it a 10-0 game.

Quarterback B.J. Daniels committed his first turnover on the season on the Bulls second series by throwing an interception, but USF will start the second quarter with a first down at the Ball State 11.