Halftime: USF 10, Rutgers 0

Posted Nov 5, 2011 by Adam Adkins

Updated Nov 5, 2011 at 08:41 PM

PISCATAWAY, N.J. It was a slow start but a better finish in the first half for USF, which takes a 10-0 lead into halftime of Saturday night’s game at Rutgers.

After being forced to punt on each of their first four possessions of the game and limited to two first downs during that stretch, the Bulls offense took advantage of its best field position of the night to strike first.

Starting at their own 42, the Bulls marched 58 yards in nine plays, with quarterback B.J. Daniels capping the drive with a 23-yard scoring pass to receiver Victor Marc to give USF a 7-0 lead with 6:11 to play in the second quarter. It was the only pass attempt on the possession for the Bulls, one in which the offense twice converted on third down to keep the drive alive.

The USF defense then came up with a big play to set the offense up for another score before the break. Defensive end Ryne Giddins had sacks on consecutive plays after the Scarlet Knights had moved into the USF territory, and on the last one Giddins stripped quarterback Gary Nova and recovered the loose ball to produce the game’s first turnover.

Maikon Bonani then kicked a 43 yard field goal with 36 seconds before the break, sending USF into halftime with a 10-0 lead.

USF outgained Rutgers 153-87 in the opening half, and the Bulls defense held the Scarlet Knights to minus-4 rushing yards on 15 attempts. Daniels has completed 8 of 16 passes for 91 yards, while Bulls running back Darrell Scott leads all rushers with 56 yards on 10 carries.

USF will get the ball first to open the second half.