Halftime: USF 16, Notre Dame 0

Posted Sep 3, 2011 by Adam Adkins

Updated Sep 3, 2011 at 07:16 PM

UPDATE: After sitting through a two-hour weather delay, players from Notre Dame and USF are back on the field warming up.

The second half is scheduled to begin at approximately 7:20 p.m.

—————————————————-

UPDATE: Notre Dame officials have evacuated the stadium because of approaching weather in South Bend. There has been no announcement yet on when they expect to resume the game.

According to Notre Dame officials, this is the first time in the program’s 123-year storied history a game has been delayed because of weather.

According to NCAA rules, three quarters must be completed for a game to become official. Coaches and administrators from both teams, along with the game’s officials, will meet to determine the best course of action.

—————————————————-

SOUTH BEND, Ind. USF is halfway home to another signature victory under coach Skip Holtz.

The Bulls lead No. 16 Notre Dame 160 at halftime in today’s season opener at Notre Dame Stadium, thanks mostly to some big moments from the defense.

Mark Snyder’s unit has produced the game’s only touchdown so far, that coming on the game’s opening drive when USF safety Jerrell Young stripped Irish running back Jonas Gray near the goal line and cornerback Kayvon Webster scooped up the loose ball and returned it 96 yards for a score.

The Bulls defense came up big again in the red zone in the second quarter, with linebacker DeDe Lattimore stepping in front of a Dayne Crist pass in the end zone for an interception.

The USF offense has produced three scoring drives, each ending in a Maikon Bonani field goal, but it’s been mostly about missed opportunities on that side of the ball.

On their second drive, the Bulls had three cracks at the end zone from inside the Irish 5 yard line but settled for three points. Then, after Notre Dame’s third turnover of the first half, a fumbled punt late in the second quarter that set the Bulls up at the Irish 20, the Bulls gained just one yard on three plays and again had to settle for a Bonani kick.

Notre Dame has outgained USF 191-144 in the first half, but the Bulls own the edge in turnover margin 3-0. USF quarterback BJ Daniels was 8-for-14 passing for 61 yards and led the Bulls with 39 rushing yards on nine carries in the first half. Sterling Griffin led the receivers with five receptions for 48 yards. Irish running back Cierre Wood had 84 yards on 15 carries to pace the Notre Dame offense.

The Bulls will get the ball to start the second half.