Practice habits paying off for Shaw

Posted Oct 27, 2011 by Adam Adkins

Updated Oct 27, 2011 at 08:25 PM

USF sophomore running back Marcus Shaw has received an increase in playing time the past few games, and Bulls offensive coordinator Todd Fitch said the reason is simple.

“You earn your playing time on the practice field, and (he’s) probably the most improved offensive player day-to-day that we’ve had in the last three or four weeks,” Fitch said.

Shaw got some early work with the offense in the last game against Cincinnati, and he’s also seen his role on special teams increase and provided perhaps his biggest impact of the season against Connecticut with a 79-yard kickoff return, the longest for the Bulls this season.

“When I go to practice I come out there with a mindset that I’m going to have fun and enjoy my time at practice so I can play better,” Shaw said.

After seeing the hard work pay off with more time on the field, Shaw said it makes him want to practice “a million times harder.” If that continues, Fitch said he’ll continue to find ways to get him more involved.

“You have to reward guys who work hard because if you don’t then what’s the motivation to practice hard, other than as a team you want to be good,” Fitch said. “That’s really the crux of the story. He’s a talented kid that we knew about, he’s really matured and he’s really practicing great day to day.”

BULLS BITS: Redshirt freshman receiver Chris Dunkley, sitting out this season per NCAA transfer rules, injured his left wrist during Wednesday’s practice and Holtz was waiting to find out if surgery is needed. … Junior cornerback Ernie Tabuteau, who has battled back issues since fall camp, has been shut down for the remainder of the season.