USF 31, Stony Brook 14 (halftime)

Posted Sep 4, 2010 by Scott Carter

Updated Sep 4, 2010 at 08:12 PM

The first half of the first game of the Skip Holtz Era was an up-and-down ride for the Bulls.

USF leads 31-14 at halftime, adding to its lead on quarterback B.J. Daniels’ 19-yard touchdown pass to Joel Miller with 6 seconds left in the second quarter.

The Bulls scored 24 unanswered points after falling behind 14-7 thanks to a pair of miscues on special teams: a fumble by punt returner Faron Hornes and a low snap from Michael Walsh that punter Justin Brockhaus-Kann was called down on when he tried to pick it up, giving Stony Brook the ball deep in USF territory.

The Seawolves scored both of their touchdowns off USF miscues, but the Bulls took the lead for good on Eric Schwartz’s 37-yard field goal early in the second quarter.

USF added to its lead when the special teams made a positive contribution for a change.

On Stony Brook’s first drive after Schwartz’s field goal gave USF a 17-14 lead, USF’s JaQuez Jenkins blocked a punt that was recovered in the end zone by Chris Lane, giving the Bulls a 24-14 lead.

A quick look at some first-half stats:

—First downs: USF 14, Stony Brook 4

—USF QB B.J. Daniels was 12 of 19 for 196 yards and two touchdowns

—WR Evan Landi had four catches for 51 yards

—RB Demetris Murray led the Bulls in rushing in the first half, carrying seven times for 34 yards.

—Total yards: USF 260, Stony Brook 127

—USF LB Michael Lanaris had the first interception of his career