One of the puzzling things about the University of South Florida’s 41-14 loss at Pittsburgh was the lack of passing plays.

Despite falling behind early, QB B.J. Daniels attempted only eight passes before being pulled in the fourth quarter.

The perplexing thing about the decision to not throw very much was that the running game wasn’t particularly effective. USF rushed 33 times for 122 yards – an average of 3.7 per carry. 

Daniels, who finished 4-for-8 for 54 yards and two interceptions, was surprised by the lack of passing plays.

“Our zone read and running game was there, and that’s what (offensive coordinator Mike) Canales was calling and that’s what we were staying with,” Daniels said. “Being a quarterback I’d love to throw more. … The thing that was heavy on my mind was we need to put up points and we need to do it fast.”

Which is done through the air.

“Looking back on it, you can say yes (we should’ve thrown more),” Daniels said. “Physically and mentally, I was just doing what I was supposed to do and what was called.”

WELCOME BACK: Junior RB Jamar Taylor, who suffered a knee injury in preseason camp, saw his first action of the season against Pittsburgh.

The Lakeland High product, who was thought to be headed toward a medical redshirt, carried five times for 28 yards against the Panthers.

“He plays with so much passion and so much heart,” WR Carlton Mitchell said. “It did surprise me to see him back so early, but it didn’t surprise me to see how hard he was running.”