TAMPA, Fla. — The University of South Florida (USF) football program held its annual spring game on Sunday at Corbett Stadium, the soccer and lacrosse field on campus, with the construction of the new stadium out in the background.
The steel beems rising in the Tampa backdrop gave Bulls fans a glimpse of an exciting future for this program, with a new head coach also building excitement for the future on the field.
Head coach Brian Hartline wrapped up his first spring camp at USF, and after the game he gave credit to Bulls nation for showing up and showing out.
“I can’t thank Bulls Nation enough. Yes, we practice every day in the shadow of the stadium. So for it to be today, it wasn’t necessarily any really different. Maybe for the fans they could feel that. But they showed out, they showed up. It was awesome. And, they made it a special day,” Hartline said.
“It’s honestly changed the way that a lot of people of us and truthfully changed the way South Florida is viewed, like. Like having having the football complex that we’re going to have is going to make a big difference in the conference is going to be a lot more talent. The wants to come here. There’s going to be big players that want to come here just because, not just because it looks good, but because the hype is real,” USF graduate defensive end Michael Williams II said.
On the field, the top storyline was of course the quarterback position. Michael Van Buren, the LSU transfer, and Luke Kromenhoek, the Mississippi State transfer each getting equal reps out there. USF did not record statistics for this spring game but each of them threw a passing touchdown.
Hartline said that position battle will continue throughout the offseason.
“There will be a quarterback battle for a while. That being said, they’re both doing a great job, and I think the most encouraging part is that they’re encouraging each other. But yeah, I think decision making seem pretty good. I think we did a good opportunity of protecting the football. That’s number one. And I think I think I feel these guys trying to lead a little bit, which is a good sign. Other than that, I still encouraging these guys to, you know, continue to enhance, continue to get better,” Hartline said.
“Yeah. You know, obviously it’s a competition, but those guys, those guys are their lockers are right by each other. Those guys are really good friends. And they just got more confident as spring went. You know, like they they know the offensive playbook. You know, like we like to say be like an expert. And I feel like those guys are becoming experts,” USF senior tight end Wyatt Sullivan said.
The running backs stole the show on offense, breaking a few long touchdown runs. The RPO game is something that fans should be excited about this fall as USF starts a new era.
Michael Epps
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