South Florida game to raise level of competition
By Brent Yarina
Assistant Sports Editor

With Conference USA play starting to heat up, the Frogs appear to be running on all cylinders at the most opportune time.

After defeating Army Saturday night 27-0, in a contest where the Frogs dominated every facet of the game, the team now faces a shortened practice week to prepare for its matchup Friday at South Florida.

A short practice week, however, does not bother the Frogs.

“We can write the book on short weeks,” head coach Gary Patterson said. “You name it, we’ve done it.”

Patterson said his team is more accustomed to playing on a short week than South Florida because the Bulls do not have any experience playing under such circumstances.

“The short week is a big advantage for us,” he said. “South Florida hasn’t played in short weeks like us and that can only help.”

Sophomore quarterback Tye Gunn also said the Frog’s short week will benefit them.

“It may work to our advantage,” Gunn said. “We’ve had (shortened weeks) before, and I don’t think (South Florida is) used to them. They’ve never had a short week.”

Patterson said the short practice week will be devoted to preparing for what will be the most athletic team the Frogs have faced since Sept. 1 against Tulane. He said the two teams run similar wide-open offenses, but that South Florida’s defense is better and more athletic.

Gunn said he is prepared to face an athletic defense that is accustomed to making plays.

“They use an eight-man front, and they have some good athletes that can fly around and make plays,” Gunn said.

Junior cornerback Mark Walker said the defense is not approaching this game differently than any other game, despite facing an offense that averages 244 passing yards and 26 points a game.

“We line up and play our game,” Walker said. “We’re a very aggressive defense, and we just try to pressure the quarterback.”

The Frogs will also have to overcome a tough road crowd Friday night at Raymond James Stadium. South Florida has won 21 consecutive home games, which ranks as the nation’s second longest current streak behind Miami.

“They have good players and a big crowd that is rowdy,” Patterson said. “It’s a great place to play games.”