Sep 21, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Quinton Flowers (9) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Temple Owls during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Photo Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
TAMPA, Fla. — The No. 21 South Florida Bulls got a dominating night from their defense, forcing six takeaways and holding the Temple Owls to 85 total yards in an easy 43-7 American Athletic Conference win on Thursday at Raymond James Stadium.
USF cornerback Deatrick Nichols had two interceptions and a forced fumble, and the Bulls (4-0, 1-0) improved on a strong showing six days earlier after beating Illinois. Darius Tice rushed for 117 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown, and D’Ernest Johnson added 106.
Quarterback Quinton Flowers had a quiet night, letting his defense put up the gaudy numbers.
Temple (2-2, 0-1) had rushed for 319 yards last year in a 46-30 win that was one of only two losses for USF. Temple didn’t come close to repeating that effort on Thursday — the Owls had 18 carries for minus-22 yards at the half, finishing with minus-4 yards for the game.
Temple quarterbacks Logan Marchi and Frank Nutile combined for four interceptions, and the Owls had four total first downs entering the final quarter.
Flowers, touted as a Heisman Trophy candidate before the season, went 8-for-20 for 96 yards while rushing for 59 yards and two scores, He also fumbled, which was returned for Temple’s only points.
The Bulls got five field goals from Emilio Nadelman, matching the school record set by Maikon Bonani against Syracuse in 2012.
Between those field goals and being stopped on fourth-and-goal from the 2, USF had plenty of opportunities to put a lot more points on the board.
The Bulls are battling San Diego State to be the highest ranked team outside the Power Five conferences.
USF now has a few extra days to get ready for a road trip to East Carolina on Sept. 30, while Temple plays host to Houston on the same day.
NOTES: USF has scored at least 30 points in 21 straight games — the modern record is 23 straight, set by Oregon in 2011-12. … USF had 408 yards of total offense despite going just 3-for-16 on third downs, with another 70 yards in penalties against them. … Temple’s Ryquell Armstead, who went over 200 yards in last year’s win against USF, had 11 carries for 3 yards.
