USF runs all over Delaware State in a blowout win

South Florida’s game Saturday night with Delaware State turned out to be eventually almost what everyone believed it would be. It just took a longer or it to get there., and was that a problem?

How hard should USF celebrate?

Well, a win is a win, and as the crowd at Raymond James Stadium who left early to beat the traffic could attest, it was a blowout. Happy days!

The Bulls plowed their way with seven -- SEVEN -- rushing touchdowns pulled away for a 59-17 win, The Hornets, though game and at times plenty annoying, never really seemed to about to pull what would have been a stunning upset. They were paid $450,000 to play the role of cannon fodder, and, if necessary, put on a good show.

They took the second part of that agreement seriously, and for about half of the fans who stuck around probably wondered the same thing.

The Bulls were 36.5-point favorites entering the game and didn't look like it. That is, of course, unless you count backup quarterback -- and who now be referred to as secret agent -- Luke Kromenhoek, who was inserted in short-yardage situations and gave USF a pair of touchdowns.

But let's not kid ourselves. There were plenty of issues on defense -- too many to be ignored.

Just 1:23 after receiving the opening kickoff, the Bulls went ahead on a 4-play, 72-yard scoring drive that concluded with a 10-yard TD run by DJ Crowther to put USF ahead 7-0.

Cruise control, right?

Not really. The visitors didn’t come to Tampa just for the payoff.

The Hornets got a 90-yard catch and score by Nathan Stewart to tie the game, but that didn’t last long. A 38-yard TD run by Crowther put the Bulls back ahead. It was the second of his three touchdowns, and this guy is a dude.

However, I’d imagine there will be some angst in the defensive video room over too many missed tackles. There were lost opportunities to keep the Hornets subdued.

Gotta clean that up.

In his short time as USF’s head coach, Brian Hartline and his staff they know how to keep their team focused on the job at hand. Their approach for Delaware State was the same they’ll try to have for every game.

Hartline says he focuses more on process than the result, which is coach-speak for “do what you’re supposed to do when you’re supposed to do it throughout the week and things should work out fine.”

Eventually it did, but not without some uncomfortable moments.

The Bulls are now 3-0 for the first time since 2018. That’s the year Charlie Strong’s house of cards started with seven consecutive wins before losing their final six. Don’t expect a similar calamity from this team.

However ...

Fans will understandably fret about the defensive breakdowns against the outmanned Hornets. The Bulls gave up more big plays than just the 90-yard score. They could overcome that against a team that couldn't match them in physical talent, but what about when the games get tougher?

We won't have to wait much longer to find out.

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