Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com SEPT. 19, 2020 39 South Florida's 254. Propelling the Bulls win was their 5-0 advantage in turnovers. • The game's initial series saw Notre Dame drive 76 yards in seven plays to South Florida's 4-yard line — when the Bulls then forced a fum- ble by running back Jonas Gray that was returned 96 yards for a touch- down by Kayvon Webster. Later in this same 2011 season, Notre Dame had the ball at USC's 1-yard line when a fumbled Irish snap was returned for an 80-yard touchdown by the Trojans. That 14-point swing proved pivotal in USC's 31-17 victory. What are the odds of not one but two series in the same year result- ing not only in a fumble inside the opponent's 5-yard line but then also getting returned the other way for a touchdown? • Three of Notre Dame's five turn- overs versus South Florida occurred in the red zone, including an end- zone interception toss by starting quarterback Dayne Crist in the sec- ond quarter, and then in the third quarter at the South Florida 5-yard line when a Tommy Rees pass that bounced off the helmet of receiver TJ Jones was picked off. The latter sent head coach Brian Kelly into an epic rage that was cap- tured by the NBC cameras … and eventually helped tone down some of his sideline demeanor. In that same South Florida game, an early Cierre Wood touchdown run was also called back because of a penalty, and the Irish again ended up with no points produced on the possession. • Notre Dame kicker David Ruffer, a Lou Groza Award finalist the pre- vious year while opening his career with 23 consecutive made field goals, missed his lone attempt versus South Florida, from 30 yards, in the first half. • Following that shocking upset, Holtz went 7-16 the rest of his career at South Florida and was fired after his third season in 2012. He is now thriving at Louisiana Tech, where he has a 6-0 bowl record. FUTURE NOTRE DAME-SOUTH FLORIDA MEETINGS On Aug. 27, South Florida an- nounced two more future games, home and away, against Notre Dame are on the docket, although the years remained unresolved. First, this year 's game must be played before dates for the final two agreed-upon contests can be set. According to the game contract, the schools are not obligated to schedule dates for the two other games if the first one is canceled for any reason (coronavirus or otherwise). If it does take place, the schools will set dates for one game in Tampa, Fla., and another in South Bend by Aug. 1, 2021 unless both agree to extend the timeline. The scheduled game will adhere to Notre Dame's and the ACC's health policies and protocols. The ACC requires three rounds of testing per week for football teams, one of them the day before the game and another within 48 hours of com- pletion of the game. Any failure to comply or enforce the guidelines by one side allows the other to cancel the game without risk of liability. Notre Dame will allow South Florida to purchase 300 tickets for this month's game. Only students, faculty, staff and player families are permitted to attend games at Notre Dame Stadium this season. Under those policies, the al- lotment of 300 tickets is presumably available only to families of South Florida players. South Florida has one non-confer- ence opening in 2022 and 2023, and no space from 2024-27. Notre Dame has 11 scheduled games in 2022 and 10 in 2023. If the schools cannot agree on future dates, Notre Dame will be required to pay South Florida $500,000 for the game the Bulls would have hosted, while the second game in South Bend would be canceled with- out payment from either party. ✦ GAME PREVIEW: SOUTH FLORIDA The Fighting Irish outgained the Bulls 508-254 in total yardage during their first-ever meeting in 2011, but committed five turnovers in a shocking 23-20 upset loss. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA Predictions Todd Burlage: Notre Dame 52, South Florida 7 With a new staff and a downward momentum trend, USF should be Notre Dame's easiest opponent on the 2020 schedule. Expect the Irish coaches to use their entire roster in this one. Patrick Engel: Notre Dame 48, South Florida 7 I can't see Ian Book having a meltdown game where he tosses interceptions galore and doesn't hit big completions. And a Bulls offense that ranked 109th in yards per play last year won't score much on what should be another sturdy Notre Dame defense. Andrew Mentock: Notre Dame 49, South Florida 24 While I expect new South Florida head coach Jeff Scott to turn the program around after a 4-8 season in 2019, I'd be shocked if the Bulls were ready to be competitive with Notre Dame this fall by week two. The Fighting Irish will get up early in this game, but USF will find a way to put some points on the board in the second half. Mike Singer: Notre Dame 42, South Florida 16 Unlike in 2011, this time around, USF should pose no problem to Notre Dame. I like the Fighting Irish to win big, but not necessarily at the level of New Mexico and Bowling Green last year. Lou Somogyi: Notre Dame 49, South Florida 10 A Florida school's roster will always have talent, but the Bulls' offense was anemic in 2019 during a 4-8 season. With a new staff and not a normal offseason, there probably was not enough time to rectify a lot.