Rutgers 20, South Florida 17: Scarlet Knights Come From Behind To Earn Bowl Eligibility

It wasn't easy, but the Rutgers University football team is headed back to the postseason for the fifth time in six years. The Scarlet Knights trailed South Florida by two touchdowns midway through the fourth quarter Saturday night, but Jeremy Deering's 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown sparked a late comeback and San San Te's 37-yard field goal sealed a 20-17 overtime victory. The win snapped a two-game losing streak for Rutgers and made the Scarlet Knights bowl eligible.

Rutgers' offense produced just three points through the first three quarters as the Bulls (4-4, 0-4 Big East) built a 17-3 lead on Demetris Murray's four-yard touchdown run with 7:38 to play. Deering's kickoff return that followed tied the third-longest in school history before Rutgers (6-3, 3-2 Big East) tied the game on their next possession. Mohamed Sanu made seven catches on the 80-yard drive, but it was Brandon Coleman who hauled in the game-tying pass with 1:08 remaining, a 34-yard strike from quarterback Chas Dodd, who replaced starter Gary Nova to start the fourth quarter.

South Florida had a chance to win the game in regulation after it drove the ball to the Rutgers10, but Maikon Bonani missed a 27-yard field goal as time ran out. Bulls quarterback B.J. Daniels was intercepted by Duron Harmon to start the overtime period, setting up San San Te's game-winner.

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Rutgers Vs. USF: Scouting The Bulls

Rutgers University will try to end a two-game losing streak Saturday as it host the University of South Florida in a Big East Conference contest at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, NJ. The Scarlet Knights (5-3, 2-2 Big East) are trying to become bowl eligible, while the Bulls (4-3, 0-3) are trying to snap a three-game Big East skid.

If you're a Rutgers football fan and don't know much about USF, here's a brief scouting report:

Head Coach

Skip Holtz, the son of legendary head coach Lou Holtz, is currently in his second season at USF. Last season, the Bulls compiled their fifth consecutive eight-win season and defeated Clemson University, 31-26, in the Meineke
Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, NC.

This Season

The Bulls began the year like a house on fire. In Week 1, USF knocked off the University of Notre Dame, 23-20, and then strung together three more victories. The four-game winning streak allowed the Bulls to sneak into the top 25 rankings, however, the national attention was short lived.

The following week, USF lost at the University of Pittsburgh, 44-17, and then to the University of Connecticut, 16-10. A week later, the Bulls were edged by the University of Cincinnati, 37-34, in the final seconds.

Needless to say, USF will be coming off a bye week and hungry for a victory.

Offense

Junior quarterback B.J. Daniels leads the Bulls offense. Daniels is a duel threat as he runs it just as well as he can pass it. Last week, Daniels tossed for 409 yards in the loss to Cincy and also ran for a touchdown. Daniels is ranked second in the conference with 266.71 passing yards per game and has ran for a touchdown in the Bulls' last five games. Wide receiver Sterling Griffin, who is ranked third in the league with 5.71 catches per game, is Daniels' favorite target.

USF's offense, which is second in the league in both passing (282.12 yards per game) and rushing (196.71), is explosive, but has a tendency of turning the ball over (15). Daniels also has been sacked nine times this season (second highest in the league).

Defense

Once the strongest aspect of the USF football program, the Bulls have been inconsistent on defense this year. Currently, the Bulls are getting after the opponents quarterback (2.39 sacks per game), but they're allowing 124.48-rushing yards per game.

The Bulls have been giving up 23.6 points and 362.3 yards per game. Those numbers are in the middle of the Big East pack.

Conclusion

USF is talented and has a lot of athletes, but if the Rutgers defense can get after Daniels and limit the big plays, the Scarlet Knights have a good chance to win.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Vs. South Florida Bulls: Somebody Has To Win