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USF Football: Penalties a huge yellow flag on Bulls’ win

By Matthew Bartlett

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 2: Head coach Charlie Strong of the South Florida Bulls yells instructions to his team on the field during the game against the Stony Brook Sea Wolves at Raymond James Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett Jr. /Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 2: Head coach Charlie Strong of the South Florida Bulls yells instructions to his team on the field during the game against the Stony Brook Sea Wolves at Raymond James Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett Jr. /Getty Images) /
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USF football is 3-0 after a win at home against Illinois on Friday. While the desired outcome was achieved it wasn’t a perfect night for the Bulls.

The Bulls came into Friday night averaging 7.5 penalties per game. Their opponent, Illinois, was a touch better, averaging six infractions per contest. These two teams combined for 26 penalties in the first half of play. The rate slowed down in the second half. Still, it was abundantly clear that the rust of having to play on one day less rest was affecting both squads. The two schools would finish with 31 penalties for 293 yards.

Illinois is not expected to be a bowl team. Some mental lapses on their end can be forgiven, if not expected. South Florida, on the other hand, is the front-runner to earn a New Year’s Six berth given to the highest ranking Group of Five team at the end of the season.

Handing away free first downs and extra yardage is not a recipe for continued success. The Bulls don’t have much margin for error as one loss could be the difference maker between a prime time bowl slot and a consolation trip. Charlie Strong earned a reputation as a disciplinarian in his short stint at the University of Texas. It looks like he might need to tighten things up before they get even further out of hand at South Florida.

The Bulls finished the game with 16 penalties for 155 yards. They’d also add one interception to the comedy of errors. Perhaps this was one bad night and they’ll be back to business as usual next weekend.

Next: 3 takeaways from USF's win over Illinois

If this issue doesn’t get fixed fast they will be in danger of losing a game or two in American conference play. That would mean no College Football Playoff and no New Year’s Six Bowl. That’s a lot more than just one yellow flag on the line.

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