TAMPA -- South Florida quarterback B.J. Daniels threw three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth as the host Bulls defeated Chattanooga 34-13 in the season opener for both teams.
The Mocs trailed 21-3 in the second quarter, but scored the team's first touchdown of the season as Keon Williams scored on a 3-yard run late in the second quarter to pull within 11 at 21-10.
The Mocs were in the red zone twice in the final three minutes of the first half, coverting on the second attempt.
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A Daniels to Sterli Griffith 39-yard touchdown pass at 10:35 of the third quarter upped the Bulls lead at 27-10.
The Mocs answered 10 minutes later with a 46- yard field goal by true freshman Ribeiro with 46 seconds remaining in the third for a 27-13 score.
Daniels ran 20 yards for a touchdown at 9:52 of the fourth quarter for the final score of the game.
"Our defensive line played unbelievable, but overall I don't think we played well and South Floirda had a lot to do with that," said UTC head ooach Russ Huesman.
"I doubt we will play another team this year with quite the athletes that South Florida has."
Hope It Hurts: "I hope that our players expect to be good and do well and I hope this loss hurts," Huesman stated.
Playing Hard: "I don't want anyone coming up to our players and patting them on the back saying good effort and you played hard.
"We are way beyond playing hard. We need to focus on winning games and winning championships.
"But I do love this group of players. We have a chance to be a really good football team and be the best team in my four years here."
USF Scored First: The Bulls opened the scoring on a 2-yard run by Demetri Murray at 7:41 of the first quarter.
The Mocs made it 7-3 on a Pollard 39-yard field goal at 3:39 on the first quarter.
USF then scored twice within five minutes in the second quarter as Daniels connected with Derric Hopkins for 19 yards and a score at 12:44 and then found Terre Mitchell for a 38-yard score at 7:27 to make it 21-3.
Mocs in the Red Zone: Mocs Freshman quarterback Jacob Huesman's 5-yard touchdown run at 1:59 was nullified due to a holding call and Nick Pollard then missed a 40-yard field goal attempt to keep the score at 21-3.
Mocs defensive back D.J. Key then picked off a Daniels pass and returned it 43 yards to the USF 5- yard line to set up Williams touchdown run with 43 seconds on the clock before halftime. Pollard's extra point made it 21-10.
Good Second Quarter Drive: Huesman led the Mocs on a 14-play, 52 yard drive to the Bulls 3-yard line late in the quarter before his touchdown run was nullified.
Notes: Terrell Robinson started the game at quarterback for UTC ... Jacob Huesman started the second half .... The Mocs picked up their first, first down of the game at 11:13 of the second quarter on a 17-yard run by Robinson ...