Bulls hold off Clemson
USF blows late lead, hangs on for a win
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – B.J. Daniels threw two touchdowns passes and ran for a third in South Florida’s 31-26 victory over Clemson on Friday in the Meineke Bowl that gave Skip Holtz a strong finish to his first season and left his team full of smiles.
“We are all so happy to be here,” Daniels said. “The coaches have been so supportive and have put a lot of confidence in us.”
Mo Plancher also ran for a score for the Bulls (8-5), who took control after Tigers quarterback Kyle Parker left at halftime with a cracked rib. South Florida secured its fifth straight eight-win season and earned its first bowl win over a team from a BCS automatic-qualifying conference.
“It was really a great team effort all the way around,” said Holtz, who helped the beleaguered Big East move to 3-1 in bowls.
Clemson backup Tajh Boyd was picked off by JaQuez Jenkins on the first play of the fourth quarter. His 48-yard return set up Daniels’ 8-yard TD run to make it 31-13.
Daniels completed 20 of 27 passes for 189 yards, with an interception, to win the MVP award.
“B.J. is a veteran and I made the comment we were going to need his feet with this defensive front with the way they get after the passer,” Holtz said. “I thought he did a great job out there today. He made some super decisions.”
South Florida stormed to a 17-3 second-quarter lead behind Daniels’ TD passes to Demetris Murray and Dontavia Bogan.
Parker led two scoring drives to end the first half, but he was hurt on a 1-yard run before Jamie Harper punched it in from a yard out to make it 17-13 at halftime.
Plancher’s 2-yard TD run early in the third quarter gave South Florida a comfortable cushion again and the elusive Daniels was able to keep Clemson’s stout defense at bay.