* As an alum and former employee of USF–as well as a Bulls’ season-ticket holder–it was brutal to watch the early stages of the televised USF-San Jose State game last Saturday. Call it the first quarter from hell, as in sloppy–as in unexpectedly, Charley Strong-debut sloppy–against a three-touchdown underdog. For a while, it was an eerie reminder of another debut: Willie Taggart’s Bulls vs. 1-AA McNeese State in 2013 at RayJay. A stunningly embarrassing 53-21 beating. One that USF paid McNeese $400,000 to administer.
But this time USF regrouped, asserted themselves and pounded out a 42-22 win over SJS. In so doing, the Bulls kept alive what could still be a special season, even if it didn’t help the long-shot Heisman hopes of quarterback Quinton Flowers.
BTW, the Bulls scored at least 30 points for the 18th game in a row–the nation’s longest streak–with Stony Brook coming in Saturday for what should be No. 19.
* Timing is everything. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred makes it a point to visit with every franchise. Last week, a Wednesday night game against Toronto, it was the Rays turn. It was the smallest Rays crowd (8,264) in more than a decade. It graphically underscored the Rays dire need for a new stadium at a new site. “I think it’s fair to say we’d like the process to take on a little better pace moving forward,” understated Manfred, trying to be more diplomat than alarmist.
* The bowl game at the Trop in St. Pete has, yet, another sponsor-induced name: the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl. One consolation: At least it’s not the 1-800-Ask-Gary Bowl. At least not yet.
* OK, the long-anticipated fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor had the anticipated result. The undefeated boxer beat the mixed martial arts guy in his first boxing match. The biggest sigh of relief was from bookies, who would have been TKO’d had McGregor, a prohibitive underdog, prevailed.