USF’s task against Western Carolina in its season opener Aug. 30 got a little easier this week.
Not that USF needed any help, but Western Carolina announced late last week that five players will be suspended for Saturday’s game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa for what the school described as “violations of the department’s academic standards as it relates to class attendance, tutors and the Academic Enhancement Program or study hall.”
The suspended players are defensive back Bryson Jordan, defensive linemen Fred Mooring and Tajai Watt, and wide receiver Seth Curtis. The biggest blow is losing starting wide receiver Karnorris Benson, who will serve a two-game suspension to open the season because of the NCAA’s academic eligibility requirements.
Benson, a redshirt junior, led all Catamount players last year in receptions (51), receiving yards (832) and receiving touchdowns (12). The number of touchdown catches matched an all-time, single-season record.
“Last year, we initiated more rigid standards of attendance, punctuality and behavior as it related to our Academic Enhancement Program (AEP), which includes tutor sessions, study hall and classes. Unfortunately, some of our student-athletes did not take this seriously and they are now facing the consequences,” said Randy Eaton, Western Carolina director of athletics.
“I want to make sure the young people within our athletic department understand the meaning of ‘student-athlete,’ even if it is a difficult lesson for some of them,” Eaton added.
USF wrapped up its final day of training camp on Aug. 22, and the team and coaching staff are pumped for Saturday’s first game of the season.
“I’m very excited about the progress of our team and the job our coaching staff has done,” head coach Willie Taggart said. “I’m really excited to see our guys go play, I’m kind of like everyone else. They’ve worked really hard this offseason, really good spring ball, really good training camp and I’m like the rest of you. I want to see these guys go out and perform.”
Taggart indicated the team has improved “in all areas” throughout camp and he is feeling good ahead of the season opener against Western Carolina.
“We’re confident and it’s not false confidence,” said senior right guard Quinterrius Eatmon. “I think everybody has realized hard work can pay off and the proof is in the pudding. Everybody has gotten bigger, faster and stronger and we’re coming out here at practice with more confidence. You see guys making plays and I think it’s just going to translate into the games.”
The Bulls received a visitor at camp on Friday when former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy stopped by practice. Dungy’s son, Eric, is a receiver on the team this fall after transferring from Oregon.
“It is great. We enjoyed the time out in Oregon, we made some good friends out there and the trips were always fun, but certainly riding 15 minutes to Raymond James will be different than leaving Friday and flying seven hours, trying to get to the home games, it will be a lot easier. It will be fun being back in the stadium again,” Dungy said.
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