Fortin and Weaver connect for two touchdowns and a pair of spectacular plays
TAMPA, MARCH 27, 2021 – Bulls head coach Jeff Scott saw exactly what he expected Saturday in his first Spring Game at USF as the Bulls capped off 15 very productive spring practices with an exciting exhibition at Raymond James Stadium that saw a combined 52 points and 858 offensive yards, 626 of those through the air.
The fireworks started from the get-go as sophomore quarterback Cade Fortin (Suwanee, Ga.) connected with sophomore wide receiver Xavier Weaver (Orlando) for a 50-yard bomb on the first play from scrimmage. Fortin would cap off the opening 75-yard drive for the Green Team with a strike to Weaver in the back of the end zone six plays later.
Fortin connected with Weaver for a 40-yard TD pass later in the first quarter, as Weaver escaped multiple tacklers, spun, juked and sprinted his way to pay dirt for a 14-0 lead for the Green Team.
Fortin and Weaver wrapped up their impressive outings in the first half. Fortin completed 14-of-23 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns while Weaver posted three catches for 97 yards and a pair of TDs.
Junior kicker Jared Sackett (Fort Worth, Texas) tacked on a 38-yard field goal early in the second quarter to give the Green a 17-0 lead. The Green scored on three of its first four drives, including touchdowns in its first two. Meanwhile, the Green defense forced four straight punts and recovered a fumble on its opening five possessions.
Sophomore Miami transfer Jarren Williams (Lawrenceville, Ga.) led the White team offense in the first half, playing without junior wide receiver Latrell Williams (Lake City) who had an outstanding spring but sat out the game with a minor injury.
A trick play moved the White into scoring position as wide receiver Sean Atkins (Viera) hit fellow wideout Sincere Brown (Charleston, S.C.) on a 48-yard pass. But Will Jones (Mansfield, Texas) forced a fumble recovered by Rashawn Yates (Port ST. Lucie) to end the threat at the 16.
Williams got the offense moving late in the half and drove the team 73 yards in nine plays capped by a three-yard pass to Omarion Dollison (Columbia, S.C.) to cut the Green lead to 17-7 at the half. Williams ended his day 9-of-19 for 98 yards and one touchdown.
Freshman quarterback Timmy McClain (Sanford) took the reins of the White offense in the second half and put together an 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive capped by his three-yard touchdown sprint to the corner of the endzone.
Freshman Katravis Marsh (Hialeah, Fla.) quarterbacked the Green in the second half and answered with a pair of touchdown drives. The first started with a beautiful 67-yard bomb to Bryce Miller (St. Petersburg). The three-play, 75-yard drive was capped by a three-yard touchdown run by Darrian Felix (Fort Myers).
Marsh then moved the Green 78 yards in eight plays, capped by his three-yard touchdown run, to give the Green a commanding 31-14 lead.
McClain wasn’t done as he moved the White 75 yards in seven plays and connected with Dollison on a 16-yard touchdown pass to cut the final margin to 31-21.
McClain finished the game 8-of-13 for 117 yards and one touchdown through the air and added 30 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Marsh went 4-of-6 for 125 yards through the air with a pair scoring drives. Miller caught three passes for a game high 101 yards and Dollison posted a game-high five catches for 47 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Kansas State transfer Will Jones II joined Vincent Davis (Jacksonville, Fla.) in leading the Green team with six tackles. Josh Green (Palm Harbor) led the White with eight tackles while Jason Vaughn (Miami) added six tackles and a game-high two sacks.
NOTABLES
Pass Yards: The Bulls combined for 626 yards through the air, including 349 from Green team quarterbacks Cade Fortin and Katravis Marsh
TD Tosses: Three Bulls quarterbacks (Fortin, Mclain and Williams) posted a touchdown pass in the game while Bulls’ receivers Xavier Weaver and Omarion Dollison both recorded a pair of touchdown receptions.
Third Downs: The Green team went 9-of-15 on third down conversions
Sacks: Green posted three sacks with Tramel Logan, Rashawn Yates and Mac Harris all recording a sack. The White team recorded two, both by Jason Vaughn.
Ground Game: Quarterback Timmy McClain led the White team rushing for 30 yards while Yasias Young led the Green with 53 yards. Primary running backs Kelley Joiner, Darrian Felix and Brian Battie saw limited carries.
New season ticket sales began on March 1. Secure your seats for the 2021 season by calling or texting 1-800-GoBulls or by visiting USFBULLSTIX.com. Fans can enjoy a select-a-seat opportunity at the stadium prior to kickoff of the Spring Game.
ABOUT USF FOOTBALL
The USF football program first took the field in 1997 and will celebrate its 25th season (22nd at the FBS level) in 2021. The Bulls have posted 15 winning seasons, earned 14 All-America selections and 29 first-team all-conference selections, and have seen 30 players selected in the NFL Draft. USF has made 10 bowl games appearances (going 6-4 in those games) and posted a program-record six straight appearances from 2005-2010. The Bulls most recently made four straight bowl appearances from 2015-18 and posted back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2016 and 2017, logging a program-record 11-2 mark in 2016 while finishing both seasons ranked in the Top 25. USF spent a program-record 20 straight weeks ranked in the Top 25 during the 2016 and 2017 seasons and reached as high as No. 2 in the national rankings during the 2007 season.
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