TAMPA - When the University of South Florida defense got on its second half roll against Syracuse, USF LB Tyrone McKenzie said it almost happened so fast the Bulls couldn't enjoy it.
"You're in there and it's all these three and outs," McKenzie said. "It's going by so fast, you must be doing something good. It's great for us to give the offense a chance to make some plays."
Using a 24-0 second half, the Bulls pulled away from Syracuse 45-13 for a homecoming win Saturday.
In the first half, Syracuse had 221 yards. In the second half, the Orange had six possessions and no first downs. They ran 18 plays for nine yards.
"I've never seen us more dominant," said McKenzie, who had a team-high 6 1/2 tackles. "I feel great that we came out in the second half and stepped it up"
The Bulls (6-1, 1-1 Big East) visit Louisville (4-2, 0-1) Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
WHAT WENT RIGHT: USF's offense took advantage of the Big East's worst defense. Sporting a "Grohawk" for the first time this season, QB Matt Grothe had 320 yards total offense and accounted for a career-high tying four TDs. "The Grohawk is here to stay," Grothe said. ... Senior RB Ben Williams, who got the start, had three receptions for 65 yards. ... For the second time in three games, the offensive line did not allow a sack.
WHAT WENT WRONG: The Bulls only had six penalties, but two gave Syracuse first downs: Cameron Perkins' running into the kicker penalty on 4th-and-3 and Aaron Harris' offsides penalty on 4th-and-inches from Syracuse's 20. ... WR Marcus Edwards lost a fumble inside SU's 20 in the third quarter.
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