USF's Holtz pleased with Saturday scrimmage

TAMPA - University of South Florida coach Skip Holtz was pleased with Saturday's scrimmage, but knows there is a lot of work to be done before the opener against Stony Brook on Sept. 4.

"I don't think we're consistent enough as a football team right now to be where we want to be. I'm grateful that we have every day between now and the opening game of the year to get ready," Holtz said. "We're going to need it. We're going to have to have a great summer. These guys are going to have to do an awful lot on their own for us to get to where we want to be."

MURRAY MAKING A MOVE: With senior RB Mo Plancher (hamstring) sitting out Saturday, sophomore Demetris Murray used the opportunity to showcase his talent.

"Murray is running the ball extremely hard. He's doing some good things. I think he's been a bright spot, definitely," Holtz said. "I think he's getting better and better. He's showing some toughness and being physical. He's getting to the point where he can be an every down back, and as a young player that's a nice thing to have."

LAMAR LEARNING: Sophomore Lindsey Lamar, a former running back, has settled into his new position at receiver.

"He's doing a nice job picking it all up," Holtz said. "I think his role will continue to increase because with his speed and athleticism we're going to have to find some ways to get him the ball in space."

Offensive coordinator Todd Fitch agrees.

"In terms of our skilled athletes, he's the one that has a little juice and will give us a chance to make some big plays," Fitch said.

DANIELS COMING ALONG: Sophomore QB B.J. Daniels, who had surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder in February, is learning his role in the new offense.

"You throw it all at him and see how much he can absorb, then pull back a little bit," Holtz said. "B.J.'s got to continue to play in the system. I don't know how much freedom B.J. had before ... but he just needs to be able to take what the defense gives him and let some people around him make some plays.

"I'm taking probably about 80 percent of the offense from a year ago out of this spring, which was B.J. running around making some things happen."

ODDS AND ENDS: With USF's practice fields in less than ideal condition, the Bulls were grateful to be able to conduct their scrimmage at One Buc Place. "I can't say 'thank you' enough to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization for giving us the opportunity to come out here and do this on their practice fields," Holtz said. ... OL Mark Popek (hip) and Chaz Hine (foot), and TE Andreas Shields (leg) suffered injuries, but Holtz expects all three to be OK.