Hicks Record Day Leads USF Football to 30-10 Victory over UAB
TAMPA (www.jaxsportsnews.com) – Defensive end C.J. Hicks delivered a record-setting defensive performance to lead South Florida (6-2; 2-2 American) to a 30-10 victory over UAB (4-4; 2-2 American) Saturday at Raymond James Stadium.
The Bulls improved to17-5 at home over the last four seasons and remained in the hunt for a top American Conference finish with four regular season games remaining. USF clinched bowl eligibility for the fourth-straight season, tying the second-longest streak in program history, but still has its eye on a higher prize.
Hicks was dominating in a strong defensive effort that saw the Bulls shut UAB out after their first two possessions and limit the Blazers to a season-low 17 rushing yards, just 10 first downs and 177 total yards. Hicks was part of a season-high six sacks and 11 tackles for loss for the Bulls as he tied a program-record with four sacks of his own. Two of those sacks forced fumbles that were returned for touchdowns.
Trailing 10-0 early in the second quarter, Bulls quarterback Michael Van Buren exited the game with an injury and sophomore Luke Kromenhoek entered. He combined with Hicks to spark a 30-0 Bulls scoring run, converting his first two possessions under center for points and leading USF to a 17-10 halftime lead.
Kromenhoek finished the day with a career-best 92 yards rushing, the most for a USF quarterback since Byrum Brown ran 104 vs. Rice last year. Kromenhoek’s 42-yard, tackle-breaking run on his first possession under center sent electricity through the USF sideline.
UAB jumped to an early 10-0 lead, taking the opening kickoff and driving 67 yards for a touchdown on Roderick Robinson’s five-yard run. A 41-yard pass play set up the early score.
After forcing the Bulls to punt on their opening possession, UAB again drove deep into USF territory, reaching the Bulls 8 before a third-down sack from Grayson Howard forced a 30-yard field goal. Howard ended the day with a team-leading eight tackles, two sacks, and a fumble return for a touchdown.
On the Bulls’ second possession, Van Buren moved the offense to the USF43 where they faced a 3rd-and-2. Kromenhoek came on for a quarterback keeper but was stopped a yard short. The Bulls went for it on 4th-and-1, but Van Buren’s pass under pressure was incomplete.
UAB got one first down and moved to the USF23 where the defense stiffened again and forced a 41-yard field goal that went sailed wide right, one of two missed field goals on the day.
The Bulls offense came back on the field, this time with Kromenhoek under center. USF gained two first downs and then on 1st-and-19 at the USF45, Kromenhoek ran over the right side, broke multiple tackles and rumbled 42 yards the UAB13. A UAB sack stymied the drive and the Bulls settled for a 31-yard Nico Gramatica to get on the board.
On UAB’s next possession, Hicks got a big third down sack that forced a punt and continued to flip the momentum in the Bulls favor. Following the punt from the USF15, the Bulls took over on their own 48.
Kromenhoek again led the Bulls to the redzone on the strength of his legs, this time taking the ball around the right side for a 25-yard gain to the UAB10. Two plays later, Jason Collins ran in from six yards out and tied the game at 10.
On UAB’s next possession, Hicks struck again, lighting up Blazer quarterback Ryder Burton on first down at the UAB17. Burton fumbled on the sack and Asani Redwood scooped it up and scored to give the Bulls a 17-10 lead and all the momentum going into halftime.
For the first points in the second half, USF drove 45 yards to the UAB 12 before settling for a 30-yard Gramatica field goal and a 20-10 lead.
The Bulls defense stymied the Blazers on all seven of their second half drives of the half, allowing just 66 yards and forcing three punts, a fumble, missed field goals and turnover on downs.
Hicks logged his third sack of the day to end the Blazers third drive at the UAB 22.
He delivered a USF record-tying fourth sack early in the fourth quarter and the Bulls used it to score again. This one came on 3rd-and-10 on UAB’s 19. He again leveled Burton, forced the ball out and Howard scooped the fumble and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown and a 27-10 lead.
Gramatica tacked on the final points of the game with a 33-yard field goal, his third of the day.
KEY STATS
• South Florida out rushed UAB 191 to 17 on the day, averaging 4.4 yards per carry to UAB’s 0.5.
• The Bulls defense recorded season highs of 6 sacks and 11 tackles for loss and scored 12 points on a pair of scoop-and-score touchdowns. The defense has scored 20 points in the last two games.
• The USF defense forced two turnovers while the USF offense did not commit a turnover. It marked the Bulls fourth straight game without a turnover and sixth on the year in eight games.
NOTABLES
• Jack C.J. Hicks – Had a huge game recording a USF record-tying four sacks and triggering two scoop-and-score touchdowns – giving him three such plays in the Bulls’ last two games. His four sacks tied the USF record set by USF Athletic Hall of Famer George Selvie (vs. Elon, 2007) and Shurron Pierson (vs. Southern Miss, 2002)
• QB Luke Kromenhoek – ran for a career-best 92 yards on 15 carries, including runs of 42 and 25 yards. His 42-yard run tied the Bulls second-longest offensive play of the year.
• K Nico Gramatica – went 3-of-3 on field goals (30, 31 and 33 yards) and had three extra points for 12 points on the day.
UP NEXT
South Florida hits the road for the first of two mid-week, primetime games as the Bulls take on ECU in Greenville, N.C. on Friday, Nov. 6. The game will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2. USF will return to Raymond James Stadiun on Thursday, Nov. 12 for an 8:00 p.m. kickoff vs. Memphis.
