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Bulls hit the field for the first time for camp

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South Florida hit the practices fields for the first time this fall a full week before most teams. The Bulls open up with a trip to San Jose State on August 26th as the one of the five opening games for the college football season that Saturday.

Head coach Charlie Strong's squad hit the field in helmets and shorts for practice on Monday.

"At times we looked good, but we just have to catch the ball better. Our offensive line was just able to open up some holes and let our running backs run through. Defensively we know we need a big improvement. We have to get better and there is no reason not to. Guys have to believe in themselves and hold each other accountable. The kicking game is solid with both our kicker and our punter back, so we have a chance to make something happen. We have to work every single day and win that day," Strong said. "The defense felt like the offense carried them last year so they have something to prove."

Quarterback Quinton Flowers has been racking up preseason awards watch list mentions, but he says last year is in the rearview mirror now and he knows the Bulls have a target on their backs.

"For the first day I'd say a lot of guys go after it especially the new guys. It was kind of hot and our first time practicing in this type of weather. We are coming off a magical season and a lot of people are out for us and at the end of the day we just need to come together as a team and keep playing," Flowers said.

"We just have to get after it. Coaches treat practice just like a game and we have to get up to the line and be ready to run it. Guys try to get up to the ball and find it quickly. Even if the play goes out of bounds we try to toss the ball to the ref in the middle of the field so we can get our signal and go," Flowers said. "It is the same offense with just different calls and a lot faster."

Injured Bulls Vincent Jackson, Auggie Sanchez, Tyre McCants, Kirk Livingstone and Jeremi Hall all practiced on Monday. All of them missed the spring with various aliments.

"Tyre came out and made a lot of great plays today, it was like his old self," Flowers said of one of his top wideout targets.