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IT’S GAME TIME! THE ORACLE Starting quarterback Blake Barnett and offensive coordinator Kerwin Bell. 2 FOOTBALL PREVIEW FALL 2019 THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019 ● THE ORACLE The persistent visionary . Page 4 USF quarterback. Page 6 2019 schedule . Page 9 2019 roster . Page 10 Photos from Fan Fest . Page 13 Away game opinion . Page 15 #FatBoyFridays . Page 18 THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019 ● THE ORACLE FOOTBALL PREVIEW FALL 2019 3 4 FOOTBALL PREVIEW FALL 2019 THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019 ● THE ORACLE The persistent visionary Meet Kerwin Bell, the walked-on at Florida — and talented guy, not the smartest to be coached really hard, but persistent visionary. found himself eighth on the guy, not the best looking guy,” that’s what we want. We didn’t Bell came to USF after quarterback depth chart his Bell said. “I’ve always told people come out here to be told that leading Division II Valdosta freshman season of 1983, which how I’ve made it, really, is I’ve just we’re great at everything.” State to an undefeated national he wound up redshirting. Bell been persistent. Bell’s competitive spirit can championship season in 2018. In eventually worked his way to the “I’m a visionary, I believe. I’ve be traced to his playing days, Brian Hattab the process, the Blazers broke the top, finishing his collegiate career always been a visionary guy … I according to head coach Charlie Gulf South Conference’s scoring as one of the most decorated can see a goal way off, and I can Strong, who has known Bell since SPORTS EDITOR record with 728 points. Gators of all time, throwing for focus on that goal. And I’ll do they were both at Florida in the His success didn’t start in 7,585 yards and 56 touchdowns whatever I had to do to reach that mid-80s — Bell the eventual It might be fair to say USF’s southern Georgia, however. during his four years with the goal with persistence.” starting quarterback and Strong offense wasn’t persistent enough Bell was the star quarterback Gators. If you ask anyone who knows a graduate assistant. when it had the football last at Lafayette County High School Bell’s never-quit mentality has Bell what they think of him, “Kerwin is positive and the season. in his North Central Florida served him well, not just during you’ll get nothing but praise for guys know that he’s a competitor,” After all, the Bulls finished hometown of Mayo, leading his his time at Florida, but in all his the persistent visionary. Strong said. “Anytime you play seventh in the 12-team AAC and team to a state championship in stops since, including coaching “He’s everything you’d want quarterback, you’re going to be 69th in the 130-team FBS in total 1981. stints in the CFL, Trinity High in a coach in terms of he’s fair,” a competitor. And it’s just how offense. However, he did not receive School in Ocala and now at three quarterback Blake Barnett said. he goes about it. How he and Fortunately, USF’s new any collegiate scholarships out of different levels of college football. “If he’s going to be hard on you, the relationship that he has offensive coordinator has been high school. “That’s sort of been my m.o. is he’s hard on everyone the same … developed with our players — persistent his entire career. Ever determined, Bell that I’m not probably the most There’s give and take. We’re going n See BELL on PAGE 5 Grand Opening Special! BoGo! Custom Ice cream sandwiches with fresh baked Buy any one item at cookies and homemade ice cream! regular price and Vegan, Dairy Free, Gluten Free options! Hand spun milk shakes! receive another Awesome Ice cream sundaes! item equal or less value for free! Chill Bar Ice Cream: 11506 N. 56th. St. Expires: 9/15/2019 Temple Terrace FL 33617 813-899-1616 must present this coupon chillbaricecream.com for bogo special THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019 ● THE ORACLE FOOTBALL PREVIEW FALL 2019 5 BELL kind of detail and that kind of record and three conference a lot of work. Understand the setbacks at USF. There always Continued from PAGE 4 coaching … that’s what triggered championships. detail that you’ve got to coach are when something new is tried. But don’t worry about Bell if and not only on offense, but on when those failures happen. defense, as a team. He’s done a After all, despite all the success great job of coming in and just he’s had, it’s not like he hasn’t setting us up in place, which has experienced falling down before. been really good.” “I’ve been a failure a lot more Like Strong, Bell served as times than I’ve been successful,” a graduate assistant with the Bell said. “I got cut seven times by Gators. However, Bell had the NFL teams and kept getting back opportunity to work under one up and giving it another try. I of the most legendary coaches just believe the big thing about if of all time — Steve Spurrier. If you’re trying to obtain a goal and not for the “Head Ball Coach,” you have the vision of where you Bell may never have entered the want to take this offense, there’s coaching realm. going to be a lot of failures along “I had never seen a guy coach the way. with such great detail,” Bell said. USF offensive coordinator Kerwin Bell has been persistent throughout his entire football career. PHOTO “But you can’t be afraid of “His whole thought process when COURTESY OF USF ATHLETICS those failures. If it happens, he went to practice or when he you’ve just got to continue to was trying to develop a system me to become a coach.” Installing an offense is not an at every day … As I’ve gone grind and eventually good things or with his players, it was trying Since the spring, Bell has been easy task, though, but thanks to through my career, that’s sort of will happen.” to obtain perfection on the field. installing his offense for the his unlikely rise, Bell knows to been my philosophy is that you That’s just the kind of thing And I had never seen that before third time at the collegiate level trust the process and keep things get knocked down, just get back you’d expect to hear from the … And that intrigued me. I didn’t — prior to Valdosta State, he led in perspective. at work a little bit harder and persistent visionary. even want to be a coach until I FCS Jacksonville for nine years, “Just don’t get frustrated,” Bell things will work their way out.” was around him and seeing that leading the Dolphins to a 66-35 said. “Understand that there’s But there are sure to be S-O-U-T-H-F-L-O-R-I-D-A SOUTH – FLORIDA, SOUTH – FLORIDA GO BULLS! Bulls welcome the players, coaches, and fans of our opponents with great respect and the wonderful hospitality that is the hallmark of Bulls everywhere. Enjoy the game and BE RESPECT-A-BULL! Stay hydrated. Get ready for game day with these tips from the Dean of Students Office. Drink water! Bull Blitz! Tailgating Safety Student Government sponsors transportation to the game! • Sun safety – wear sunblock, hats, and stay hydrated • You must bring a USF Student ID • Be aware of surroundings and watch for vehicles that • Those under 17 must be accompanied by a parent/ might not see you in the parking lots guardian to sign the waiver at the pickup location Stadium Safety • Buses depart from the MSC bus loop starting • Text 33607 to report safety concerns to Raymond James 3 hours prior to the game • Be CLEAR on game day. Read the Bag Policy at • There is limited space so arrive early. Buses are first http://raymondjamesstadium.com/stadium-fan-policies/ come, first served • Don’t leave drinks and food unattended • Visit usf.edu/sg for times 6 FOOTBALL PREVIEW FALL 2019 THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019 ● THE ORACLE The family man under center Santiago High School in Corona, and was able to get tickets to the California, at the time, met his game. now-wife Maddie Barnett at the Blake and Maddie met at the 2015 Under Armour All-America game and began dating shortly Game at Tropicana Field in St. after. After a year of a mostly Petersburg. long-distance relationship, Blake Nolan Brown “We had connected over proposed to Maddie and they Instagram at the time like every became engaged in 2016. STAFF WRITER young kid does nowadays,” Blake “He was so supportive from a said. “I let her know I was going distance,” Maddie said. “I think If someone were to tell a to be there and ironically, she the main thing I learned was young Blake Barnett that at age was going to be in Bradenton that distance definitely made the 23 he’d be married, have a son because her grandmother lives heart grow fonder.” and be playing college football, there.” Two years later, the Barnetts he’d probably tell them they Maddie, deep into her tied the knot. were crazy. professional surfing career at the Blake and Maddie, who But now in his senior year at time, was sponsored by Under were in their early 20s at the Blake Barnett and his wife, Maddie, are finding the balance between USF, he’s doing just that.

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