USF Storm Back to Beat Tulsa Behind Andre Davis and Mike White

Oct 11, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Mike White (14) drops back to pass in the first quarter against the East Carolina Pirates at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

After setting the USF school record for receiving yards last week, Andre Davis now holds the school record for receiving touchdowns.

Davis caught three touchdown passes from Mike White as USF stormed back from a 27-7 half time deficit to win 38-30 on the road against Tulsa.

It was the biggest comeback in school history. Their previous best was a 17-point comeback against Kansas in 2008.

All three of Davis’ touchdowns came in the second half. Trailing 30-14, White finished a seven play, 52-yard drive by hitting Davis from 15 yards out.

Two drives later, and after USF (3-4) had blocked a Tulsa field goal, White hit Davis again for a 15-yard score to cut the lead to 30-28 with 9:23 left in the fourth quarter.

3:10 later, USF had an improbable lead.

After the Bulls defense had forced Tulsa (1-6) into a punt that was fair caught on the 15, White connected with Davis on the very next play for an 85-yard touchdown that propelled the Bulls into a 35-30 lead.

Marvin Kloss would secure the win by kicking a 28-yard field goal with 2:33 left.

White completed 17-of-26 passes for 272 yards while Davis caught six passes for 154 yards. Davis is also the school’s all-time leader in receptions (130) as he passed Hugh Smith (126). The senior also has the most 100-yard games in USF history (6) and now has 14 touchdown receptions.

It wasn’t all delightful for USF though.

White threw a pick six on the Bulls’ first drive but the Bulls got back in the game after Tashon Whitehurst recovered a James Flanders fumble. Two plays later, Marlon Mack was standing in the end zone after a 34-yard run.

Tulsa would score on their next three drives as Carl Salazar kicked a field goal, Bishop Louie ran in from 18 yards out and Dane Evans threw an 8-yard score to Keevan Lewis with 10:31 left in the second that had been set up by a Kennard Swanson fumble. Salazar would tack on another field goal as time expired in the first half.

USF answered on their opening drive of the second half as Mack ran in from 54 yards out but Salazar extended the lead to 30-14 with another field goal before White and Davis stole the show. Tulsa wouldn’t reach the red zone for the final 22:27 of the game after Salazar’s third field goal.

Mack ran for 130 yards on 19 carries.

The USF defense gave up 488 yards, 314 of which came from Evans’ arm. Auggie Sanchez had a game high 11 tackles while Elkino Watson had seven, including the Bulls’ lone sack of the day. He also had 3.5 tackles for loss.

USF are on the road Friday night when they play Cincinnati.