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USF, FAU, UF Win in Florida DIAA

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USF, FAU, UF Win in Florida DIAA

South Florida win again. Kamenphotos.

South Florida is clearly on top now in the Florida DIAA collegiate league after USF defeated North Florida 58-7.

Center Michael Burrell logged 13 points with four conversions and a try. His elusive running in the #12 jersey was also impressive. USF took North Florida apart mostly because they were confident in using all players in a wide-aligned backline. Their handling and running and ability to find gaps were all consistent among forwards and backs. This was spelled out fairly early, with smooth hands putting fullback Joseph Thornton in at the corner.

A few minutes later lock Derrick Lei-Sam cut through like an outside center and was in at the left side.

Some elusive running from Burrell set up a nice attack that put wing Andrew Ivasyk away in the corner.

Burrell then showed his pace with a run on the outside and than back through the middle for USF's fourth try. Flyhalf Jon Carlo Salani put in a lot of work off the ball to get into position and a weaving run from him, along with a rather ridiculous offload, set up the forwards to bash the line. Salani then squirmed out of the breakdown and set up the next try with a nice, smooth catch-and-pass to wing Dawson Dilworth.

Outside center Luis Paroles capped off some pressure to score out wide before North Florida finally crashed over to get their lone try just before halftime.

In the second half, prop Matthew Bradley crashed over from short range. North Florida started to fall off tackles after that and South Florida cruised from there.

At 3-0 USF is in very good shape and now gets a bye before resuming the season.

Right behind in Florida is the University of Florida Gators. They controlled things nicely over Florida International. Flyhalf Felix Olivero controlled the attack nicely, scored a try, while his brother Justo added two penalty goals and four conversions.

Center Martin Gentile scored two first-half tries as the Gators ran out to a 46-5 victory.  

And finally in a bit of a barnburner Florida Atlantic enjoyed a furious second half to defeat Central Florida 55-35. 

Scrumhalf Mark Carvajal's little cutback run in under the posts inched UCF closer at 24-14 just before halftime. But in the second period, while both teams were scoring points, FAU was scoring a lot. Wing Michael Stephens got them started. Carvajal answered with his second, but a break from flanker Carson Streicher put FAU back in control.

A massive run from No. 8 Beyant Johnecheck put him in for his second. Johnecheck shrugged off several tacklers while charging on for almost 50 meters. Moments later some consistent pressure saw prop Jacob Johnson go over. That made it 46-21 and while UCF did score twice in the latter stages of the game, it was that period of minute 30 to minute 60 where FAU settled the argument.

There will be a big-time showdown next weekend when FAU (their loss was only 19-18 to South Florida) and the Gators.

Florida CC W L T PF PA PD BT BL Pts
South Florida 3 0 0 102 44 58 2 0 14
Florida 2 1 0 85 66 19 3 0 11
Florida Atlantic 1 1 0 66 54 12 1 1 6
Florida State 1 1 0 60 51 9 1 1 6
Central Florida 1 2 0 93 101 -8 2 0 6
Florida International 1 2 0 70 99 -29 2 0 6
North Florida 0 2 0 21 96 -75 0 0 0