There’s good news and not-so-good news when it comes to a pair of USF offensive starters.
First, the good. According to offensive coordinator Paul Wulff, offensive lineman Thor Jozwiak -- could he have played any other position with that name? -- will very likely play in the Bulls’ AAC opener Friday against UConn. Jozwiak suffered an injury in the season opener and hasn’t played since.
He did, though, return to practice this week and would be a welcome addition to a unit that’s struggled mightily without him.
“He does bring some leadership and vocal qualities,” Wulff said according to the Tampa Tribune. “We don’t have a lot of that on the offensive line. We need more of those veteran players to step up that have been here. Thor can give us some of those attributes we’ve been missing there on the offensive front.”
Jozwiak started five games in 2012 and was in line to start the entire 2013 season before being sidelined for the year because of a heart condition.
On the not-so-bright personnel side, head coach Willie Taggart confirmed that star wide receiver Andre Davis will remain sidelined for the foreseeable future. Davis suffered a sternum injury in the opener, and it doesn’t seem like he’s close to returning to the playing field.
“It’s going to take some time to get him right,” Taggart said. “We want Andre to come back when he’s 100-percent healthy. That’s the only way he’s going to help our football team and he’s not 100 percent right now.”
Davis is 14 receptions and 162 yards away from becoming the school’s all-time leader in both categories, surpassing Hugh Smith (131, 1999-2002) and Carlton Mitchell (1,648, 2007-09).