Big East Coach of the Week: Skip Holtz, South Florida

There was a point in South Florida's win over Nevada last Saturday when it seemed that the trip out west was ill-conceived. There were less than three minutes remaining, and the Bulls, trailing 31-20, had no answer for Wolf Pack quarterback Cody Fajardo.

Skip Holtz led South Florida to a thrilling comeback victory over Nevada on Saturday. (US Presswire)

There was a point in South Florida's win over Nevada last Saturday when it seemed that the trip out west was ill-conceived. There were less than three minutes remaining, and the Bulls, trailing 31-20, had no answer for Wolf Pack quarterback Cody Fajardo.

South Florida coach Skip Holtz, admittedly nervous, looked to his senior quarterback B.J. Daniels for guidance.

“B.J. did a great job,” Holtz told the Associated Press. “Boy, he was poised. Even to the point where he was starting to (tick) me off a little bit, he was so calm.

“I was saying 'B.J. let’s go, let’s go.’ He was like, 'Calm down. We’ve got this.'"

So perhaps Holtz is coach of the week, with an assist to Daniels. Still, it took some courage to travel to Nevada -- a tough place to play -- for a second-week matchup in advance of a quick turnaround. The Bulls will face Rutgers on Thursday night.

By game's end, USF had scored consecutive touchdowns -- one with just 38 seconds remaining -- to slip past Nevada 32-31. Holtz's mettle will truly be shown Thursday when the Scarlet Knights visit, boasting a dominant defense. If the Bulls can get the win Thursday, they will likely be 4-0 when No. 5 Florida State visits Tampa.

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Big East, follow bloggers Evan Hilbert and Matt Rybaltowski @CBSBigEast.