TAMPA BAY, Fla. -- Marcus Rush ran for a career high 210 yards and a touchdown to help his team beat Florida Atlantic 31-6.

He also broke off three runs for at least 20+ yards, one going for a 25 yard touchdown.

South Florida (2-1, 0-0) started the game off with a near two minute drive for a touchdown. Little bit later in the first, quarterback Bobby Eveld would hit his receiver Derrick Hopkins and Hopkins took off for a huge 74 yard touchdown to give the Bulls a 14-0 lead.

Hopkins caught the ball only 3 times, but would have 126 yards receiving. Sean Price would be the only other receiver with positive yards receiving with 69 yards. Andre Davis caught a pass for -1 yards.

That wasn't the only big play from the Bulls, as they had many big pass and run plays on the day. Which is a big reason for Florida Atlantic (0-3, 0-1) having 9 more first downs than them with 23.

The Owls would get just inside the Bull's 50 for most of the game, but would then stall.

"We played good for most of the every drive, but then when we needed a big third down, we just couldn't get it done." Said head coach Greg Patterson. "We kept having 3rd and long due to a sack or the halfback getting tackled in the backfield."

Despite another loss. Florida Atlantic fans have to be happy what they saw from junior quarterback [url=http://ncaa.avidmanager.com/FloridaAtlantic-6882/StephenCurtis-309356/player_seasons/387180]Stephen Curtis[/url]. Curtis started the game off sharp completing 10 in row passes after having his first incomplete. He finished 29 for 51, 303 yards, a touchdown, and a lone interception which occurred on his last pass attempt of the game.

"I really liked what I saw from him [Stephen Curtis] today. He played great out there and would have, and should have better stats than he did. If his receivers wouldn't stop dropping the ball. It doesn't matter how many great throws your QB makes, if the receivers can't catch the ball." Said Patterson.

Florida Atlantic receivers combined for 8 total drops, 5 of those coming from the team's star receiver [url=http://ncaa.avidmanager.com/FloridaAtlantic-6882/WilliamDukes-309330/player_seasons/387154]William Dukes[/url].

Florida Atlantic's only points came in the second quarter when Stephen Curtis hit halfback [url=http://ncaa.avidmanager.com/FloridaAtlantic-6882/DamianFortner-309339/player_seasons/387163]Damian Fortner[/url] for a 11 yard touchdown. They would go for two, but would fail conversion.

Florida Atlantic will head for a much needed home game against Middle Tennessee State next week. While South Florida will have a bye week.