South Florida's Willie Taggart to buy Bowl tickets for 500 students

USA TODAY Sports

Willie Taggart says he appreciates all the fan support at home games this season — South Florida was 5-1 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

And so the Bulls' head coach has decided to put his money where his mouth is.

Taggart will cover ticket costs for 500 South Florida students for the Bulls' first bowl game in five seasons, Dec. 21 against Western Kentucky in the Miami Beach Bowl in Marlins Park.

The first 500 USF students to purchase a bowl game ticket, including those already purchased, will have the $20 cost of that ticket reimbursed after attending the game.

“I just want to say thank you to all the USF students that made Ray Jay rock this season and I can’t wait to see them all in Miami and turn Marlins Park into Ray Jay South,” Taggart said. “The students are a huge part of our success and we want them to come down and get No. 9 with us.

"We went 5-1 at home this year with the students bringing their energy to Ray Jay and we can’t wait to see them in Miami. Let's make this the funnest, loudest, most passionate bowl game crowd in USF history.”

Taggart's compensation this season is $1,152,500. Still, 500 tickets at $20 a pop, amounts to $10,000.

The Bulls will be seeking a program record-tying ninth win on the season.