News Ticker: South Florida 10/25

[Empire Lindy]

Place holder for articles pertaining to the USF Bulls.

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[Empire Lindy]

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/oct...olleges-bulls/

Selvie Should Have Sat
TAMPA - University of South Florida football coach Jim Leavitt said he probably should have kept DE George Selvie (ankle) and NT Terrell McClain (ankle) from playing in last week's 26-21 loss against Pitt.

"Selvie shouldn't have played last game," Leavitt said. "He did play some, and when he was in there he did some good things, but he's playing on one leg, and we can't win with a guy playing on one leg. You have to play guys that are healthy.

"McClain is not 100 percent, either. He shouldn't have played last game. He didn't play very well, and I have to believe it's because he's not very healthy in his ankle."

Selvie, McClain and NT Sampson Genus (ankle) "didn't do much" at Tuesday's practice, Leavitt said, but SS Carlton Williams (shoulder, hip) did practice.

RT Marc Dile injured his ankle during practice, but the severity wasn't immediately known.

BABY STEPS: LB Brouce Mompremier, who suffered a neck injury Sept. 20 at Florida International, took his first step in resuming his playing career when he was cleared by doctors to return to full weightlifting and conditioning exercises.

Mompremier, while still not in pads, ran conditioning drills with his teammates during the first 30 minutes of Tuesday's practice. Mompremier has been cleared of any long-term severe spinal damage and is at no greater risk for traumatic spinal injury if he resumes playing.

HEADING TO TAMPA: Florida High OL John McGhin said he plans to sign with the Bulls on National Signing Day. He becomes the fourth player to commit to USF for the Class of 2009, joining Marianna TB Bradley Battles, North Florida Christian LB Chase Griffiths and Tallahassee Leon WR James Green.

[Empire Lindy]

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/oct...olleges-bulls/

National Media Not Impressed

By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 8, 2008

TAMPA - What have U(SF) done for me lately? According to the national media, not much.

The Bulls' 26-21 loss to Pittsburgh on Thursday knocked USF from No. 10 to No. 19 in this week's Associated Press rankings.

The fact USF dropped wasn't surprising. The fact USF received virtually no respect from the national writers/broadcasters who vote in the AP poll was.

Of the 65 voters, including myself, five represent national outlets: ESPN's Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit, ESPN/ABC's Craig James, SI.com's Stewart Mandel and College Sports TV's Tom Hart.

Of those five, only Hart had the Bulls, who ranked No. 19, in his Top 25 - and that was at No. 24. Fowler (who ranked USF No. 14 last week), James (No. 11 last week), Mandel (No. 8 last week) and Herbstreit (No. 9 last week) all left USF out of this week's Top 25.

Fowler and James, who were part of ESPN's announcing crew for the Pitt loss, must not have been impressed with what they saw from the Bulls. Mandel explained his reasoning for dropping USF from his Top 25 ballot.

"The Bulls lost at home to Pittsburgh last week," Mandel wrote on his blog. "The Panthers are not remotely a top-25 team, having lost to Bowling Green and struggled to beat Buffalo, Iowa and Syracuse.

"Meanwhile, Kansas, whom the Bulls previously beat, barely survived a dogfight against mediocre Iowa State. Sadly, it marked the Jayhawks' best win to date."

GETTING THEIR KICKS: The men's soccer team (6-2-2, 4-1-1 Big East) host Louisville on Friday. The Bulls are ranked No. 10 nationally by Soccer America and No. 11 in the NSCAA poll. The women's soccer team (6-3-3, 2-2-1) visits Syracuse on Friday.

ODDS AND ENDS: The men's and women's basketball teams will not hold Midnight Madness activities on Oct. 17 to signify the start of practice. ... Former USF associate AD Rick Costello, who left USF in June 2007 to become AD at Delaware State, accepted a position Oct. 1 at Rutgers as a deputy AD in charge of finances.

[Empire Lindy]

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/oct...olleges-bulls/

USF's Wilson Moving To Receiver
TAMPA - It's still unknown when University of South Florida junior Theo Wilson will return from a knee injury suffered Sept. 27 at N.C. State, but when he does he'll be playing a new position.

Wilson has been moved from cornerback to wide receiver.

"We want to see if we can get the ball in his hands," USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "He's not in the rotation at DB. We have four corners that are and next year we have two more. Theo's an outstanding football player."

In five games, Wilson had only two tackles. He returned four punts for an 18.5 average. Leavitt said there "might be a chance" for Wilson to return for Syracuse on Oct. 18, but said it's "a pretty remote possibility."

Starting RG Zach Hermann, who's missed USF's last four games with a broken foot, remains out for Syracuse, Leavitt said. Starting RT Marc Dile, who injured his right ankle in Tuesday's practice, didn't practice Wednesday, but will be fine, Leavitt said.

The Bulls also received a scare during Wednesday's practice when WR Jessie Hester Jr. was momentarily knocked unconscious while making a catch when his helmet hit the ground. He was taken off the field on a cart, but was fine afterward.

Leavitt said there is no timetable for when senior LB Brouce Mompremier, who injured his neck at Florida International on Sept. 20, will begin practicing in pads.

"He's just kind of running around," Leavitt said. "We haven't even talked about putting on pads. We're not going to that step right now."

Brett McMurphy

[Empire Lindy]

http://blogs.tampabay.com/usf/2008/1...e-thursda.html

Pitt-fall: Bulls lose 26-21 to unranked Panthers
TAMPA – Maybe USF just wasn’t meant to play football on Thursday nights.

For the second year in a row, the Bulls went into a primetime ESPN Thursday game with an undefeated record and big hopes, only to fall to the same weeknight weakness. This time, the No. 10 Bulls overcame poor play to take a lead with six minutes to play, only give up a quick touchdown and lose 26-21 to an unranked Pittsburgh team.

"We made a lot of mistakes," said USF coach Jim Leavitt, whose team was held to 245 yards of offense – its lowest in nearly two years -- and committed 11 penalties. "We were fortunate to be in the game that close to be quite honest, with all the mistakes we made in this game."

For all their struggles, the Bulls (5-1, 0-1) drove 86 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to take the lead 21-20 with 5:57 to play. Needing a defensive stop to preserve the win, USF instead watched Pittsburgh (4-1, 2-0) need only three plays for the go-ahead touchdown.

"I told the defense when we went out there: This is what we get paid for," said linebacker Tyrone McKenzie, who had a game-high 15 tackles. "This is why we’re a defense, let’s go out and finish this thing. …You don’t work so hard to go out there and just (pee) down your leg. We can’t do that."

The Bulls saw Pitt running back LeSean McCoy rush for 142 yards and two touchdowns, including a 3-yard scoring run with 4:43 left. USF got the ball back twice for a chance to rally, but couldn’t muster a first down the first time, then saw a last-second Hail Mary from midfield fall incomplete as time expired.

USF’s hopes of an undefeated season are now over, and the Bulls will need to regroup to stay in the hunt for a Big East title.

"One of the poorest exhibitions of tackling and coverage I’ve seen in a long time," defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said. "We have a long way to go and a lot of work to do if we’re going to get this thing back on track, which I think we will. We’ve got good kids that want to win. We just have to work harder evidently."

USF’s offense, which piled up 353 yards and 31 points in the first half at N.C. State last week, never got going, held to its lowest total yardage since an October 2006 loss at Cincinnati. Twice in the third quarter, after a botched fake punt and a forced fumble, USF took over in Pittsburgh territory and went three-and-out both times.

"We never clicked. We didn’t play well all night," offensive coordinator Greg Gregory said. "We never got in a rhythm, for a number of reasons."

The Bulls hurt themselves with penalties – eight in the first half, where they trailed 17-7 -- and then there was a blocked field goal, a miss on a fake field goal, and giving up a 52-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.

"They came out a little more prepared than us, I think," said Grothe, who was limited to 129 yards passing and 25 rushing. "They looked completely different than what they looked on film. ... It's hard to go undefeated in college football. It's just one game."

Down 20-14 in the fourth quarter, USF found its offense, with running back Mike Ford rushing seven times for 53 yards on one drive. Grothe rolled out to his left, stopped and found receiver Jessie Hester wide-open for a 22-yard touchdown and a 21-20 lead.

As was the case in close wins against Central Florida and Florida International, it appeared the Bulls might absolve themselves for disappointing play by escaping with a narrow win.

But the ensuing kickoff went out of bounds, setting up Pitt on its 40-yard line. Stull found receiver Oderick Turner for a 38-yard gain, then McCoy rushed for 19 yards to the 3, setting up his touchdown that silenced a Raymond James Stadium crowd of 50,307.

Last season, the Bulls were 6-0 and ranked No. 2 until they lost 30-27 to an unranked Rutgers team, setting off a three-game losing streak that dropped them out of the polls. USF now has its first bye week of the season, with 16 days before they return to play Oct. 16 at home against Syracuse.

"Nobody's gone through the Big East undefeated (since West Virginia in 2005)," Leavitt said. "We've got to find a way to put it behind us, move forward and get ready to play, use the bye week wisely."

[Empire Lindy]

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/colle...icle837673.ece

USF loss will be harder to shake with bye week
By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
In print: Saturday, October 4, 2008

TAMPA — As much as USF needs its upcoming bye week to heal lingering injuries, it also means the No. 10 Bulls have to go two weeks without a chance to truly put a 26-21 loss to unranked Pittsburgh behind them.

"Unfortunately we have a bye week, so it's going to be on our minds a little longer, but we're looking forward to coming back, practicing hard and going back at it," said linebacker Kion Wilson, who recovered two fumbles in Thursday's home loss.

A year ago, when the Bulls took their first loss on a Thursday night at Rutgers, the disappointment snowballed into a three-game losing streak that cost them a shot at a Big East title. That experience might help the Bulls avoid a repeat performance when they return Oct. 18 at home against Syracuse.

"Remembering what happened last year is definitely the key," senior safety Carlton Williams said.

"The Big East race … there's no telling what could happen, so from here on out, we have to play South Florida ball. (Thursday,) we didn't play the way we normally play."

The Bulls (5-1, 0-1 Big East) have struggled in three of their five games against I-A opponents, barely beating Central Florida and Florida International and losing to Pittsburgh. The offense has yet to establish an identity despite returning nearly intact from last season, and the defense has struggled with tackling and blown coverages, especially in the fourth quarter.

"You have to forget it, have to move on," defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said of the loss. "It's like when you win one, you don't get to celebrate very long, so we can't beat ourselves up too long. We go back to work and work on fundamentals for a week, then get ready for the next game."

By the time Syracuse comes to town, the Bulls could have defensive end George Selvie and tackle Terrell McClain healthy — they've played only sparingly in the past two games — as well as linebacker Brouce Mompremier, who has missed two games recovering from a traumatic neck injury.

Coach Jim Leavitt said his team has to keep perspective and remember that it still controls much of its Big East destiny.

"I'm not going to go to the grave right now," Leavitt said. "We're 5-1, we didn't play real well (Thursday) and we've got to figure out a way to play better. That's what it is."

[Empire Lindy]

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/colle...icle837056.ece

USF's Grothe finally throws an interception
By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
In print: Friday, October 3, 2008

TAMPA — Matt Grothe's career-best streak of 110 passes without an interception ended in the first quarter when Pittsburgh's Dom DiCicco picked one off intended for WR Carlton Mitchell.

Grothe hadn't thrown an interception since late in USF's second game, at Central Florida on Sept. 6. His streak matched the fourth-longest in Bulls history and the longest since 2001, when Marquel Blackwell went a school-record 235 passes without one.

Grothe threw 14 interceptions in each of his first two seasons but has been much more careful as a junior. His interception Thursday was his only one of the game and his third in six games this season.

BOWLED OVER: USF used the Thursday night platform to host representatives from 11 bowls, including all the BCS ones and those affiliated with the Big East.

"It's fantastic," said Jack Seiler, chairman of the Orange Bowl bowl committee, before kickoff. "There's such an excitement around this program. They've arrived.

"You can say they're on the rise. But on the national scene, they've arrived."

USF athletic director Doug Woolard hosted the representatives at a reception Wednesday night, including a function at the Florida Aquarium in which a USF graduate was underwater in the aquarium's main tank answering questions from bowl officials.

The bowls in attendance included the St. Petersburg Bowl, which plays its first game Dec. 20 at Tropicana Field.

"I've been looking forward to meeting everyone," executive director Brett Dulaney said. "To lend an ear to people from bowls like the Orange Bowl and Rose Bowl and share ideas has really helped us a lot."

BACK … A LITTLE: DE George Selvie, who missed Saturday's game against N.C. State with an ankle injury, saw limited action, making one tackle on his first series in the second quarter.

DT Terrell McClain, who also missed the N.C. State game, returned and forced a fumble by LeSean McCoy in the second quarter.

Selvie got a tackle for loss in the third quarter when a direct snap to McCoy sailed over his head. McCoy recovered the loose ball but was tackled by Selvie for an 18-yard loss.

THIS AND THAT: Junior Chris Robinson made his first career start at strongside linebacker as USF opened in a standard 4-3 defense. … Sophomores Craig Marshall and Sampson Genus started on the defensive line for the second game in a row in place of Selvie and McClain. … After totaling five sacks in their first five games, the Bulls sacked Bill Stull twice in the first five plays. … The announced attendance of 50,307 is the sixth-largest crowd in USF history.

Greg Auman can be reached at auman@sptimes.com and at (813) 226-3346. Check out his blog at blogs.tampabay.com/usf.

[Empire Lindy]

http://www.examiner.com/x-873-South-...ls-good-or-bad

USF at midseason: Are the Bulls good or bad?

The USF bye week came at the right time. The Bulls need to take a hard look at themselves and figure out what direction they are going.

Are they good? Or, are they bad?

If you look at the Pitt performance, or lack thereof, the answer is obvious. This USF team is NOT very good.

It is certainly not as good as last year's team.

Defensively, it is painfully obvious that the Bulls cannot stop the run. Pitt sophomore tailback LeSean McCoy (142 yards, 2 TDs) proved that as he left his cleat marks all over the Bulls. He was smooth, elusive and the Bulls simply didn't tackle him very well.

On the same note, Pitt proved that USF cannot cover the passing game. Two names account for that fact -- Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams. That duo was a USF strength last year. Jenkins was a first-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys and is logging nice playing time for the 'Boys this year. Williams was drafted by Jacksonville but ended up on the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad. Both are sorely missed and have not been adequately replaced.

Let's see, two major weaknesses -- stopping the run and stopping the pass.

With those two minor issues up for correction in the bye week, the offense has its problems.

QB Matt Grothe is USF's leading rusher with 244 yards on 66 carries while Mike Ford has 225 yards on 55 carries.

Not good. Pitt's McCoy has 553 yards on 117 attempts in five games, one less than USF.

USF wide receivers have not distinguished themselves. They were not present against Pitt. Perhpas it was because Grothe had no time to find them.

Again, another USF weakness unmasked by the Pitt defense.

There is much work to be done over the next 10 days. The defense must find some way to regain its swagger. The offense needs spark. It needs a running game to set up the passing game.

The answer may come in the form of Syracuse. The Orange are in turmoil. This will be Greg Robinson's last call as head coach. Names are already being bantered around as possible replacements. Alumni headed by former Orange fullback Rob Konrad, are calling for Robinson's immediate replacement.

Fact is, Syracuse just isn't that good.

Fact is, the 'Cuse just might be the cure for what ails the Bulls.

Next: Running the table or running on empty?

[Empire Lindy]

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/oct...olleges-bulls/

Defense Turns Tables After Half
By GREGG BECNEL

Tribune correspondent

Published: October 19, 2008

TAMPA - After turning in a porous performance in the first half, the University of South Florida defense completely dominated Syracuse in the final 30 minutes, allowing USF to pull away for a comfortable 45-13 win at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday.

After being torched for 374 yards in its last outing - a 26-21 loss to Pitt - it looked as if the defense was in for another long day against the lowly Orange.

In the first half, USF gave up an average of 6.1 yards per play and went into the break with a precarious 21-13 lead. Syracuse ran 36 plays for 221 yards while holding the ball for 19:09.

"Syracuse moved the chains pretty well," Bulls coach Jim Leavitt said. "I didn't feel like our defense played real well in the first half. I thought they played hard, but not real smart."

But after USF made some adjustments at halftime, the New Orleans Saints might have had trouble moving the ball against the Bulls.

Consider these numbers: Syracuse ran 18 plays, gained a measly 9 yards, had zero first downs and had the ball for just 6:40.

"We went dormant on offense," Orange coach Greg Robinson said. "I wish I could tell you what specifically was the reason for that, but I don't know."

He will when he looks at the film.

"I thought defensive coordinator Wally Burnham and the defensive staff did a really good job," Leavitt said. "There were a number of adjustments we made at halftime."

While Burnham acknowledged the effectiveness of the adjustments, he deflected credit to his players.

"It's amazing when you go out there and play like we did in the first half, and then come in and do just a couple of little deals in the second half," Burnham said. "But it wasn't that, really. It was they played harder and accepted the challenge to play better."

USF received a boost with the return to the starting lineup of linebacker Brouce Mompremier, defensive end George Selvie and nose tackle Terrell McClain.

"Those guys make a big difference," Burnham said.

The second-half shutdown was crucial for a defense that was as leaky as a sieve the past six quarters.

"We needed it real bad as a defense," strong safety Carlton Williams said, "for confidence and momentum going into the other games."

[HarveyGlass]

"We went dormant on offense," Orange coach Greg Robinson said. "I wish I could tell you what specifically was the reason for that, but I don't know."

Helluva coach they've got over there. lmao