Brad

From the USF SID Office News Release USF adds McHugh Mattis to basketball recruiting class TAMPA, Fla. (Tuesday, Nov. 16) - McHugh Mattis, one of the top junior college players in Florida, has signed a national letter-of-intent to play basketball at the University of South Florida. “McHugh may well be the most athletic player on our team during the 2005-06 season,” said USF coach Robert McCullum.  “He is very versatile in that he is comfortable anywhere in the backcourt playing either of the three positions.” Mattis, a 6-6, 185-pound guard/forward, is a sophomore at St. Petersburg College.  “We like his size,” said McCullum.  “He is somewhere between 6-5 and 6-6, he is long and athletic and he is a very explosive player who puts the ball on the floor well.  He averaged 13 points and five rebounds as a freshman in addition to leading the state with 101 blocked shots.  Mattis was named second-team All-Suncoast Conference.  A native of North Lauderdale, Fla., Mattis was an honorable mention Class 6A selection at Coconut Creek High School. McCullum feels like Mattis will be a key to USF’s success when it begins competing in the Big East Conference in 2005-06. “As we prepare for Big East play we feel we need to recruit bigger backcourt players, bigger wing players,” said McCullum.  “He certainly fits the mold of a longer, athletic wing player that will enable us to be able to compete with that caliber of player that most of the BIg East teams currently have.  He will bring the experience of having played two years of college basketball into our program and as he gets stronger he will have an outstanding career at USF and in the Big East because of his athleticism and his versatility.” Mattis joins a fall signing class that includes Zaronn Cann, a forward from Brandon High School in Brandon, Fla., and Chris Howard, a guard who played last season at Friendly High School in Fort Washington, Md. - 11 - 16 - 04 -

From the USF SID Office: USF Student-Athletes to Participate in the Great American Teach-In (November 16, 2004) As many as 60 USF student-athletes will participate in the Great American Teach In Wednesday, November 17 by visiting Tampa schools. Student-athletes from women’s cross country and track, women’s volleyball, women’s golf, women’s softball, women’s soccer, men’s baseball, football, men’s golf and men’s cross country and track will participate. Many of the 60 will speak at Pizzo Elementary on the USF campus between 8:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m., but visits will take place at several other schools as well.

Actually, E.T., you qualify for the Bulls clock, $24.95 retail value. Your voluntary financial support of the site finally pays back!!! Please provide an address tome via email. Thanks, Brad.

[move]Don't miss the opportunity to win a Bulls wall clock (see below).[/move] SouthFloridaBulls.com's TheBullsPen.com Prediction Contest Game   9  Bulls vs. Cincinnati Fans Prediction Contest Congratulations to E.T., on his Week 8 win! Winners have been posted below for the preceding weeks. If you have not contacted Bulliever and selected a prize, please do so.  Thanks. This Week:  The Bulls Take on C-USA's Cincinnati Bearcats The Contest:  Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to select the winner for the season's first USF football game - as well as make some tie-breaking prognostications.  Prizes await, as does the respect and admiration of Bulls fans across the country. First...the rules: 1)  You must be a registered member of this message board. 2)  You must completely answer the contest questions. 3)  There can be no modifications to your post. 4)  Your prediction must be part of this original thread 5)  Post must be submitted by Midnight (eastern) prior to game. For additional contest rules, please read the small print below. And now, the contest: For the Bulls game against Cincinnati Saturday, November 20, please select the following: 1)  The winner 2)  The final score 3)  Bulls total offensive yards 4)  Bulls leading receiver Please try to keep in the above format so that it will be easier to manage.  Sample response would be: 1)  South Florida 2)  80-3 3)  550 4)  Green After posting the responses like above, please feel free make your case for your picks, or predict other aspects of the game.  It will make the thread much more entertaining if everyone gives their reasons for their picks, and make predictions on other aspects like special teams, rushing, or which QB will get the most PT. The winner will be decided with the first and second prediction items.  I am looking for the person that comes closest to the actual score, not simply the margin of victory.  If more than one person is correct, or equally close, we'll go to item three.  Closest wins.  If still tied, we go to item four - if still tied, all winners get a gift. Gifts available for this game: The winner(s) may select from the following prizes: 1. A Bulls Iconic U window cling.  Approximately 3.5"x4". 2. A Marquel Blackwell NFL Trading Card 3.  A Bill Gramatica NFL Trading Card 4.  An Anthony Henry NFL Trading Card 5.  South Florida Bulls Golf Towel with previous logo, brand new New Bonus Offer:  If you established a monthly subscription site donation prior to September 11, you are eligible to select prize #6.  If you have not established a monthly subscription, but instead make a $3 donation anytime up until kickoff, you too will be eligible for prize #6 for the USF-Cincy Prediction Contest. 6.  A SunTime 12 inch wall clock.  Dual logos and Quartz-accurate movement with logo and team color-coordinated mineral glass crystal and ring.  Retails for $24.95 The whole thing is just for fun, so please participate, enjoy the contest and have fun! Need Help? The Sagarin, Dunkel, Harmon and SFB.com projections are posted Here. 2004 Contest Winners: Fans Prediction Contest Winners Game  1   bull_roarer Game  2   lotsofbull99 Game  3   USFPhil/JimUSFSig Game  4   lotsofbull99 Game  5   usfbob83 Game  6   lotsofbull99 Game  7   USFPhil Game  8   E.T. Game  9   Game 10   Game 11   2003 Contest Winners: Fans Prediction Contest Winners Game  1   BullBuster Game  2   Omniscient Bull Game  3   79 Bull Game  4   chrisdashley Game  5   lotsofbull99 Game  6   Bulldog Game  7   lotsofbull99 Game  8   FLIPSTYLE Game  9   BullBuster Game 10   BullBuster Game 11   ??  (Anyone remember?) 2002 Contest Winners: Fans Prediction Contest Winners Game  1   BullShizNitz Game  2   BeachBull Game  3   OmniscientBull Game  4   InvisiBull Game  5   Bullsmania Game  6   Bullsayer Game  7   MikeG Game  8   JJBullKnight Game  9   EXBULL21 Game 10   MikeG Game 11   MRebe@USF As with previous years' contests, Bulliever is the final judge on all entries.  He will select the winner based on pre-established criteria.  All decisions are final, unless Bulliever changes his mind.  Finally, Bulliever will only refer to himself in the third person when typing in small print. ÂÂ

E.T. is definitely the man, notching his first ever win! Congrats E.T.!!! Let me know what you would like. Thanks, Brad

Hey Velcro, thanks for undertaking this in my absence. I'll add a little formatting below and we'll be set.

9 a.m. game in Arizona....Fine with me, I don't care about the time that I have to turn on the tube, I just hope our guys are ready to get on the field that early. It's a major change-up to pregame routine.

Spurrier to USF, Leavitt out? ::sick::

Home game on Sunshine...against ECU. That could spell low attendance. Plus, as much as I hate to mention it, I believe many have given up on the Bulls this year. Hell, a convincing win and no one even cares to talk about it.

Join us for the chat... http://www.southfloridabulls.com/Community/BullChat!%20Chat%20Room.htm

USF Teams with Metropolitan Ministries, WTBN Radio for Thanksgiving Food Drive (November 12, 2004) When USF plays East Carolina at Raymond James Stadium November 13, fans attending the 7 p.m. game can support the Tampa Bay community through a Metropolitan Ministries Thanksgiving food drive. WTBN Radio, USF’s flagship station, also supports the effort. Fans who bring a canned good to the game will receive a voucher for a $2 discount on a ticket for the USF-East Carolina game that night. Metropolitan Ministries will collect cans and distribute vouchers on the South Plaza of Raymond James Stadium (near the Box Office) and at the student entry at Gate B. Students who contribute cans on behalf of their respective organizations will receive bonus points in the annual Pass for Pass competition. “We’re pleased to be able to provide an opportunity to help meet the needs of our community,” says USF director of athletics Doug Woolard. “USF is a proud member of the Tampa Bay community and opportunities like the Metropolitan Ministries food drive make everyone in our community a winner.”

Furthermore.... This just in from the USF SID Office: USF’s Justin Geisler Named to District III Academic All-America Team (November 11, 2004) Justin Geisler, a senior kicker on the USF football team, has been named to the 2004 CoSIDA Academic All-America District III team and now goes on the national team ballot. Geisler, who will graduate December 11, has a 3.99 grade point average at USF. A graduate of Land O’Lakes (Fla.) High School, Geisler handles all kickoff duties for the Bulls and has helped limit opponents to a 20.1 kick return average in 2004. In addition to the Academic All-America honor, Geisler has been named USF’s Most Outstanding Senior and will receive that recognition at his Commencement Ceremony. ÂÂ

It is...

Was Velcrogrip sober when he made that statement? ÂÂ

Keys to the Game South Florida holds a 2-0 series advantage over the Pirates and ECU will need to play inspired football for sixty minutes in order to win its first road game of the season. The Pirates defense has forced six turnovers in the last two games and should have plenty of opportunities for interceptions against shaky USF quarterback Pat Julmiste. ECU is the 11th least penalized team in the country, but had an uncharacteristic outing last week against Houston. The Pirates were whistled for 10 penalties for 96 yards, including a long touchdown run by Chris Johnson that was nullified. ECU's discipline should be back on track on Saturday. The Pirates took another huge hit when leading receiver Bobby Good was lost for the season with a leg injury against the Cougars. ECU has been forced to empty the bench after Demarcus Fox, Edwin Rios and Iverick Harris were all either suspended or quit earlier in the season. Stepping in to start will be Brian Howard and Kevin Roach. Howard had a solid outing last week and Roach, more of a possession receiver, won't hesitate to go over the middle in traffic. Will Bland, who caught a touchdown pass against Houston, will also see plenty of action. Freshman punt returner and cornerback Travis Williams could make his debut on offense. The Pirates are 14th in the country in punt returns and Williams' speed will be a welcoming addition to the receiving corps. REST OF STORY Shaky?  Where would they get that?

Congrats USFPhil...please email me with your selection. Thanks, Bulliever

[move]Don't miss the opportunity to win a Bulls wall clock (see below).[/move] SouthFloridaBulls.com's TheBullsPen.com Prediction Contest Game   8  Bulls vs. ECU Fans Prediction Contest Congratulations to USFPhil, on his Week 7 win! Winners have been posted below for the preceding weeks. If you have not contacted Bulliever and selected a prize, please do so.  Thanks. This Week:  The Bulls Take on C-USA's ECU Pirates The Contest:  Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to select the winner for the season's first USF football game - as well as make some tie-breaking prognostications.  Prizes await, as does the respect and admiration of Bulls fans across the country. First...the rules: 1)  You must be a registered member of this message board. 2)  You must completely answer the contest questions. 3)  There can be no modifications to your post. 4)  Your prediction must be part of this original thread 5)  Post must be submitted by Midnight (eastern) prior to game. For additional contest rules, please read the small print below. And now, the contest: For the Bulls game against ECU Saturday, November 13, please select the following: 1)  The winner 2)  The final score 3)  Bulls total offensive yards 4)  Bulls leading receiver Please try to keep in the above format so that it will be easier to manage.  Sample response would be: 1)  South Florida 2)  80-3 3)  550 4)  Green After posting the responses like above, please feel free make your case for your picks, or predict other aspects of the game.  It will make the thread much more entertaining if everyone gives their reasons for their picks, and make predictions on other aspects like special teams, rushing, or which QB will get the most PT. The winner will be decided with the first and second prediction items.  I am looking for the person that comes closest to the actual score, not simply the margin of victory.  If more than one person is correct, or equally close, we'll go to item three.  Closest wins.  If still tied, we go to item four - if still tied, all winners get a gift. Gifts available for this game: The winner(s) may select from the following prizes: 1. A Bulls Iconic U window cling.  Approximately 3.5"x4". 2. A Marquel Blackwell NFL Trading Card 3.  A Bill Gramatica NFL Trading Card 4.  An Anthony Henry NFL Trading Card 5.  South Florida Bulls Golf Towel with previous logo, brand new New Bonus Offer:  If you established a monthly subscription site donation prior to September 11, you are eligible to select prize #6.  If you have not established a monthly subscription, but instead make a $3 donation anytime up until kickoff, you too will be eligible for prize #6 for the USF-ECU Prediction Contest. 6.  A SunTime 12 inch wall clock.  Dual logos and Quartz-accurate movement with logo and team color-coordinated mineral glass crystal and ring.  Retails for $24.95 The whole thing is just for fun, so please participate, enjoy the contest and have fun! Need Help? The Sagarin, Dunkel, Harmon and SFB.com projections are posted Here. 2004 Contest Winners: Fans Prediction Contest Winners Game  1   bull_roarer Game  2   lotsofbull99 Game  3   USFPhil/JimUSFSig Game  4   lotsofbull99 Game  5   usfbob83 Game  6   lotsofbull99 Game  7   USFPhil Game  8   Game  9   Game 10   Game 11   2003 Contest Winners: Fans Prediction Contest Winners Game  1   BullBuster Game  2   Omniscient Bull Game  3   79 Bull Game  4   chrisdashley Game  5   lotsofbull99 Game  6   Bulldog Game  7   lotsofbull99 Game  8   FLIPSTYLE Game  9   BullBuster Game 10   BullBuster Game 11   ??  (Anyone remember?) 2002 Contest Winners: Fans Prediction Contest Winners Game  1   BullShizNitz Game  2   BeachBull Game  3   OmniscientBull Game  4   InvisiBull Game  5   Bullsmania Game  6   Bullsayer Game  7   MikeG Game  8   JJBullKnight Game  9   EXBULL21 Game 10   MikeG Game 11   MRebe@USF As with previous years' contests, Bulliever is the final judge on all entries.  He will select the winner based on pre-established criteria.  All decisions are final, unless Bulliever changes his mind.  Finally, Bulliever will only refer to himself in the third person when typing in small print. ÂÂ

Think of the captions for that mug shot...

He looks more and more like Martin everyday. I read about his tryout out here in the AZ paper ( he is a former Card as you know)...glad to hear he made it - bad news is it may not be for long...but another shot at the NFL is better than sitting on the couch eating Doritos.

From the USF SID Office Justin Geisler Named "Outstanding Senior" at USF  TAMPA, FL (November 5, 2004) -Justin Geisler, a kicker on the football team and a Kosove Scholar, has been named “Outstanding Senior” at the University of South Florida for the December 2004 Commencement. The USF Alumni Association presents the award each semester. "We are thrilled to be able to recognize a student of this academic and athletic caliber with a university-wide honor," says USF Alumni Association President Lisa Lewis. Geisler will be honored onstage at the USF commencement ceremony on December 11th for his high academic achievement and demonstrated commitment to the University of South Florida. Geisler is a Management and Economics major in the College of Business with a 3.99 overall grade point average, in addition to being a Kosove Scholar, USF Honors College student, active community volunteer and a Sun Dome summer employee. Also a distinguished student-athlete, Geisler has served as a walk-on place kicker and starting kick-off specialist for the USF football team since 2000. He was twice awarded the USF Scholar-Athlete Award for his distinguished commitment to both academic and athletic performance. He is presently a candidate for Academic All-America honors. "I want to look back at my college career and know that I gave my best, have no regrets, and remember it as one of the best periods of my life,” says Geisler. The USF Alumni Association, a membership-based organization with non-profit status, was founded to foster a lifelong relationship between alumni and the University, to provide information, services and activities that inspire pride and loyalty among alumni, and to advocate for excellence in higher education and public service. There are more than 187,000 USF alumni worldwide.

Blazers can still rebound, if they don't unravel Friday, November 05, 2004 TORAINE NORRIS News staff writer He showed a look of utter disgust on his face. UAB junior quarterback Darrell Hackney slumped in a chair in the hall outside the Legion Field interview room and just shook his head following Wednesday's 45-20 loss to the University of South Florida Bulls. Moments later, he openly criticized head coach Watson Brown's postgame comments and expressed some anger about what he deemed as the coach's jab at his decision in the fourth quarter to change a play that led to a USF interception return for a touchdown. Hackney later recanted the statements, but some other players were equally forthcoming in saying there is mounting frustration in the UAB locker room and some finger-pointing. "We have to come together as a team," said sophomore running back Corey White, whose three-touchdown effort was nullified by the Blazers' second-straight loss. "They went up 24-20 and we started losing faith on the sidelines." As Hackney so succinctly pointed out, the Blazers are losing their cool. The defensive problems are well-documented. The unit continues to stumble along, having surrendered more than 1,000 yards combined in consecutive weeks to two offenses that occupied the cellar in C-USA before they met the Blazers on the field. Defensive coordinator Wayne Bolt has yet to find an answer and many fans are questioning whether he can. It should be noted that not all the defensive issues started with the departure of defensive line coach Pat Donohoe. UAB surrendered 489 yards to Florida State, 539 yards to Memphis and 403 to Cincinnati with Donohoe on the sideline. UAB has held only two opponents, Baylor and Mississippi State, under 300 yards of offense this season. This from a defense that returned 10 starters and plenty of experienced backups. The offense, for the first time this season, played give-away with the football Wednesday night. Roddy White's late third-quarter fumble and Hackney's interception led directly to 14 USF points. The momentum clearly shifted after White's fumble with UAB leading 20-17. Brown had no answers. He took the blame for the loss and UAB's poor play despite 10 days of preparation following the 59-55 loss to Tulane. "Hopefully, we can turn this thing around and that's my job," said Brown. "It was obvious that we didn't turn it around tonight from what happened last week. We've got to play better football, because we were not the same team that played here two weeks ago against TCU. "We've got to figure out why and what's going on. That's my job." UAB still has a lot to play for. At 5-3 the Blazers are very much within reach of the school's first-ever bowl bid. However, the defense must play better, preferably by forcing turnovers and getting itself off the field. The offense must avoid turnovers and take advantage of red-zone opportunities. A play or two from the special teams would greatly help the Blazers' chances. Of course, the team has to avoid the blame game. Hackney didn't sound as if he had lost all hope. "I still think we have unity," he said. "When we got down, the defense came over and told us to keep our heads up and keep fighting. No one is blaming anyone, we just have to play together." Story Link Coach held us together through a three game losing streak and now momentum has shifted back to positive.  UAB could implode. Not taking any solace in that, but at least we weren't reading about internal strife (with the exception of this board) amidst a three game losing streak.

Royals got a sack not an INT for TD...that was Gipson

Therein lies the secret.... ;D

Pull the TV up to the PC and join your fellow bulls in the chat room by following this link!  Game time is 7:30 p.m. eastern  - get there early. Go Bulls! Bull Chat!

USF facing powerful passing duo "I think we're (No.) 1 in the nation. Nobody's doing what we're doing," WR Roddy White said of he and UAB quarterback Darrell Hackney. By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer Published November 3, 2004 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - One of the few things South Florida's injury-riddled defense has done with consistency this season is allow opposing players to enjoy career nights. First, it was South Carolina receiver Troy Williamson, who beat the Bulls for three long touchdown receptions and finished with 210 yards. When USF beat Texas Christian in double overtime, the win came despite a season-high four touchdowns from the Frogs' Lonta Hobbs. Army's Carlton Jones rushed for 225 yards and five scores, and Louisville's Stefan LeFors completed 13 consecutive passes to open the Cardinals' win against the Bulls. Tonight, if the Bulls want to avoid their first four-game losing streak, their defense will have to find a way to keep Alabama-Birmingham receiver Roddy White from taking the spotlight in a game televised on ESPN2. "He's a tremendous talent, great speed, good skills. He's the real deal," coach Jim Leavitt said. "I don't think anybody's ever going to stop Roddy White. He's too good. We're certainly aware of his abilities." White, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior, comes into tonight's game as college football's leading receiver at 126.6 yards per game. The Bulls knew about White before this season. He caught a 56-yard touchdown in UAB's 22-19 win in Tampa last year. When the Bulls rallied for two late touchdowns to erase a 16-point, fourth-quarter deficit, it was White who caught passes of 26 and 13 yards to set up the winning field goal for UAB with nine seconds left. "We couldn't cover (White) worth a lick," Leavitt said after that game. "He owned us." The same could be said for Tulane last week, which beat the Blazers 59-55 despite White catching 10 passes for 253 yards, the second-highest total in college football this season. He has been a major part of why UAB is 5-2 and likely headed for the first bowl in the program's 14-year history. "There's really nothing Roddy can't do," Blazers coach Watson Brown said this week. "He's gotten better every year he's been here. He can catch the quick passes, can be a good possession receiver, and you certainly can go deep to him." Memphis coach Tommy West saw White catch three touchdown passes in UAB's 35-28 win against the Tigers in their Conference USA opener. West compared White to Redskins receiver Rod Gardner, who played for him at Clemson. "He looks like Rod, but he's faster," West said. "He's an outstanding player. He caught us pretty good, but he's caught about everybody this season." So how do the Bulls (2-4, 1-3 in C-USA) contain White, who has scored touchdowns in five straight games? Teams have put two defensive back on him. But the Blazers' next three receivers have combined for seven touchdowns. "Roddy White isn't the only receiver they've got," Leavitt said. "They've got a lot of weapons. They went over 700 yards on Tulane." For what it's worth, UAB (5-2, 4-1) had just 649 yards against Tulane, but Leavitt has portrayed his defense as an underdog. Blazers quarterback Darrell Hackney, the fifth-most efficient passer in Division I, has 18 touchdowns with four interceptions this season. He'll go against a Bulls unit that needs to be aggressive and opportunistic. USF has intercepted one pass in six games and none in the last five, and the Bulls' eight sacks rank 10th out of 12 C-USA teams. The Bulls, who have rotated as many as nine defensive backs, are turning to youth on defense and could have as many as five freshmen in the starting lineup, including two in the defensive secondary. Stopping the passing game is crucial, but hardly the only priority for the Bulls. "It's one of many areas," Leavitt said. "Army ran the ball on us, so what do you do? Louisville did both. They threw the deep ball and they ran the ball. We've got to shore up our defense, that's for sure. If we don't play real good defense, we'll never have it." The Bulls can find inspiration in last year's game, where USF's J.R. Reed intercepted a pass intended for White in the final two minutes. Or in the fact that Tulane, the only school below USF in the conference standings, scored 59 points in beating the UAB 11 days ago. Either way, without a stronger defensive showing, the Bulls could have a fourth loss in a row and another step back in the program's history. "Most people had us picked as underdogs in most all these games, except for Army," Leavitt said. "We knew we were fairly young, but our young guys have got to get older. . . . I always know there's a promised land, but I know there's a minefield. We always worry about stepping on those mines while we get there. We hadn't stepped on many, but we are a little bit right now. But we'll get there." Story link