Papa_Bull

But he looked simply marvellous. ;D When he showed up at some All-Star game right before the combine he was voted as the guy with the best body or some such thing.

I didn't except when we beat them last year. I remember the one game at USF where Will McDonald DOMINATED them despite their obvious fouls on him and other USF players that weren't called. We ended up losing a very close game, but I honestly felt the refs gave it to them because they were CINCY and their coach was HUGGINS and we weren't SUPPOSED to beat their "great" team. I'm still puking!

Here is another article. I'm not sure which came first: Tuesday, August 23, 2005 UC to Huggins: Resign or be fired By Paul Daugherty, Bill Koch and Dee Amos Enquirer staff writers Bob Huggins, the winningest basketball coach in University of Cincinnati history, will be fired or forced to resign within the next 24 hours. Huggins has been asked to resign, effective immediately, a source close to the situation said Tuesday morning. Bearcats associate head coach Andy Kennedy will be asked to become interim head coach. The move comes two months after university president Nancy Zimpher declined to exercise the rollover option of Huggins’ contract. The ensuing divide between Zimpher and Huggins fueled speculation that Huggins’ 16-year run at UC might end abruptly. A source said a letter would be sent Tuesday to Huggins’ representative Richard Katz asking the coach to accept a $3 million buyout of the remaining two years of his contract. Huggins would have 24 hours to accept the deal. If he rejected it, the source said, Huggins would be “terminated without cause†and compensation would be reduced to $2 million. “I can confirm that we have been in discussions with the university concerning our request for the restoration of the four-year rollever, or an extension of the contract so that Bob can retire as the head coach as the head coach of the University of Cincinnati,†Katz said. Huggins is believed to be in Las Vegas, and was not immediately available for comment. The shocking end to the 51-year-old Huggins’ highly successful run comes barely two months before the Bearcats begin practice for their first season in the Big East Conference. It is certain to spark fan and donor protest and, possibly, backlash from recruits who have committed to UC, and current players loyal to Huggins. Armein Kirkland, a senior on the UC basketball team, said on campus today that he was shocked by the development. “I think it’s a really bad time to make a decision like this considering that we’ll be starting school in three weeks … I don’t think it’s fair to the guys who are going to be here for three or four years. This should have been handled a long time ago. If they’re going to give him an ultimatum, that should have been done three or four months ago.†Kirkland said Huggins had called his cell phone and left a message. He said he was going to talk to Huggins this afternoon and “see what’s going on.†Memphis coach John Calipari said, “I hate to see this.†“He’s been a good friend of mine, and he’s been a terrific coach. I talked to him two or three days ago, but we didn’t have a long conversation, so I don’t know exactly what’s going on.†Huggins’ UC record of 399-127 and his string of 14 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances (third longest in the nation) was not enough to overcome the poor national image the basketball program had acquired under his watch. Even as player graduation rates improved in recent years, and Huggins’ on-court demeanor became less tempestuous, Zimpher and UC’s Board of Trustees determined the program to be a liability to the school’s overall image. Zimpher announced on May 16 that the school would not extend Huggins’ contract, which contained a four-year rollover provision until Huggins pleaded no contest to drunken driving charges last summer. After Zimpher’s announcement, Huggins called a news conference to say that he intended to finish the final two years of his contract. “I plan on fulfilling my contract,†he said that day. “I love the players. I think I have an obligation to them, certainly to their families – and I think to the fans in the city of Cincinnati. “People have been unbelievable. They’ve supported me when I needed to be supported. They’ve always been there. I believe in fulfilling my obligations. I fully intend on doing that.†The standoff between Zimpher and Huggins set off a controversy that consumed Cincinnati sports fans for the past several months, with most fans on the sport talk shows taking Huggins’ side. The UC coach’s departure would leave a void at UC as it enters the Big East Conference, believed to be one of the most competitive in the country. Huggins was a lightning rod for controversy almost from the moment he arrived at UC and declared that he wanted the Bearecats to be like the old UCLA dynasty teams. He was outspoken and at times sparred with the media and his own administration. But he was also more accessible to the media than most coaches of his stature and was active in the community. Huggins demanded a lot from his players, but most of them spoke in glowing terms about their relationship with him, especially after they left the program. Huggins twice turned down chances to coach in the NBA – first with the Miami Heat and then with the Los Angeles Clippers – and rejected overtures from his alma mater, West Virginia, to become its head coach. Staff writer Kevin Kelly contribued to this report http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050823/SPT0101/307180007 Calipari must be licking his chops.  ;D

You are trying to use Andre Hall as an example for all JUCOs? He was #1 JUCO RB in the nation. But there were other JUCO guys ranked right below him who still haven't seen the field of a four year school. According to Bill Buchallter, USF had the #6 RB class in the NATION that year after signing day. Wilson didn't qualify until MAY. We didn't have a scholarship left for him at the time. Even Carlton Williams was told he would have to wait until January to enroll. Over the summer AFTER kids didn't qualify a scholarship did open up for Williams and he was able to enroll. By that time Wilson was already in NC. Wilson HIMSELF says we didn't have a schollie available for him in MAY. Carter wasn't cut by the Gators. He walked off there and LEFT on his own accord. He evidently had second thoughts about them as he did about us. We don't have a scholarship for him NOW and he knows it. If he wants to walk on here then fine.

Just goes to show you how GREAT OUR coach is if he could whip their asses and their coach with an undermanned, unheralded bunch of players. I wonder how Huggy Bear would have done if he had OUR guys last year.

Well, we did BEAT Them pretty good at the end of last year, and maybe some of those players would rather spend their time in Sunny Florida playing for a young up and coming coach, then freezing their asses off in Ohio! We could see a reversal of fortunes.

They probably waited until right before school starts so that recruits couldn't easily transfer out.

Probably, but the new guy in charge of the web site is: Scott Kuykendall http://gobulls.usf.edu/Sports/News.asp?i=1693&s=USF

Jim...THAT link I knew about. Now see if you can find a simple schedule with results for any team for previous years. They should have it set up on the schedule/results page for each sport to CHOOSE previous years for viewing.

Good question. I can't even find schedule/results from last year for the various athletic teams any more. You should e-mail the new guy in charge.

Flashback: Something's in the air One of nation's deepest receiving corps has QB Marquel Blackwell in line for a monster season. By PETE YOUNG, Times Staff Writer © St. Petersburg Times published August 29, 2002 [Times photo: Bill Serne] A key to the offense is the health of speedy DeAndrew Rubin, who already has hamstring trouble. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marquel Blackwell steps to the line of scrimmage and scans the field. The fifth-year senior quarterback, fourth-year starter, in his second year as the centerpiece of South Florida's four-receiver, shotgun, no-huddle offense, looks around and sees one thing: Opportunity. Make that plural: a cornucopia of opportunities. Wide to one side is 6-foot-5, 232-pound junior Huey Whittaker. He had a school-record 52 catches last season. In the slots are speed merchants DeAndrew Rubin and Hugh Smith, a pair of 4.4-second 40-yard burners who combined for 74 catches for 1,007 yards in 2001, even though Rubin was injured much of the year. Wide to the other side is Chris Iskra, who has 55 career receptions entering his junior season. Life's tough, eh Marquel? "Depth, and quality of depth, we've got the best receiving corps in the country," Blackwell said. "If they get open, then they'll be happy. That's what I tell them." Rotating into the game at inside receiver are veterans Ryan Hearn (25 catches in 2001) and Brian Fisher (16 catches), plus ultra-athletic tight end Tim Jones. [Times photo: Bill Serne] 6-5 Huey Whittaker returns after setting a school record with 52 receptions. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In reserve on the outside are ready-to-erupt junior Elgin Hicks, sophomore Bruce Gipson and precocious freshmen Joe Bain, Willie Williams, Marcus Edwards and C.J. Lewis. Rubin plays outside, also. "We've got more players who can step in and are ready to step up," Iskra said. "The defense can't keep track." USF averaged 35.2 points a game and more than 400 yards of offense last season. With every skill position player returning, many are expecting bigger numbers this season. Before last season, USF's new offensive coordinator Mike Hobbie and passing game coordinator Rod Smith installed the no-huddle, shotgun and added the extra receiver to most formations. Smith has said the biggest period of improvement in such an offense occurs between the first and second seasons. In other words, he expects a bigger leap this season than last. "We picked it up well last year, and we've just fine-tuned it and put in some new packages," Iskra said. "If you do your routes, do your job, someone will be open. If everyone does their job, someone will be open on every play. And Marquel will find them." Multiple talented receivers running precise routes, a cool-as-a-smoothie quarterback and a piping tempo are the keys to the Bulls' express attack. [Times photo: Bill Serne] Chris Iskra says defenses have a hard time keeping up with USF’s fast-paced attack. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Between plays, USF quickly shuttles in new receiving personnel. There is no huddle. The formation and play are hand-signaled in from the sideline, and the whole offense sees it and immediately lines up. Blackwell can change the play when he sees the defense. When center Alex Herron is ready, he shotgun snaps the ball and Blackwell usually gets rid of it within two seconds. Then the Bulls race to the next play. Whew. "The fast-tempo, the fast pace of our offense, it's hard for defenses to keep up," Iskra said. "Defenses are in the palm of our hands. They have to keep rotating in personnel to adjust." With a polished quarterback comfortable with the system and an overkill of veteran playmakers, the inevitable result is big numbers. Blackwell, though, doesn't pay the statistics any attention. "You might throw for 5,000 yards, but down the line someone will come along and do better," Blackwell said. "But winning, that stays with you." Blackwell threw for 2,882 yards and rushed for 241 last season, but the only numbers he remembers are wins, losses, and interceptions. He has no idea how many yards or completions he threw for in his breakout game at Pittsburgh last season, a 35-26 USF win. But he knows he threw one interception. "Actually, it was on the first play," Blackwell said. "I tried to force it backside." Blackwell may shun the numbers (for the record, he was 37 of 65 for 343 yards and four touchdowns at Pitt), but numbers define sports. If Rod Smith is right, if Year 2 in the offense shows the most improvement, then Blackwell will be presiding over a frighteningly prolific attack. Two seasons ago, Blackwell threw for 2,016 yards and USF scored 26.2 points a game. Last season those figures rose by 866 yards and 9.0 points. With the same improvement, Blackwell would throw for 3,748 yards and USF would score about 44 points a game. Of course, it's not that simple. There are many other factors at work. First, the schedule is tougher. Oklahoma, Arkansas and Southern Miss have defenses that are likely to keep USF's productivity down. Second, Rubin, a threat to go all the way every time he touches the ball, has been hobbled by a hamstring and is injury prone. For much of last season he was hampered by turf toe. And Whittaker, whose freakish physique induces fear in the biggest and best cornerbacks, strained a knee ligament on Aug. 17 and could be slow to get going. Third, the offensive line, while promising, is very young. Of the six linemen expected to play a significant amount, just two, sophomores Alex Herron and Derrick Sarosi, have a year's starting experience. The other three starters likely will be two freshmen, Chris Carothers and Shelly Houston, and sophomore Levi Newton. Top backup Frank Davis is a freshman. With Blackwell's quick release, elusiveness and poise, the offensive line's growing pains are more likely to be felt in the running game. USF uses one back almost exclusively and returns its three leading rushers, Clenton Crossley (380 yards), Quinton Callum (338 ) and Vince Brewer (325). Crossley and Callum have been battling for the No. 1 spot this fall with Georgia transfer DeJuan Green. Redshirt freshman Billy Henderson also has been impressive. And as would be expected, all are adept at catching passes out of the backfield. Add it all up, and Blackwell is at the helm of what could be one of the best offenses in Division I. Just check the numbers -- even if Blackwell won't. "Operating this offense, it's like a quarterback's dream," Blackwell said. "I've just got to pull the trigger." http://www.sptimes.com/2002/08/29/Sports/Something_s_in_the_ai.shtml Hopefully, DéjàVu! I could live with 9-2 this year or next.  ;D

Iskra was a big loss. Nobody tried harder than him. I wonder what ever happened to him.

Jackson is a LOT better than Whittaker! HE doesn't drop balls he SHOULD catch.

That was the knock on Huey Whittaker as well.

I'm pretty sure there will be internet broadcasts of all football games on the USF official athletic site as usual.

Maybe they think Gino is coming back. I hate to break it to them, but he aint. ;D

Figures! ;D

Wasn't it JACKSON who caught ALL the TD passes in the scrimmage from different QB'S?

First of all they have a big time fan base just from Basketball alone and they have countless more alumni than us. But most importantly, Conn is a very rich state and I'm sure their fans have more $$$$ to spend on entertainment.

Maybe Jackson is just better.

Actually, quite a few. First JUCO's are notoriously academic risks, or they wouldn't have gone there in the first place. Second, JUCO's are playing against weaker competition than guys transferring from BCS conferences, so their actual talent level is harder to judge. Third, and most importantly, is that the transfers have a chance to really learn the system by practicing with the team for one year. I'm sure there are other differences, but I don't want to wrack my brain.

Yeah we need some depth also at pooch punting. ÂÂ

http://www.thebullspen.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=news;action=display;num=1124628573;start=4#4

Aug 21, 2005 It's been discussed on here in at least one other thread.

Next year will come soon enough and we'll have some guys who we know can play. They'll get to practice with the team RIGHT away and be ready. Look at Denson, he sat out one year and now is already #1.