VA_Bull

Wake 11 Buckley - 18 Gransberry - 12 67.5%

Found this article on line. Everybody noticed no pizza. But check out the concession operator's excuse as to the long lines, if this isn't the biggest pile of toro-poo I don't know what is! http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/1167215087194340.xml&coll=2 Sponsor to dish up pizza to satisfy fans next year Wednesday, December 27, 2006 JON SOLOMON News staff writer The game dubbed the Pizza Bowl promises to sell pizza at next year's bowl game in Birmingham. The biggest faux pas from the inaugural Papajohns.com Bowl last Saturday was the absence of pizza sold inside Legion Field. Papa John's said Tuesday its late date becoming title sponsor and logistical issues prevented sales in the stadium. "Clearly, the biggest glitch is we want to have our product at the stadium, and we're in discussions to make it happen," said Chris Sternberg, Papa John's senior vice president of corporate communications. "I think there's a mandate from the folks in Birmingham and the fans. We talked to the mayor (Bernard Kincaid) at the game. We told the mayor the fans want pizza. He said, absolutely. We don't expect there to be an issue next year. I think the concessionaire is willing to sell." Legion Field's concessions are operated by Yarbrough Companies, Inc., which could not be reached for comment. "Based on conversations I had with Yarbrough, they're more than willing to sell Papa John's pizza next year," said Bo Kerr, the bowl's manager of sales and marketing. "Between branding and marketing the game, (selling pizza) wasn't at the top of Papa John's priorities this year." Papa John's became title sponsor in mid-November and said it did not pursue discussions with Yarbrough for this year's game. "When I talked to our franchise in Birmingham, they didn't think they could put together the logistics to make good, high-quality pizza, which is what we're known for," Sternberg said. Papa John's expects to pay commissions fees between 15 percent and 25 percent, Sternberg said. Once that happens, Papa John's will still have to determine how to cook its pizza at the stadium. "That's why we needed some time," Sternberg said. "I don't think we can cook on site. Legion Field doesn't have the type of pizza ovens we need. We're going to have to cook in local trailers and from local Papa John's." Papa John's and other pizza chains currently don't deliver to the Smithfield community that surrounds the stadium, partly due to safety concerns. A mobile trailer allowed Papa John's to sell its product outside Legion Field. Papa John's donated 20 to 30 pizzas at Yarbrough's request to suite holders "as a goodwill gesture," Sternberg said. But the lack of pizza inside the stadium was obvious to even Papa John himself, the company's founder, John Schnatter. "When we were down on the field, we had several fans say, `We love your product. We wish we could buy it at the stadium,'" Sternberg said. "(Schnatter) looked me and I said, `John, we couldn't do it in time.'" Papa John's has one year left on its two-year contract with the bowl and an option for a third. Sternberg said the relationship is "off to a good start" because the field looked great and the announced attendance (32,023) exceeded expectations. Meanwhile, bowl officials will evaluate its entire operation. Kerr said two common complaints from fans focused on concessions and transportation. Some fans were unhappy with the food selection and length of lines at concession stands. Kerr said Yarbrough has a reputation of not being as prepared for events as it should. "We're kind of at the mercy of Yarbrough. We can't bring in outside vendors," Kerr said. "I think Yarbrough was a little skeptical of how many fans would show up. There were no concessions in the north end zone, and we seated fans on both sides of one side of the field. But long waits are typical when you go to sporting events." Kerr said out-of-town fans who stayed downtown complained about poor taxi and bus service. The bowl plans to encourage fans to rent cars in the future, and make sure taxi services are aware of the game. "I don't need to tell you public transportation in Birmingham isn't what it is in other cities," Kerr said. There was positive feedback from out-of-towners, too. Kerr said East Carolina fans raved about The Summit and Galleria malls. Legion Field's new turf was admired. And coaches and administrators from the schools, expecting there to be bumps from a first-year bowl, repeatedly remarked on how smoothly the week went. ESPN appears to like the game's date. Kerr said he expects next year's game to remain on the Saturday afternoon before Christmas, Dec. 22, 2007. "Daytime is the key," Kerr said. "It was noticeable that the local fans were leaving early with the game not being dramatic. A lot of that had to do with the holidays. The date provides local fans the chance to attend but not take up their whole day." E-mail: jsolomon@bhamnews.com

There was a table at the pep rally and one in the south end zone Saturday. T-shirts were OK, hats were the standard hat will a bowl logo ironed on. Go to Bulle Heaven's web site, or to GoUSFBulls.com and hit the USF gear button. They have shirts woth the scorte coming this week.

Amen, it was great to see Pat get the last home TD of the year. The only way Saturday would have been better was if PJ would have been in the victory formation taking a knee. Vaya con dios Pat.

I'll gladly pile on this one. When we win the crystal football some day, you guys will have a piece! Thanks, hope we see you guys on Sundays soon.

I'll second the motion on HOT. I was talking with an ECU alumn (while waiting for-freaking-ever on AirTran), one of the comments he made was our band blew them out of the water. Had a similar comment last year sitting in the stadium in Charlotte. HOT - you guys are 2 for 2 in the bowls.

I did see a highlight package on ESPNNEWS Sat night. Showed the fumble recoverly, Williams first TD and Grothe's pass. As much as you could expect for them humping the crap out of Bobby Knight.

Maybe a blessing if Grothe takes it easy with his newly healed leg in spring. Let the other QB's get lost of work in so we don't have to go into don't-loose-the-lead mode like we did in the 2nd half.

Nine wins against a much tougher schedule plus all the youth, you have to hand it to this team. Until next year???????????

USF 35-10 415 E. Randolph

What about all the OTHER camera angles?! Remember ESPN owns this game. I'm certain they'll take care of the camera angles. Or the cameraman and director will be doing Alaska high school football.

USF 70-49 Buckley - 22 Mattis - 12 62.7% I feel obligated to pick this game, Norfolk State is about 15 miles from my house.

Me and the offspring will be waiting for you bus people at the Doubletree. We be amped!

Breathalizer? I recommend a cold shower!

Matt, I'd like to get two late comers in, both adults buffett tickets. I'll get with my wife to make the PayPal later today from her account. Thanks, and great job setting this up. You da man!

Well I'm in row 58 of section 34. Looks more toward the middle than last year

Mine came in today and I'm in VA.

I'm also at the Doubletree, using my Hilton points. When I bought my tickets yesterday the ticket office said to expect a bunch USF folks in that hotel with one of the packages. Nice to be on friendly turf.

I didn't buy a package but will be at the Doubletree. Glad to be on "home" turf!

Let's just hope that's not where they put the Herd. Putting them behind the goalposts last year sucked.

Got my airline tickets!

Team MVP: Grothe Heart of the defense: LB corps - hope to see them on Sundays Heart of the offense: Grothe Your letter grade for the season and why: B - losses @ Cincy & Kansas kill the grade, 1-2 vs. Top 25 helps 3 Best plays from the season: Being out of town, I have limited viewing opportunities. But how about 15 plays, 71 yards, 7:23 off the clock at Chapel Hill. Only a FG, but one of the best drives you'll see all year. Give you a lot of confidence in the future. Your best fan experience or your point of pride as a fan: 2 years in the Big East, 2 bowls. Games that you attended: Rutgers, UNC and expect to be in B'ham Your take on next year: Pay Cincy back, WVU & UL @ RayJay on TV (please) Grothe breaks UL's all-conference QB streak, 9-10 wins

Found a page with the Harris voter list, it's a PDF document. Similar to story above, old coaches & AD's out of work, name retired players, and so forth. http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/bcspoll.asp

As much as I might hate the Gators, who has Michigan beaten? Notre Dame? Overrated. Wisconsin? Only other Big 10 team worth a ****, and not much of a **** there. At least UF won the SEC. But let's get the rematch because the SEC will have a s--fit and we may finally get the playoff system we need. That's why I kept rooting all day for more chaos.

Maybe JL wil be there next season, I see 8 who are history (Amato, Coker, etal)