Around the Big East: South Florida

[Ricky the Bull]

SOUTH FLORIDA

INSIDE SLANT

Focus. Focus. Focus.

With three games remaining and a possible BCS bowl bid at stake, South Florida coach Jim Leavitt is pleading with his players not to look past Saturday's Big East game against struggling Cincinnati (4-4, 2-3) at Raymond James Stadium.

"Cincinnati beat the dog out of us last year," said Leavitt, recalling a 45-23 loss. "They ran us out of their stadium. We know we have to play one great game to have a chance against them."

South Florida (5-3, 3-1) sits in second place in the Big East and can win the conference title and lock up a BCS bowl bid by winning its last three games against Cincinnati, Connecticut, and 13th-ranked West Virginia.

But the Bulls, who beat Louisville and played competitive games against both Penn State and Miami, still haven't captured much national attention. South Florida received one vote in this week's AP poll and zero votes in the Coaches' poll.

"We're not getting any respect around the nation and our kids feed off that," co-defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said. "There's no doubt about it."

NOTES, QUOTES

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: South Florida is running the ball as well as any team in the country. The Bulls, led by speedy QB Pat Julmiste and rugged RB Andre Hall, rank second in the Big East and 10th in the nation in rushing with 234.8 yards per game. The passing attack, which is averaging 129 yards per game, has almost become an afterthought.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: South Florida's defense has been underrated all year. The Bulls quietly rank second in the Big East and 14th in the nation in scoring defense (17.9 points per game). South Florida also leads the Big East with 23 takeaways (12 fumbles, 11 interceptions).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "People will pat us on the back [if we win], but if we don't get focused it doesn't matter. We're just at the halfway point of the Big East schedule. It will take a huge effort against Cincinnati."  Coach Jim Leavitt on the importance of not looking past Saturday's game against Cincinnati.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

THIS WEEK'S GAME; Cincinnati at South Florida, Nov. 19  South Florida will be after its third straight Big East win Saturday when the Bulls host Cincinnati at Raymond James Stadium. South Florida is 2-0 at home this season, while Cincinnati is 1-3 on the road.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Andre Hall  The senior was named the co-Big East Offensive Player of the Week for the second straight week after rushing for 222 yards and three touchdowns against Syracuse. He leads the Big East with 990 yards rushing.

QB Pat Julmiste  His passing stats (85-for-163 for 952 yards) aren't the best, but the junior still ranks fifth in the Big East in total offense with 1,264 yards.

SS Johnnie Jones  The senior has picked off two passes this season, one of which he returned for a touchdown, and has made 35 tackles.

WR Amarri Jackson  He didn't catch a pass last week, but still leads South Florida receivers with 16 catches for 189 yards.

LB Ben Moffitt  The sophomore leads the Bulls and ranks third in the Big East with 63 tackles (33 solo). He also has two sacks.

ROSTER REPORT: South Florida reported no major injuries.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bigeast/home.htm

[bulls96go]

please, just win!

[usfbullgirl30]

isn't it 3-0 at home?? Or did I miss something?  

[Matt]

wow i didnt realize PJ was 5th in total offense.  that is pretty good considering how much people get on him around here.