Why no fireworks for team entrance?

[bullman3]

I was hoping that was a new thing this year because it looked great and seemed like a great way to welcome the team to the field.  Last night, nothing at all.  Was that just a first game thing?

[Bull Martin]

The fireworks were really sweet last week.  I forgot about them, but now I'm sad they weren't there this week.

[WoolyBully]

I would assume that it was a 'home opener' sort of thing, but can't rule out that there was some sort of stipulation about what could - and could not be done - due to the Bucs home opener the next day.

You just never know. Might be back in play for homecoming, etc.

[Economics_Nerd82]

I keep hearing rumors that there is going to be an actual bull at the game... especially when the teams run out on to the field. Anyone heard anything about that?

[Guest AstroBull]

Next year 82

[WoolyBully]

I keep hearing rumors that there is going to be an actual bull at the game... especially when the teams run out on to the field. Anyone heard anything about that?

This is from Deadspin http://www.deadspin.com/sports/mascots/:

So, with all of the trouble mascots have had in the last week, it's no surprise that the University of South Florida is opting for a real animal -- however they're keeping their googly-eyed, fur-lined one named "Rocky" as well. The new " Rocky" the bull is a baby Brahman and he's currently being tested out as an additional mascot to help fire up the supposedly staid crowd at Raymond James Stadium.

The idea for the bull was put forth by USF alumnus John Massaro, a 1989 graduate and owner of four Beef O'Brady franchises in the Tampa area, who said it's been a dream of his to see a live bull charge out onto the field. "I go to the games, I don't see the excitement. This bull will bring us to the next level," he said.

And by "next level", of course, he means loosing an excitable beast on unsuspecting co-eds to potentially fire them up/trample them. Welcome to the big time, USF!

rahman Bull Mascot is the Real Thing [Tampa Tribune]

Chicago Bulls Mascots, Just One Step Ahead of the Law [Deadspin]

..and this from the Trib link:

Brahman bull mascot is the real thing

BY PHILIP MORGAN

THE TAMPA TRIBUNE

TAMPA -- The University of South Florida's newest football recruit has built-in cleats and should tip the scales at close to a ton.

Meet Rocky, the baby Brahman from Riverview. If all goes as planned, he will charge out next year as the real live mascot of the USF Bulls.

"Everybody's excited about it," said Tom Veit, assistant athletic director. "Everybody thinks it's a great idea."

Details such as care, feeding and liability insurance are yet to be worked out, he said.

And it will take some training to keep Rocky from turning homecoming into a personal stampede.

"We think we have the right calf," said Riverview rancher Robert Newsome, 43.

Newsome, who did not attend USF, donated the calf to the school after listening to a pitch from USF alumnus John Massaro.

Massaro, a 1989 graduate and owner of four Beef O'Brady franchises in the Tampa Bay area, said he has long dreamed of seeing a live bull run onto the field at Raymond James Stadium as the school's mascot.

"I go to the games, I don't see the excitement. This bull will bring us to the next level," he said.

The new Rocky will not threaten the livelihood of the current Rocky, a person dressed in a bull costume, Massaro and Veit said.

Each has advantages, Massaro pointed out.

"There are a lot of things a real bull can't do, such as back flips."

[snarling Bull]

The fireworeks were great.  It we coulldn't have them because of the Bucs, just another problem with games at Ray Jay, not to mention the Bucs Flag in the middle of the field!!!!!!!!

[MikeG]

I was down on the field with the fireworks going off--

If I had to guess, the problem was all the crap the firewaorks sprayed all over the people around them. I had hot embers land on my skn and was digging some ash out of my hair for the next day or so.

Look sgreat but it's messy and slightly dangerous. Maybe they can find something similar that is less problematic.

I would have to doubt that it's just about the Bucs being jerks or something. The actual debris was not noticeable on the ground.

[bullman3]

then do like um does and spray 5-10 fire extinguishers.

[MikeG]

perhaps we can get that baby brahman Bull to pull a schooner