Two USF Football Games Added to ESPN Schedule

[MatRatUSF]

(May 6, 2004) The University of South Florida’s transition to the BIG EAST Conference during its final season in Conference USA will be given national attention in bookend football games on ESPN this fall. The network provides a glimpse of USF’s future in the BIG EAST with its broadcast of the Bulls’ season opener against Pittsburgh in a game that will move to September 6 at 4:30 p.m. in Raymond James Stadium. Additionally, ESPN has picked up USF’s season and C-USA finale against Memphis, also in Raymond James Stadium.

The Memphis game presently remains scheduled for November 27 but could be moved to Friday November 26. The two games give USF three nationally televised games with the October 22 game at Louisville already slated for ESPN2.

“USF is moving into a new neighborhood and the increased level of national exposure is just one tangible benefit that comes with that,†says USF associate director of athletics Tom Veit. “These will be two very exciting holiday weekends for all of our fans to celebrate USF Football.

“We appreciate Pittsburgh’s cooperation in allowing for a date change, something that isn’t always easy to accomplish. We’re already enjoying an outstanding relationship with our future conference partner, and we are extremely excited about building upon that partnership.â€Â

The Pittsburgh game marks the return date of the Bulls’ 35-26 win at Heinz Field, September 8, 2001.

USF began its football program in 1996 and played its Inaugural Season in 1997. The Bulls became members of Conference USA in 2003 and finished in a three-way tie for third place. The Bulls are 51-26 in their seven seasons of football and make the move to the BIG EAST in 2005.

[Apis Bull]

Link?

[Apis Bull]

Nevermind.  I found it at GoUSFBulls.com

[Papa_Bull]

http://gobulls.usf.edu/Sports/News.asp?i=729&s=Football

[Papa_Bull]

From the Pitt site too:

Pittsburgh-South Florida Date Moves to Labor Day for ESPN Telecast

5/6/2004

The Panthers are already guaranteed no fewer than six national telecasts this year.

     The University of Pittsburgh’s season opener at South Florida, originally scheduled for Sept. 4, has been moved to Labor Day to be part of a national ESPN/ABC college football doubleheader.

     The Pittsburgh-South Florida game, nationally televised by ESPN on Sept. 6, will kick off at 4:30 p.m. at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, also home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  The game will precede ABC’s telecast of Miami and Florida State at 8 p.m.

     With the South Florida addition, the Panthers are already guaranteed no fewer than six nationally televised games this season. Other television clearances are expected to be added as the season progresses.

     South Florida, along with Louisville and Cincinnati, will join the Big East for the 2005 football season.

     “ESPN’s desire to televise this game is further evidence of our program’s strength and growth,†Pittsburgh athletic director Jeff Long said. “During this transition period it is even more important that we consider not only our program but the best interests of the Big East and our new members who join in 2005. This Labor Day national telecast will provide a tremendous spotlight for the new Big East Football Conference.â€Â

     “Already having six of our 11 games slated for national television places the University of Pittsburgh among the most visible in college football,†Long said. In addition to South Florida, the Panthers’ national television games include Nebraska (Sept. 18), Connecticut (Sept. 30), Boston College (Oct. 16), Notre Dame (Nov. 13) and West Virginia (Nov. 25).

     In an effort to help those fans who have already made arrangements based on the original Sept. 4 date, the University of South Florida Athletic Department, in cooperation with the Tampa Convention and Visitors Bureau, has pledged to assist people with changing their accommodations. Additionally, discounts will be provided for local attractions and golf courses. Interested parties should contact Stacee Salata of the USF Athletic Department at (813) 974-2125.

     “An important part of our agreement to move this game was South Florida’s and the Tampa Convention and Visitors Bureau’s pledge to assist our fans with changes to their travel plans,†Long said. “We are appreciative of their efforts and our fans’ dedication to traveling with the Panthers.â€Â

     “We appreciate the efforts of Pittsburgh and one of our future members to help make this happen,†Big East Conference commissioner Michael Tranghese said. “It's much easier to change a game time than it is to change the date of the game at this late juncture. The result is another national telecast for the Big East."

     Pittsburgh’s updated schedule with announced times and television clearances is listed below.

[TripleB]

smazz is going to be pissed............!!  

[BULLheaded]

days......or minutes?  ;D

for me this is a nice payback for what happened last year on halloween. That move made it impossible to see the homecoming game THIS move will actually allow me to see the Pitt game since the wife gave me the news of a wedding we have to go to friday night (in NEW YORK!)

I was totally bummed out but now...woooohoooo!!

[___ Eats It]

Mt. Smazza will soon erupt.

[Cubanbull]

i know it aggravates some people but i do think that they have given PLENTY of time to be able to help people schedule their trip.

[BullDoug]

Now now children behave.  You must respect your elder...posters.