Feeling the Heat

[Brad]

The Daily Campus

FEELING THE HEAT

Huskies To Open Big East Schedule At USF

Zac Boyer

Posted: 10/6/06

M. J. Estep couldn't stand to do anything Saturday after the Huskies lost, 41-17, to Navy in what ended up being their worst-ever loss in Rentschler Field history.

He didn't even want to watch the film from the game Sunday afternoon and said it was tough to sit down with the rest of the secondary and keep his eyes on the screen.

As soon as Monday rolled around, however, Estep knew the team couldn't dwell on getting beat by the triple option much like they had after the season opener against Rhode Island Aug. 31. They had to look past the loss and prepare for this weekend's Big East opener, which will see the Huskies open their third season in the conference against South Florida in Tampa, Fla. Saturday night at 7 p.m.

"The fact that it's over with and we're moving on is great," Estep said. "I'm just glad we don't have another bye week where we have to sit and wait and hear about how terrible we are."

The Huskies allowed 605 total offensive yards to the Midshipmen and gave up 464 rushing yards in the loss, causing the team to fall to 2-2 on the season. That futility overshadowed the solid play by quarterback Matt Bonislawski, who, in making his first start of the season, threw for 176 yards and two touchdowns.

Edsall originally made the change before the game because of former starting quarterback D.J. Hernandez's penchant for turnovers, which was highlighted by a fumble in the end zone against Indiana Sept. 23.

South Florida will be entering the game coming off a heartbreaking 22-20 loss to Rutgers on national television Sept. 29. The offense stormed down the field but saw their chance to tie the game slip out of their hands as time expired when a pass on a two-point conversion sailed out of wide receiver Amp Hill's reach.

"Nobody likes to lose," said head coach Jim Leavitt. "The guys went out and it was kind of like a business approach. Last night we worked, practiced, and nobody's real happy - I'm not, the coaches aren't. You're happy when you win, and when you lose, you're not happy."

While the Bulls (3-2) run a more standard offense, they're still a threat to explode out of the backfield. Running back Benjamin Williams has been solid starting in place of the suspended Ricky Ponton and injured Moise Plancher, while redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Grothe, who took over under center when original starter Pat Julmiste got hurt at the beginning of the season, has led the team in both passing and rushing yards.

Head coach Randy Edsall praised Grothe's speed, saying the team will be scouting him as if he's a running back, but hopes to exploit his youth and inexperience Saturday night.

"Sometimes with a young quarterback, there are certain things that you have to do to him that they haven't seen and you want to make sure to put pressure on him," Edsall said. "You can see that some people have put some pressure on him and caused him to throw some interceptions and things."

The Huskies will also have to prepare for a strong receiving cast that includes Ean Randolph, who has averaged 51 receiving yards a game and caught three touchdowns in five games this season.

"He's a pretty good player," Leavitt said. "He can catch the ball well and tries to keep people from tackling him and tries to run as fast as he can. He really is. It's kind of fun."

In preparation for this week's contest, Edsall has made the team practice indoors all week and had the temperature cranked up to 85 degrees, setting the tone for the humidity likely to set in Tampa Saturday night. His hope is that the team will be better prepared for the game than they would playing in the cool October air.

"We can't reproduce the humidity up here, but we can have the heat," Edsall said.

The team will be relatively healthy for the trip as well, with linebacker Dontá Moore expected to play despite suffering a broken arm against Navy Saturday. Tight end Dan Murray, who returned to action last week, and defensive end Jason Ward, who has been out all season with a broken foot, will also make appearances against South Florida.

In addition to having 16 players from the state of Florida making their homecoming this weekend, including Tampa resident Moore, Edsall said the coaching staff would be all over the state today in order to recruit players.

The Huskies will return after the game for their final non-conference match-up of the season against Army next weekend. The game against South Florida can be seen on WTNH.

Link

[JoeB]

Two point conversion sailed out of Amp Hill's reach??  It hit him square on his number 6.  Grothe couldn't have handed him the ball better.  Geez.

[BrownBullsFan]

Ben Williams has been solid in place of suspended Ricky Ponton....Really?

[BullDoug]

Ben Williams has been solid in place of suspended Ricky Ponton....Really?

If Williams has been "solid" I hope UCONN has a "solid" outing tomorrow nite.  

[Bull Martin]

Ben Williams has been solid in place of suspended Ricky Ponton....Really?

If Williams has been "solid" I hope UCONN has a "solid" outing tomorrow nite.  

;D ;D ;D That comment gave me a good chuckle

[E.T.]

Not real informative . . .