USF-North Carolina Game Notes (Trib)

[E.T.]

USF-North Carolina Game Notes

Published: Oct 15, 2006

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - University of South Florida sophomore K Mike Benzer has lost his starting job for the second time in two seasons.

The ineffective kicker was benched by USF coach Jim Leavitt after missing a 46-yard field goal and an extra point in the Bulls' win at North Carolina. Benzer was replaced by Robinson freshman Delbert Alvarado, who made both extra points and a 26-yard field goal.

Benzer, who had made all 21 extra points this season until missing after USF's third TD, is 2-for-9 in his career on field goal attempts.

After missing all three field goals last season, Benzer was replaced by Kyle Bronson. However, Bronson transferred to Texas State in the spring when Leavitt wouldn't put him on scholarship. Bronson's departure gave Benzer his job back until Saturday.

CURSE IS OVER: USF senior Stephen Nicholas made his first career interception and it marked the first interception by a USF linebacker since Devon Davis' interception against Louisville on Oct. 4, 2003, a span of 37 games.

"Snake finally broke the curse," USF junior LB Ben Moffitt said. "He just fell back and was like 'I caught the ball.' He was so happy."

Nicholas said he didn't see the ball until the last second. "I was trying to find the receiver and ball was right there," said Nicholas, who added five tackles.

BACK TO BACK: Ricky Ponton (101 yards vs. UNC) and Benjamin Williams (108 yards vs. UConn) became USF's first set of teammates to rush for 100 yards in consecutive games in eight years since Rafael Williams (122 yards vs. James Madison on Sept. 16, 1998) and Marquel Blackwell (132 yards at Baylor on Sept. 23, 1998).

NOT DONE YET: USF NT Richard Clebert, who Leavitt had said would be out for the season with a groin injury, played Saturday at UNC. Clebert, who had been out since playing against UCF Sept. 16, finished with two tackles.

WR Amp Hill made his first career start for Marcus Edwards, who did not play because of a concussion.

BIG EAST BULLIES: USF's victory against Carolina gave the Big East a 5-3 record against the Atlantic Coast Conference. USF, Rutgers, West Virginia, Louisville and Pittsburgh each went 1-0 against the ACC, while Cincinnati, Syracuse and UConn were 0-1.

ODDS AND ENDS: OG Jake Griffin, who broke his foot against UCF Sept. 16, had his cast removed. Leavitt said he's "hoping" Griffin can return against Cincinnati Oct. 22. … FS Danny Verpaele recorded his first career interception in the second quarter, setting up a USF TD drive. …Tar Heels senior LB Larry Edwards of Wharton, featured on the cover of North Carolina's game program, had nine tackles and forced a fumble. … USF committed a season-low four penalties for 36 yards Saturday.

Brett McMurphy