Bulls Win 2nd Vs. Nonconference BCS Foe (Trib)

[E.T.]

Bulls Win 2nd Vs. Nonconference BCS Foe

By BRETT McMURPHY The Tampa Tribune

Published: Oct 15, 2006

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - In the final minutes of the University of South Florida's 37-20 victory at North Carolina, the contingent of USF fans in the northeast corner of Kenan Stadium began a chant to remind the few remaining UNC fans what they had just witnessed.

"Big East football. Big East football."

That's right. The Big East isn't just a basketball power anymore. Supposedly decimated by defections to the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big East is the nation's only conference with three undefeated nationally ranked teams and - don't look now - a USF team that's on a nice roll. And improving by the second.

"When we play like we can," USF quarterback Matt Grothe said, "I don't think anyone can stop us."

The Tar Heels (1-5) certainly couldn't. USF (5-2) rolled up 417 yards of offense in equaling its best start in school history. The victory also was only USF's second in program history in 12 nonconference games against BCS teams. USF's only other nonleague BCS win was 2001 against Pittsburgh.

"There was talk we needed to beat a different BCS conference team [besides the Big East]," USF junior linebacker Ben Moffitt said. "It was something USF needs to do. We finally got it done, and it does feel good to beat these guys being in the ACC."

USF sophomore running back Ricky Ponton, in his first game back from a six-game suspension, rushed for a career-high 101 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.

"He [Ponton] said he's ready to go," USF tight end Cedric Hill said. "He told us when he gets the ball in his hands, he's going to try to make plays and that's what he did."

Wide receiver Jackie Chambers and defensive lineman Josh Julmiste also returned from their six-game suspensions for a second positive drug test. Chambers, who played special teams, had one reception for 6 yards and Julmiste had two tackles.

USF coach Jim Leavitt prohibited all three players from talking to the media after the game.

"You've got to remember these guys haven't played in six weeks," Leavitt said. "It's hard to come back in your first game, so I didn't have high expectations for any of them."

Even though Grothe, who played with a lingering turf toe injury, estimated he was only about 80 percent, it was more than enough as USF raced to a 20-10 halftime lead. Taurus Johnson scored on a 19-yard reverse, S.J. Green caught a 21-yard TD from Grothe and Ponton scored on a 1-yard run.

"We know we needed to stop them early," said Grothe, who was 14 of 21 for 158 yards and carried 12 times for 38 yards. "If we could put some points on the board against them early, they would end up falling apart. Whenever someone jumps off to a good lead, they just fall apart."

UNC did just that. In the third quarter, the Bulls scored on their opening two possessions - TD runs by Ben Williams and Ponton - to build a 34-13 cushion. UNC closed within 34-20 with 33 seconds remaining in the third quarter, but the Bulls iced the game with an impressive 7-minute, 23-second drive capped by a 26-yard field goal by Delbert Alvarado, who replaced the ineffective Mike Benzer.

Three of USF's touchdown drives started in UNC territory following interceptions by Stephen Nicholas and Danny Verpaele and a UNC failed onside kick.

"The turnovers are big for the offense to give them momentum and take it from the other team," Verpaele said.

Late in the second quarter, UNC converted a Grothe fumble into a 29-yard field goal by Connor Barth, cutting USF's lead to 20-10 at the half. But then the Bulls pulled away after halftime.

"Well," UNC coach John Bunting said, "it was a beautiful day until the game started."