Dell:  Healthy Bulls ready for title run

[Brad]

Healthy Bulls ready for title run

BY ALAN DELL

CORRESPONDENT

TAMPA -- South Florida is about as healthy and near full strength as any college football team can expect to be at this point of the season.

The Bulls (5-2, 1-1) have five games left, and all are Big East Conference matchups. They are in a position to get a quality bowl bid and make their presence felt in the race for the league title.

The return Saturday at North Carolina of Ricky Ponton, Josh Julmiste and Jackie Chambers from their six-game suspensions helps the team in numerous ways. An offense that is starting to find its rhythm and continuity is another reason for optimism.

USF head coach Jim Leavitt, not known to be generous with compliments, couldn't hide his enthusiasm following the Bulls 37-20 victory over North Carolina, despite handing out his share of criticism.

"I like where we are at," Leavitt said. "I liked this team from day one when we barely beat McNeese State. This is a very young team and these guys haven't played much football. Most of our guys are are freshmen and sophomores and we can build with this group."

Each of the three returning suspended players can significantly help the team in their own special way. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Ponton could be the most valuable.

With just under 11 minutes to go against North Carolina, the Bulls went on a 15-play, 71 yard drive that took 7:23 off the clock and ended with a field goal. It showed USF is now capable of running time off the clock in the fourth quarter instead of looking to quarterback Matt Grothe's arm to keep the ball.

In the final drive, Ponton had five carries for 30 yards and ran for two first downs. In the Bulls' first touchdown drive, he ran for three first downs on three carries. He gained 102 yards in 17 carries and didn't fumble, despite not playing at all this season.

In close losses to 19th-ranked unbeaten Rutgers and Kansas, the Bulls were in the game until the final play despite virtually no yardage from their running backs.

The return of nose tackle Richard Clebert from a groin injury and end Julmiste has bolstered a defensive front that is considered the weak link in the USF defense.

"At 6-6, 285 pounds, it's hard not to notice Julmiste," Leavitt said. "You put those two guys into our lineup and it really helps our front. Now we can get back into the flow of things on defense."

With one of the deepest corps of receivers in the Big East, Chambers presence might not seem significant. But he is a reliable punt returner, who doesn't drop the ball and makes good decisions. The Bulls believe you can never have enough receivers, pointing to Marcus Edwards, who didn't play Saturday because of a concussion and Ean Randolph, who was used sparingly due to a hip pointer.

Leavitt noted recently how his team has flown below the national radar because of losses to Rutgers and Kansas and close victories against FIU and Central Florida that would never win over any voters.

But the last two wins (Connecticut and NCU) have been dominating and the offense is getting tougher to stop because of its experience and the addition of Ponton.

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[Bull Martin]

This is why the BULLS win 4 of last 5!!!  8-)

[BULLfreak]

5 out of the last 5

[Velcro]

5 out of the last 5

[smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[GetAHobby]

I'll take 3 of 5...With a homecoming win, that will be TOUGH

[TyBull]

I'll take 3 of 5...With a homecoming win, that will be TOUGH

agree. We need to Stick it to Pitt.....

[BullAdrian]

Speaking of all of USF's opponents in rest of season, we consider USF defense is best and if we continue to control the ball and move chains good, we have good chance to beat them all.  It seems that UL and UWV have been ups and downs in their offense lately.  I am not worried about us getting some votes or not.  As long as we know they are more scared of us as season goes.

[Brad]

repaired

[chicky9914]

It's not like we ever get votes anyway! That's alright though...our guys play a great game when they're PO-ed (see UCF)

[E.T.]

Thanx for the repair  

This paper really has been printing great stuff about our Beloved BULLS !

Thanx 4 the post !

And with the bi-week coming, it is perfect timing for us to heal some wounds and be healthier for the final stretch.

Beat Cincy !

Go BULLS !!!