USF - Inside Slant (USA Today)

[E.T.]

FWIW ... they still have our old logo  

INSIDE SLANT

South Florida is stepping back into its past with the hope of moving forward into the future when it goes to the Papajohns.com Bowl in Birmingham, Ala.

The past is a meeting with former Conference USA foe East Carolina in the Bulls' second bowl game in as many years out of the Big East.

The future is what it would mean to this program to win a bowl game. USF lost to North Carolina State last year in its first bowl trip, and Bulls coach Jim Leavitt doesn't think going bowling is truly special unless you bring home a victory.

"We've never won a bowl game, so we are going to do our best to do that this year," he said.

USF was a perfect 3-0 against East Carolina from 2002-04 and now heads to what was previously called the Birmingham Bowl. USF is looking to finish 9-4 after upsetting West Virginia in the regular-season finale.

Matt Grothe, the best rookie in the Big East this season, leads the way to Birmingham after being responsible for 75 percent of the USF offense during the regular season.

Speaking of West Virginia, a common opponent for these teams, the Bulls beat the Mountaineers in Morgantown and East Carolina (7-5) lost at home.

"That will be a heck of a game," said Leavitt. "We will have to play our best to have a shot at beating them. It will be a heck of a deal."

NOTES, QUOTES

TURNING POINT: South Florida, fresh off a Sunday night loss at Cincinnati, beat Pittsburgh at home to start a 3-1 November that produced the 8-4 final regular-season mark.

BOWL HISTORY: All-time bowl record  0-1. Last appearance  Meineke Car Care Bowl, 2005, vs. North Carolina State, lost 14-0.

MATCHUP TO WATCH: The East Carolina defense against the multi-facted Matt Grothe, who has accounted for 75 percent of the USF offense and has been responsible for 23 touchdowns this season.

PRO PROSPECTS: LB Stephen Nicholas  The leader of a talented LB corps won't be the only Bull to "play on Sunday."

LB Patrick St. Louis  A longer shot than Nicholas, but the kid will fight for a chance.

OT Thed Watson  Being kicked off the team won't help his chances, but Watson showed flashes of potential.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I don't have anything against Conference USA or any conference. I'm happy to be playing in a bowl game. After you get your first taste you want to go to a bowl again."  USF LB Patrick St. Louis on going to play an old Conference USA foe in the Papajohns.com Bowl.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

GAME SNAPSHOT: South Florida vs. East Carolina, Papajohns.com Bowl, Birmingham, Dec. 23  USF QB Matt Grothe is one of the special young players in the country. This will be quite a stage for him, as many outside the state of Florida get their first real look at the gifted playmaker.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Matt Grothe just wanted the chance, and once he got it, he passed for 2,495 yards, ran for 607 yards and was responsible for 23 touchdowns for the Bulls this season.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The Bulls and their talented group of linebackers have the 24th-ranked overall defense in the country; No. 26 against the pass and 41 against the run.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: Ean Randolph, who had a strong year for the Bulls, is the No. 6 punt returner in the country (including a 76-yard TD return). Taurus Johnson has averaged 22.6 yards per kickoff return. The kicking game has been shaky, but Delbert Alvarado has the leg. P Justin Teachey has a 38.4-yard average and dropped eight inside the 20.

COACHING EDGE: Jim Leavitt is proving he's a winner at any level. His name has come up in chatter about openings. "I have no interest in going anywhere," he says.

ECU coach Skip Holtz's name has been bandied about, too.

INTANGIBLES: The Bulls went into West Virginia and won, adding more confidence to an already confident bunch. If the Holtz talk continues, that can't help East Carolina.

ROSTER REPORT: A team that dealt with suspension problems is pretty healthy and should get healthier in the time leading up to the Dec. 23 game.

LB Patrick St. Louis is expected to play in his college finale after overcoming injury issues.