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[E.T.]

USF-East Carolina Game Notes

Published: Dec 24, 2006

Jenkins Considering NFL Draft Options

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - USF junior DB Mike Jenkins may have played his final game for the Bulls.

Jenkins sent his paperwork to the NFL advisory committee, which will give Jenkins an idea where he would be selected in the NFL draft.

Jenkins said if he's projected as a first-day pick (first three rounds), he will not return for his senior year. If he's projected to go after the third round, he's undecided what he'll do.

"I'll talk to my family and figure it out," said Jenkins, who expects to hear from the NFL next week.

Jenkins, who had started every game the past two seasons, did not start in Saturday's Papajohns.com Bowl because of an ankle injury suffered in practice this week. He was replaced in the starting lineup by junior Ryan Gilliam, making his first start.

GROTHE HURT: USF starting QB Matt Grothe did not play in the second half after suffering a broken right fibula in the first half. Grothe threw for 81 yards, increasing his school freshman record to 2,576 yards.

SENIORS' SWAN SONG: This was the final game for nine USF seniors: TE Will Bleakley, LS Ryan Bordeau, WR S.J. Green, TE Devin Gordon, QB Pat Julmiste, LB Stephen Nicholas, WR Ean Randolph, LB Patrick St. Louis and RB Walt Smith. In their four-year careers, USF was 26-21.

HEAD COUNT: USF sold about 5,100 tickets of its 10,000 allotment, so the Bulls will have to pay about $147,000 to the bowl. Last year, USF sold about the same number to the Meineke Car Care Bowl, USF assistant AD John Gerdes said. East Carolina sold about 6,500 tickets.

BACK IN BIRMINGHAM: Before the inaugural Papajohns.com Bowl, Birmingham last hosted the All-American Bowl from 1986-1990. USF running backs coach Carl Franks was an assistant at Duke in the 1989 game, which wasn't played in the most ideal conditions as a winter storm hit.

"It was cold, very cold," Franks said. "We had to bus to Tuscaloosa to practice."

The Blue Devils lost to Texas Tech 49-21 on Dec. 28, 1989, in what was Steve Spurrier's final game as Duke's coach.

"He had told the team before the game he was going to Florida," Franks said. "He had a chance to see some guys before he left. It made for an interesting situation. I don't know if given that situation again, he would do it that way or not."

RECORD START: Nicholas played in his 50th game and made his 45th start, both USF records. The previous mark of 44 starts was shared by linemen Joey Sipp (1997-2000) and Derrick Sarosi (2001-04).

BOWL GIFTS: A digital camera was the main gift in the Papajohns.com Bowl gift packages for the players.

Each team member also received a backpack, sweatshirt, commemorative mini-helmet, sunglasses, a year subscription to ESPN The Magazine, ESPN trivia game and a watch. The total package was valued at $450, below the NCAA limit of $500.

ODDS AND ENDS: USF's Ben Williams matched his season rushing TD total of two - in the first quarter. Williams' 16-yard TD run on USF's first play from scrimmage was the second time the Bulls had scored on their first play. Grothe had a 16-yard TD run on USF's first play against Connecticut. … Bleakley, Nicholas, St. Louis and Julmiste were USF's pre-game captains. … In the fourth quarter, ECU's coaches head sets went out, so USF's staff had to discontinue using their head sets. Offensive coordinator Rod Smith, who calls plays from the press box, ran down to the field for the final 15 minutes. … East Carolina fell to 0-10 all-time in the state of Alabama, including 0-4 in Birmingham. The Pirates have lost all three bowl trips to Alabama.

Brett McMurphy

http://www.tbo.com/sports/bulls/MGBRR7FR2WE.html

Well, I am figuring Jenkins out of the 2007 lineup. Best of Luck Mike and THANX for your play!